The Full Monty Tickets

The classic British movie “The Full Monty” will soon be brought to the stage of the New Players Theatre in London under the direction of Thom Southerland. The big screen setting of Sheffield is re-located to Buffalo New York, with the events transposed from one steel-working setting to another. It promises to offer a lot to audiences, even if they are already familiar on the movie upon which it is based.

We are introduced to our main characters as they find themselves unemployed in the steelworkers’ town of Buffalo, New York. But being out of work is tough on the lads and when they see how much their wives enjoy watching male strippers on a girls’ night out, they hatch a plan to make some money for themselves. But to perform ‘The Full Monty’, this group of friends are going to have to overcome a lot of anxieties and doubts about themselves, after all it takes a lot to get on a stage and take off your clothes. But with some courage and determination, these characters pull themselves together and aim to face the task head on, managing to become stronger individuals and making themselves into a strong team along the way.

The original British comedy film upon which this is based first hit cinema screens in 1997 and went on to garner huge success at the UK box office. Starring Robert Carlyle (“Trainspotting”), Mark Addy (“The Flintstones in Viva Rock Vegas”), Tom Wilkinson (“The Dark Knight”), William Snape, Steve Huison, Paul Barber and Hugo Speer, it has since been remembered as a classic. After its release, the movie managed to win a BAFTA Award for Best Film at the 1997 BAFTA Awards, whilst also being nominated for numerous Oscars, including Best Picture, Best Director, Best Original Screenplay and Best Original Music Score. It is regarded as one of the best British movies of all time by some.

Directing the stage version is Thom Southerland, a young director who is responsible for various works in the UK, where he directed the likes of “Darling!” and “Annie Get Your Gun” for the Union Theatre. He has also directed various other productions that have received recognition in the forms of a Time Out Award, The Times Critics’ Choice and an Evening Standard Critics’ Choice. A relatively young director, he is someone to keep an eye on in the future.

“The Full Monty” is at the New Players Theatre from Wednesday 2nd December 2009 to Saturday 2nd January 2010.