The Full Monty

Feel-good crowd pleaser The Full Monty is treated to a small-scale, but big-hearted revival from The Hills Musical Society.

Sets are minimalist, with the production often relying upon projected imagery to set the scene. But that isn't too much of an issue, as the show is primarily a character piece and the high-energy dance choreography delivers the goods in terms of visual spectacle. 

Playing six unemployed men who band together to form a striptease troupe and discover a new sense of purpose in the process, the leading players (Rohan Watts, Kim Clark, James Reed, Timothy Mackie, Njal Venning & MacDonald Machingura) each bring an endearing mix of goofball charm and vulnerability to these characters. They are also to be commended for the "warts and all" bravery with which they throw themselves into the physical demands of these roles - this serves to enhance both the humour and pathos of the story. Also worth mentioning is Samantha Francis, who hilariously steals many scenes in the role of Venning's highly strung wife. The rest of the ensemble deliver energetic performances, though the overall technical quality of dancing and singing in crowd numbers is uneven.

The Full Monty is based upon a very British film, but the setting has been changed for the stage adaptation to Buffalo, New York. Though most of the original's charm persists despite the change in location, many themes that were subtly expressed in the film are painted in much broader strokes on stage. Partly due to the requirements of the musical theatre medium, but also as a side effect of Americanisation. Still, the toe tapping catchiness of David Yazbek's score ensures that the proceedings never come across as too heavy handed. 

Benjamin Orchard