The Full Monty

I had the great pleasure of attending The Full Monty at The Manifest Theatre on Saturday 7th March and what an unforgettable evening it proved to be. From the moment I arrived I received a wonderfully warm welcome from the Front of House team and from director Alison Baker, setting the tone for a superb night of theatre.

Alison kindly showed me the excellent set prior to the performance. Built entirely within the theatre by the company, it was an impressive achievement. Designed on two levels, with doors stage left and right representing the club and Mandy and Barry’s house, it made outstanding use of a relatively confined stage space. Clever design and thoughtful staging ensured the production flowed smoothly throughout. I was also interested to hear that the company had staged ten performances, each playing to sold-out audiences of 85 — a testament to the quality and popularity of this production.

The technical elements worked beautifully. Effective lighting, sound, and carefully chosen music immediately transported the audience to 1980s Sheffield and created a vivid sense of time and place. Combined with the excellent set, these elements helped establish the gritty yet heartfelt atmosphere that lies at the centre of this much-loved story.

The cast was exceptionally strong and brought the characters to life with energy, humour and sincerity. Paul George delivered a superb performance as Gaz, capturing perfectly the determination of a father trying to raise money so he can continue to see his son. His performance was believable and engaging throughout. Gary Huggins was excellent as Dave, balancing comedy and vulnerability with great skill. The cling film scene was handled brilliantly, and his moments with his stage wife Jean — sensitively portrayed by Emily Matthews — were particularly poignant and touching.

A huge well done must also go to Rhys Bryson as Nathan. His portrayal of Gaz’s son was spot on, capturing both the confusion and loyalty of a young boy trying to understand his father’s unconventional efforts to earn money.

The members of the ‘dance troupe’ were equally impressive. Nathan Joseph as Horse, Ben Maytham as Lomper, Dan Serheunik as Guy and Jonathan Abbott as Gerald each brought strong characterisation and terrific stage presence, making their roles feel completely authentic. Their camaraderie and interaction were a joy to watch.

Indeed, every member of this talented company contributed to a production that was both hilarious and deeply moving. The chemistry across the cast was evident throughout and ensured the story unfolded with warmth, humour and genuine heart.

Enormous credit must go to director Alison Baker and assistant director Kerry King for their clear vision and dedication in bringing this outstanding production to the stage. Their work, alongside the efforts of the entire company, resulted in a show of exceptional quality.

Congratulations to everyone involved in this sold-out run — a truly terrific production that was thoroughly enjoyed and very warmly appreciated. We absolutely loved it! 

 

 

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