WHAT’S IT ABOUT?
Blokes getting their kit off. The decline of heavy industry and the Thatcher years. Masculinity, body image, the dad-son bond, sexuality. Men in pants. Clingfilm as a slimming aid. It’s all there.
WHO’S IN IT?
A goodly cast of chaps who’ve done their time on stage, in the soaps and on TV series. Gary Lucy (ex Eastenders and Hollyoaks) heads it up as Gaz whose brilliant idea it is to ditch the dole queue and make thongs pay. As Gaz’s son, young Reiss Ward does a fine turn with some very sweary lines delivered with good comic timing.
You might recognize Brookside’s Mick Johnson – Louis Emerick – who plays Horse with aplomb – getting the first raucous cheer of the evening with his swaggering audition piece.
All the characters are likeable and their own stories sweep the storyline as the show develops. Gnome-loving management bod, Gerald, played by Andrew Dunn ( ex Dinnerladies), is believable in his turmoil as his lifestyle sinks as he clings to the liferaft of his briefcase.
Tubby Dave is played by Kai Owen who really works the clingfilm and Chris Fountain as Guy and Anthony Lewis, as tortured soul Lomper, complete the line-up.
They look like they’re having a great time and are at ease with the getting off of their kit. Some really laugh-out-loud moments throughout.
WHAT’S GOOD ABOUT IT?
Well, it’s a hoot. Its audience, not unsurprisingly, is predominantly female and they’re up for it. They hoot, they squeal, they cheer and they ‘aaah’ at the sad bits, like sympathy-laden mums, wives and girlfriends would.
Most are familiar with the film of The Full Monty so there’s a frisson when the kit-off and dancing bits happen – much love for the hip-shaking dole-queue sequence. A great sound-track throughout too.
By the time the finale comes the audience is whipped up to become that fantasy-fuelled, ‘up for it’ gang of gals in the Sheffield working man’s club.
WHO SHOULD SEE IT?
Chicks who love a cheeky chuckle. It’s a pacey and punchy production that leaves you smiling. There were a few issues with the sound quality on first night which made following the lines a bit tricksy at times. But for your eyes, a feast!
WHEN IS IT ON?
Until Saturday March 25th.
For more information and to book tickets online visit: atgtickets.com
