REVIEW: The Full Monty - Liverpool Empire Theatre
The Full Monty arrived on the stage of The Liverpool Empire Theatre last night and received an enthusiastic and rapturous welcome from the exuberant audience. Even before the curtain lifted the anticipation for the show was building and the excitement of the theatre-goers was palpable.
Making it's return to the Liverpool stage, (previously ran in 2014), the show is an adaptation of Simon Beaufoy's BAFTA award winning screenplay. Directed by Jack Ryder, the absolutely hilarious production tugs at the heart strings as well as causing the audience to explode in laughter.
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| Gary Lucy |
The stars include Gary Lucy, Andrew Dunn, Louis Emerick, Chris Fountain, Anthony Lewis and Kai Owen. Set in industrial Sheffield, the performance is honest, raw and without pretension. It follows six unemployed steel workers who take on the unlikely role of strippers. It is story of personal struggle, overcoming of doubt and fear and camaraderie amongst men who find themselves in a depressing predicament. Gary Lucy, the protagonist plays Gaz and the audience feels compassion for his tribulations and battle to gain visitation rights to his son Nathan. It seemed that Lucy was suffering from a sore throat as his voice seemed quite hoarse and he was heard to clear his throat early on in the show, this however did not detract from his delivery.
Louis Emerick (aka Horse) was outstanding. His sardonic delivery is wonderfully entertaining and the way he dances with his arthritic hips is comedy in full effect. Andrew Dunn (Gerald) was fantastic. You felt his anxiety as he tried to keep his employment status under wraps from his wife. Anthony Lewis who plays Lomper delivers a stunning performance and you can't help but feel endeared to him. The young actor that played Gaz's son Nathan was magnificent as was Kai Owen, the self deprecating ex steel worker who doesn't take himself too seriously. The entire cast of fourteen are to be commended for the way that they interact with each other and deliver a tight performance.
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| Kai Owen |
The performance takes you on a roller coaster ride of emotional highs and lows and has you swinging between a range of emotions; namely gripped with sadness and laughing hysterically. Directed by Jack Ryder and choreographed by Ian West, this is a must see.
The set was incredible, a triumph for designer Robert Jones. It was interchangeable and intricately designed to give so many different perspectives conducive for representing the various scenes.
Liverpool audiences certainly gave the cast a warm welcome and showed their appreciation throughout. The standing ovation at the end of the show was completely justified. There is no doubt why this show has won the prestigious UK Theatre Award for best touring production.
This adaptation was tastefully done and simply marvellous. It tackles serious subject matters but intertwines humour and comedic elements to make it digestible.
The auditorium was packed on press night. There was no shortage of bums on seats at the Empire as the crowd awaited the baring all of the cast. The Full Monty never disappoints and is beautifully adapted as a stage performance. You really get a sense of the emotional struggle but you are duly rewarded with laughter and merriment. It's a fantastic show and definitely worth a watch. You will have to be quick though as it only runs until Saturday 12th November.
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| Andrew Dunn |
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| Chris Fountain |
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