The sightly washed-out landscape of Sheffield in the late 1980’s should feel a world away from the present day, but with references to recession, unemployment and the trials and tribulations of living under a tory government, there are themes in The Full Monty that are still not only relevant, but prevalent in 2023.

Simon Beaufoy’s much loved story first shot to fame in the 1997 film of the same name and 25 years later, the stage play delivers the same bittersweet blend of humour, socio-economic hardship and partial nudity.

Leading an accomplished cast is Danny Hatchard as Gaz, a father trying and failing to earn enough money to pay child support and maintain shared custody of his son. Along with his best friend Dave (Neil Hurst), Gaz attends the local job club, dole queue and undertakes some petty criminality in order to make ends meet, often joined by his son Nathan, played by the often scene stealing Theo Hills, whose talent is evident even at such a young age.

After a visit to the local area from The Chippendales ignites a great deal of interest among the female residents, Gaz decides that stripping is a quick and easy way to make some money, and solve all of his (short term) problems.

Along their journey, he and Dave collect a team of local lads to join him in his endeavour, and the six core performers have an exceptional chemistry even before the first belt comes off! Bill Ward as Gerald, Nicholas Prasad as Lomper, Ben Onwukwe as Horse and Jake Quickenden as Guy create an unexpectedly comical, loveable and relatable band of misfits.

Jasmine Swan’s set design of moving steel structures adds to the industrial and somewhat bleak backdrop of life in a northern town in 1988, and the costume choices set the piece firmly in that decade, but some of the incidental music choices for scene changes are popular 90s hits, which is a little confusing with so many references to Margret Thatcher!

The production is fantastic fun, has some wonderfully positive messaging about body image, male mental health and sexuality, while still managing to address more sensitive subjects with a gentle understanding. THE scene closes the show complete with glitter adorned security uniforms and velcro trousers, much to the audiences delight!

**** Four stars

Reviewed by: Sarah Brown

The Full Monty runs at the Mayflower Theatre in Southampton until 11 November before continuing its tour. To book tickets for select touring venues, please click here.