The Full Monty, Wolverhampton Grand Theatre - review with pictures
The Full Monty: The Musical is a quick-witted comedy full of toe-tapping tunes which is as funny as it is heart-warming.
It is based on the hit film and has been brought to life at the Wolverhampton Grand Theatre thanks to the talent of Bilston Operatic Company.
When a troupe of male strippers come to the depressed Buffalo, New York, and drive the local women wild, six unemployed steel workers hit on the idea of mounting their own strip show to raise some much-needed cash.
But when they make a rash promise to do the full monty – strip all the way – they must face their fears and find strength in their friendship. It leaves the audience wondering whether the unlikely characters will be able to muster what it takes to expose all.
There is music and lyrics from Terrence McNally's Ragtime and David Yazbek's Dirty Rotten Scoundrels.
The performance was pure fun that makes you blush as soon as the curtains are drawn and grin ear-to-ear by the time the curtain falls with more laughter in between.
The original Broadway production is a ten-time Tony Award nominee and the brave actors from the amateur dramatic group did not disappoint. They were loud, lovable and talented in their ability to belt out powerful anthems or make you adore the fearless women and the perfectly imperfect men.
Each of them were perfectly cast to be everything from the unlikely dorky stripper, to the hilarious pianist that does not hold anything back, and the black stallion better known as Horse.
Bar a few grumbles from the theatre's sound system, the production was perfect and the scene changes were seamless. The immense effort that has gone into creating it is obvious and the cast and crew deserve all the applause they got for the lively and colourful show.
Laura Canadine was the producer director, while Dan Tomkinson was the musical director and Robin Morrison was the production and stage manager.
The buzzing audience was made up of young to old and female to male theatre-goers who all seemed to be equally entertained. This show will not disappoint.
It is on at the venue in Lichfield Street until Saturday (November 10) and tickets are available for The Full Monty: The Musical at https://www.grandtheatre.co.uk/whats-on/the-full-monty-the-musical.
