The Full Monty (play)

The Full Monty is written by Simon Beaufoy{{cite news |url=https://variety.com/2014/legit/reviews/west-end-review-the-full-monty-1201120894/ |title=West End Review: 'The Full Monty' |publisher=Variety |work=variety.com |date=25 February 2014 |accessdate=22 March 2014 |first=David |last=Benedict}} and marked his first attempt at writing for theatre.{{cite web |url=http://www.thestage.co.uk/news/production/2012/10/sheffield-theatres-full-monty-to-tour-uk/ |title=Sheffield Theatres' Full Monty to tour UK |publisher=The Stage |work=thestage.co.uk |date=12 October 2012 |accessdate=24 March 2014}} It is based on his own screenplay{{cite web |url=http://www.playbill.com/news/article/177320-New-Stage-Version-of-The-Full-Monty-Will-Transfer-to-the-West-End |title=New Stage Version of The Full Monty Will Transfer to the West End |publisher=Playbill |work=playbill.com |date=26 April 2013 |accessdate=24 March 2014}} for the 1997 film of the same name.{{cite news |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/entertainment-arts-21298580 |title=Stars go the Full Monty on stage in Sheffield |publisher=BBC News |work=bbc.co.uk/news |date=7 February 2013 |accessdate=22 March 2014}} The film itself was made on a budget of £3 million and was a sleeper hit,{{cite web |url=http://www.playbill.com/news/article/37368-Full-Monty-Producers-Sued-by-2-New-Zealand-Playwrights |title=Full Monty Producers Sued by 2 New Zealand Playwrights |publisher=Playbill |work=playbill.com |date=3 March 1998 |accessdate=22 March 2014 |url-status=dead |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20140323003616/http://www.playbill.com/news/article/37368-Full-Monty-Producers-Sued-by-2-New-Zealand-Playwrights |archivedate=23 March 2014 }} earning over £160 million in global box office receipts becoming the highest-grossing film in the UK at the time.{{cite news |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/64107.stm |title=Full Monty tops Bafta list |publisher=BBC News |work=news.bbc.co.uk |date=10 March 1998 |accessdate=22 March 2014}} It was nominated for four Academy Awards, winning Best Original Score and received eleven Bafta Award nominations,{{cite web |url=http://www.empireonline.com/news/story.asp?NID=10492 |title=Full Monty Sweeps BAFTA Award Nominations |publisher=Empire |work=empireonline.com |date=10 March 1998 |accessdate=22 March 2014}} winning four, including Best Film.{{cite news |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk/80525.stm |title=UK Full Monty pulls it off at Baftas |publisher=BBC News |work=news.bbc.co.uk |date=19 April 1998 |accessdate=22 March 2014}} The film is set in Sheffield, England, and it tells the story of six unemployed men, four of them former steel workers, who decide to form a male striptease act in order to gather enough money to get somewhere else in life and for main character, Gaz, to be able to see his son.{{cite web |url=https://www.theguardian.com/film/1997/aug/29/1 |title=The Full Monty |work=The Guardian |date=29 August 1997 |accessdate=22 March 2014}} An Americanised musical adaptation{{cite news |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/entertainment/reviews/1873163.stm |title=Full Monty gets American makeover |publisher=BBC News |work=news.bbc.co.uk |date=15 March 2002 |accessdate=22 March 2014}} was launched in 2000,{{cite web |url=http://www.playbill.com/news/article/55629-Broadway-Gets-Bare-With-Full-Monty-Beginning-Previews-Sept-25 |title=Broadway Gets Bare With Full Monty, Beginning Previews Sept. 25 |publisher=Playbill |work=playbill.com |date=25 September 2000 |accessdate=22 March 2014 |url-status=dead |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20121017081754/http://www.playbill.com/news/article/55629-Broadway-Gets-Bare-With-Full-Monty-Beginning-Previews-Sept-25 |archivedate=17 October 2012 }} transferring to the West End's Prince of Wales Theatre in 2002.

Music in the play includes "You Sexy Thing" by Hot Chocolate,{{cite journal |journal=Noel Coward Theatre Programme |title=The Full Monty |date=March 2014 |page=32}} "You Can Leave Your Hat On" by Tom Jones, "I Got You (I Feel Good)" by James Brown, "Hot Stuff" by Donna Summer, "Flashdance... What a Feeling" by Irene Cara, "The Stripper" by David Rose, "Je t'aime... moi non plus" by Serge Gainsbourg and "Land of a Thousand Dances" by Wilson Pickett.

The play returns the story back to its Sheffield origins, rather than the Buffalo set musical.{{cite news |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2000/06/09/movies/on-stage-and-off-a-full-monty-buffalo-style.html |title=ON STAGE AND OFF; A 'Full Monty,' Buffalo Style |work=The New York Times |date=9 June 2000 |accessdate=24 March 2014 |first=Jesse |last=McKinley}} On the move back Beaufoy said "Without Sheffield, there would be no Full Monty. It's been a long road – via Hollywood – but finally the characters are coming back home to the place it all started."{{cite news |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/entertainment-arts-18036573 |title=Full Monty heads for Sheffield theatre |publisher=BBC News |work=bbc.co.uk/news |date=11 May 2012 |accessdate=24 March 2014}}

In May 2012, it was announced The Full Monty would receive its world premiere in Sheffield in 2013.{{cite web |url=http://www.thestage.co.uk/news/2012/05/the-full-monty-to-premiere-in-sheffield-next-year/ |title=The Full Monty to premiere in Sheffield next year |publisher=The Stage |work=thestage.co.uk/ |date=11 May 2012 |accessdate=22 March 2014}} The play premiered at the Lyceum Theatre, Sheffield on 2 February 2013, running until 23 February. The production was directed by Daniel Evans,{{cite news |url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/culture/theatre/10623135/Daniel-Evans-interview-the-man-who-brought-hot-stuff-to-Sheffield.html |title=Daniel Evans interview: the man who brought hot stuff to Sheffield |publisher=The Telegraph |work=telegraph.co.uk |date=7 February 2014 |accessdate=23 March 2014 |location=London |first=Dominic |last=Cavendish}} with choreography by Steven Hoggett,{{cite web |url=http://london.broadway.com/buzz/174999/nude-no-more-the-full-monty-the-play-not-the-musical-to-shutter-early-in-the-west-end/ |title=Nude No More! The Full Monty (the Play, Not the Musical) to Shutter Early in the West End |publisher=Broadway.com |work=london.broadway.com |date=17 March 2014 |accessdate=24 March 2014}} design by Robert Jones,{{cite web |url=http://www.whatsonstage.com/blackpool-theatre/news/04-2013/full-monty-arrives-at-lowry-15-april_700.html |title=Full Monty arrives at Lowry, 15 April |publisher=Whats On Stage |work=whatsonstage.com |date=2 April 2013 |accessdate=24 March 2014}} lighting by Tim Lutkin{{cite web |url=http://www.thestage.co.uk/news/production/2013/04/west-end-transfer-for-the-full-monty/ |title=West End transfer for The Full Monty |publisher=The Stage |work=thestage.co.uk |date=26 April 2013 |accessdate=22 March 2014}} and original music and sound design by Max and Ben Ringham.{{cite web |url=http://www.playbill.com/news/article/171053-The-Full-Monty-Stage-Play-Based-on-the-Film-Announces-Cast-and-UK-Tour-Dates/I%3E,-Stage-Play-Based-on-the-Film,-Announces-Cast-and-U.K.-Tour-Dates |title=The Full Monty, Stage Play Based on the Film, Announces Cast and U.K. Tour Dates |publisher=Playbill |work=playbill.com |date=12 October 2012 |accessdate=22 March 2014}} The lead cast for the show included Kenny Doughty as Gaz, Sidney Cole as Horse, Craig Gazey as Lomper, Roger Morlidge as Dave, Kieran O'Brien as Guy and Simon Rouse as Gerald.{{cite web |url=http://www.broadwayworld.com/uk-regional/article/THE-FULL-MONTY-Announces-Casting-For-2013-UK-Tour-20121012 |title=THE FULL MONTY Announces Casting For 2013 UK Tour |publisher=Broadway World |work=broadwayworld.com |date=12 October 2012 |accessdate=24 March 2014}} Following its debut in Sheffield the play embarked on an eleven venue tour visiting Birmingham,{{cite web |url=https://www.expressandstar.com/entertainment/theatre/2013/02/27/review-the-full-monty-birmingham-hippodrome/ |title=The Full Monty, Birmingham Hippodrome |publisher=Express & Star |work=expressandstar.com |date=27 February 2013 |accessdate=24 March 2014}} Bristol,{{cite web |url=http://www.whatsonstage.com/bath-theatre/reviews/03-2013/the-full-monty-bristol-tour_966.html |title=The Full Monty (Bristol – tour) |publisher=Whats On Stage |work=whatsonstage.com |date=4 March 2013 |accessdate=24 March 2014}} Canterbury,{{cite web |url=http://www.whatsonstage.com/brighton-theatre/reviews/03-2013/the-full-monty-tour-canterbury-marlowe-theatre_823.html |title=The Full Monty (tour – Canterbury, Marlowe Theatre) |publisher=Whats On Stage |work=whatsonstage.com |date=18 March 2013 |accessdate=24 March 2014}} Aberdeen,{{cite web |url=http://news.stv.tv/north/218317-popular-play-displays-the-full-monty-at-his-majestys-theatre/ |title=Bare-faced cheek at the HMT as the Full Monty turns up for a shift |publisher=STV |work=news.stv.tv |date=20 March 2013 |accessdate=24 March 2014}} Belfast, Edinburgh,{{cite web |url=http://www.edinburghnews.scotsman.com/what-s-on/theatre/theatre-review-the-full-monty-festival-theatre-1-2860219 |title=The Full Monty, Festival Theatre |publisher=Edinburgh Evening News |work=edinburghnews.scotsman.com/ |date=27 March 2013 |accessdate=24 March 2014}} Dublin,{{cite web |url=http://entertainment.ie/theatre/feature/The-Full-Monty-The-Bord-Gais-Theatre/211/4164.htm |title=The Full Monty The Bord Gais Theatre |publisher=entertainment.ie |work=entertainment.ie |accessdate=24 March 2014}} Salford,{{cite web |url=http://www.britishtheatreguide.info/reviews/the-full-monty-8736 |title=The Full Monty The Lowry, Salford |publisher=British Theatre Guide |work=britishtheatreguide.info |date=15 April 2013 |accessdate=24 March 2014}} Southampton,{{cite web |url=http://www.basingstokegazette.co.uk/leisure/theatre/10373160.REVIEW__The_Full_Monty__Sheffield_Theatres__The_Mayflower___runs_until_April_27/ |title=The Full Monty, Sheffield Theatres, The Mayflower – runs until April 27 |publisher=Basingstoke Gazette |work=basingstokegazette.co.uk |date=23 April 2013 |accessdate=24 March 2014}} Southend On Sea{{cite web |url=http://www.whatsonstage.com/west-end-theatre/news/10-2012/casting-and-tour-dates-announced-for-sheffield-ful_2425.html |title=Casting & tour dates announced for Sheffield Full Monty |publisher=Whats On Stage |work=whatsonstage.com |date=12 October 2012 |accessdate=22 March 2014}} and Leeds.{{cite web |url=http://www.yorkpress.co.uk/leisure/theatre/10413475.Review__The_Full_Monty__Leeds_Grand_Theatre__until_May_18/ |title=The Full Monty, Leeds Grand Theatre, until May 18 |publisher=The Press |work=yorkpress.co.uk |date=10 May 2013 |accessdate=24 March 2014}}

In January 2014, the production began a short pre-West End run at the New Theatre, Cardiff, followed by the Theatre Royal in Bath.{{cite web |url=http://www.broadwayworld.com/westend/article/Simon-Beaufoys-THE-FULL-MONTY-to-Strip-Down-the-West-End-Feb-2014-20130425#.UzB-Of0_v8t |title=Simon Beaufoy's THE FULL MONTY to Strip Down the West End, Feb 2014 |publisher=Broadway World |work=broadwayworld.com |date=25 April 2013 |accessdate=24 March 2014}} The show then transferred to the Noël Coward Theatre in the West End,{{cite news |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/entertainment-arts-22309022 |title=Full Monty play gets West End run |publisher=BBC News |work=bbc.co.uk/news |date=26 April 2013 |accessdate=22 March 2014}} where it began previews on 20 February 2014, before holding its official opening night on 25 February, booking until 14 June 2014.{{cite web |url=http://www.whatsonstage.com/west-end-theatre/news/04-2013/sheffields-the-full-monty-confirms-west-end-transf_410.html |title=Sheffield's The Full Monty confirms West End transfer, Feb 2014 |publisher=Whats On Stage |work=whatsonstage.com |date=26 April 2013 |accessdate=23 March 2014}} The original tour cast stayed with the production{{cite web |url=http://www.sheffieldtheatres.co.uk/about/news/news/sheffield-theatres-the-full-monty-streaks-into-the/ |title=Sheffield Theatres' The Full Monty Streaks into the West End |publisher=Sheffield Theatres |work=sheffieldtheatres.co.uk |date=26 April 2013 |accessdate=23 March 2014}} and tickets for the previews were sold at 1990's prices.{{cite web |url=http://www.westendframe.com/2013/04/FullMonty.html |title=The Full Monty confirms 2014 West End transfer |publisher=West End Frame |work=westendframe.com |date=26 April 2013 |accessdate=23 March 2014}} The play received a Laurence Olivier Award nomination for Best New Comedy.{{cite web |url=http://www.express.co.uk/news/uk/466328/Three-West-End-shows-are-axed-does-this-spell-the-end-of-our-love-affair-with-musicals |title=Three West End shows are axed... does this spell the end of our love affair with musicals? |publisher=Sunday Express |work=express.co.uk |date=23 March 2014 |accessdate=23 March 2014}} On 16 March, it was announced the show would close early after just five weeks{{cite web |url=http://www.sheffieldtelegraph.co.uk/what-s-on/theatre/the-full-monty-pulled-from-the-west-end-1-6511919 |title=The Full Monty pulled from the West End |publisher=Sheffield Telegraph |work=sheffieldtelegraph.co.uk |date=23 March 2014 |accessdate=23 March 2014}} on 29 March,{{cite news |url=https://www.independent.co.uk/arts-entertainment/theatre-dance/news/the-full-monty-to-close-in-west-end-after-one-month-despite-olivier-nomination-9195873.html |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20220618/https://www.independent.co.uk/arts-entertainment/theatre-dance/news/the-full-monty-to-close-in-west-end-after-one-month-despite-olivier-nomination-9195873.html |archive-date=18 June 2022 |url-access=subscription |url-status=live |title=The Full Monty to close in West End after one month despite Olivier nomination |publisher=The Independent |work=independent.co.uk |date=16 March 2014 |accessdate=23 March 2014 |location=London |first=Nick |last=Clark}} due to poor sales.{{cite news |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/entertainment-arts-26610142 |title=The Full Monty's West End run to end early |publisher=BBC News |work=bbc.co.uk/news |date=17 March 2014 |accessdate=23 March 2014}} The move surprised critics{{cite web |url=https://www.standard.co.uk/goingout/theatre/the-halffull-monty-musical-closing-after-a-month-as-west-end-bosses-warn-of-tough-times-9196758.html |title=The half-Full Monty: musical closing after a month as West End bosses warn of tough times |publisher=London Evening Standard |work=standard.co.uk |date=17 March 2014 |accessdate=23 March 2014}} and cast alike,{{cite web |url=http://www.whatsonstage.com/london-theatre/news/03-2014/cast-devastated-by-news-of-full-monty-closure_33853.html?cid=homepage_news |title=Cast 'devastated' by news of Full Monty closure |publisher=Whats On Stage |work=whatsonstage.com |date=17 March 2014 |accessdate=23 March 2014}} with an online petition also being launched.{{cite web |url=https://www.standard.co.uk/news/londoners-diary/mystery-of-full-montys-final-curtain-9205241.html |title=Mystery of Full Monty's final curtain |publisher=London Evening Standard |work=standard.co.uk |date=20 March 2014 |accessdate=23 March 2014}} The petition was signed by the show’s writer Simon Beaufoy, who said of the show's producers David Pugh and Dafydd Rogers, "Why would a producer close his own show before it had any chance of finding an audience?" and "On the other hand, why would a producer never come to see his own show? Perhaps he can answer these questions. I can't because he hasn't spoken either to me or the creative team in months."{{cite web |url=http://www.whatsonstage.com/london-theatre/news/03-2014/full-monty-writer-signs-petition-against-closure_33881.html?cid=homepage_news |title=Full Monty writer signs petition against closure |publisher=Whats On Stage |work=whatsonstage.com |date=18 March 2014 |accessdate=23 March 2014}}{{cite web |url=http://www.thestage.co.uk/news/2014/03/full-monty-writer-blames-producer-less-production-early-closure/ |title=Full Monty writer blames "producer-less" production for early closure |publisher=The Stage |work=thestage.co.uk |date=18 March 2014 |accessdate=23 March 2014}} The petition had no effect in terms of extending the production’s run and the play closed on 29 March,{{cite web |url=http://www.playbill.com/news/article/189350-West-Ends-Stephen-Ward-From-Here-to-Eternity-The-Full-Monty-and-The-Duck-House-End-Runs-March-29?tsrc=nx |title=West End's Stephen Ward, From Here to Eternity, The Full Monty and The Duck House End Runs March 29 |publisher=Playbill |work=playbill.com |date=29 March 2014 |accessdate=1 April 2014}} to be replaced by Good People.{{cite web |url=http://www.thestage.co.uk/news/production/2014/03/hampstead-theatres-good-people-replace-full-monty-west-end/ |title=Hampstead Theatre's Good People to replace The Full Monty in the West End |publisher=The Stage |work=thestage.co.uk |date=21 March 2014 |accessdate=1 April 2014}}

A new production embarked on a 32-week tour of the United Kingdom, commencing at the Manchester Opera House,{{cite web |url=http://www.huffingtonpost.co.uk/2014/03/17/the-full-monty-west-end-closing-show-_n_4978327.html |title='The Full Monty' West End Show Closing Early Following Poor Ticket Sales |publisher=Huffington Post |work=huffingtonpost.co.uk |date=17 March 2014 |accessdate=23 March 2014}} on 11 September 2014.{{cite web |url=http://www.playbill.com/news/article/188836-The-Full-Monty-to-Shutter-in-West-End-Further-UK-Tour-Dates-to-Follow |title=The Full Monty to Shutter in West End; Further U.K. Tour Dates to Follow |publisher=Playbill |work=playbill.com |date=17 March 2014 |accessdate=23 March 2014}} Featuring a new cast, the show was seen in major venues throughout Britain, finishing back at Sheffield's Lyceum Theatre in June 2015.{{cite web |url=http://www.fullmontytheplay.com/tour/ |title=National Tour 2014/15 |publisher=The Full Monty (play) |work=fullmontytheplay.com |accessdate=5 April 2014}}{{cite web |url=http://www.playbill.com/news/article/190946-Casting-Announced-for-UK-Tour-of-Simon-Beaufoys-Play-Version-of-The-Full-Monty |title=Casting Announced for U.K. Tour of Simon Beaufoy's Play Version of The Full Monty |publisher=Playbill |work=playbill.com |date=9 May 2014 |accessdate=9 May 2014}} The second touring production was directed by Roger Haines{{cite web |url=http://www.hinckleytimes.net/whats-on/whats-on-news/gary-lucy-ready-bare-full-7096476 |title=Gary Lucy ready to bare all in The Full Monty |publisher=Hinckley Times |work=hinckleytimes.net |date=9 May 2014 |accessdate=9 May 2014}} and casting included Gary Lucy as Gaz, Louis Emerick as Horse, Bobby Schofield as Lomper, Martin Miller as Dave, Rupert Hill as Guy and Andrew Dunn as Gerald.{{cite web |url=http://www.broadwayworld.com/scotland/article/THE-FULL-MONTY-with-Gary-Lucy-Andrew-Dunn-More-to-Play-Kings-Theatre-Glasgow-23-Sept-4-Oct-20140509#.U209pv2FX8s |title=THE FULL MONTY with Gary Lucy, Andrew Dunn & More to Play King's Theatre Glasgow, 23 Sept. - 4 Oct. |publisher=Broadway World |work=broadwayworld.com |date=9 May 2014 |accessdate=9 May 2014}} A typical London performance ran two hours and 25 minutes, including one interval of 20 minutes.

The tour continued in September 2015, with the same cast.{{cite web |url=http://britishtheatre.com/the-full-monty-uk-tour-2015/ |title=The Full Monty UK Tour 2015 |publisher=British Theatre |work=britishtheatre.com |date=9 March 2015 |accessdate=25 March 2016}} The tour continued from September 2016. Lucy, Emerick and Dunn continued in their roles, with new cast members Anthony Lewis as Lomper, Kai Owen as Dave, Chris Fountain as Guy and Fiona Skinner as Jean. The tour was directed by Jack Ryder, with choreography by Ian West, assistant direction by James Robert-Moore, design by Rob Jones, and lighting by Tim Lutkin.{{cite web |url=http://www.fullmontytheplay.com/tour/ |title=National Tour 2016/17 |publisher=The Full Monty (play) |work=fullmontytheplay.com |accessdate=25 March 2016}}

In 2023 a brand new production of the play was produced by Mark Goucher Productions, Everyman Theatre, Cheltenham and Buxton Opera House. The show, directed by Michael Gyngell and produced by David Pugh, began touring the UK in September 2023 until April 2024. The cast included Jake Quickenden, Danny Hatchard, Bill Ward, Neil Hurst, Nicholas Prasad and Ben Onwukwe.{{cite web |url=https://www.londontheatre1.com/theatre-news/full-cast-announced-for-the-full-monty-uk-tour/ |title=Full Cast Announced for The Full Monty UK Tour|date=22 June 2023 }}

File:Full Monty Cast.jpg

{{reflist|30em}}

• {{Official website|http://www.fullmontytheplay.com}}

{{Simon Beaufoy}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Full Monty, The}}

Category:2013 plays

Category:Comedy plays

Category:English plays

Category:West End plays

Category:Plays set in England

Category:Plays set in the 1990s