Poster for the 2002 production
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Full Monty Musical Makes London Stage Return

The musical version of The Full Monty is returning to the London stage for the first time since its West End debut in 2002, running for a month at the New Players Theatre from 3 December 2009 to 2 January 2010 (preview 2 December) .

The musical is based on Peter Cattaneo's hit 1997 film The Full Monty, although the story about out of work steelworkers is transplanted from Sheffield to the American city of Buffalo, New York. It was first seen in San Diego, California, before opening at Broadway's Eugene O'Neill Theatre in October 2000, where it ran for 770 performances.

The show is the creation of American bookwriter Terrence McNally and composer David Yazbek. The 2002 West End production was staged by the entire Broadway creative team, though it failed to replicate its Broadway success and closed after eight months at the Prince of Wales theatre (See News, 1 Nov 2002).

Directed by Thom Southerland (HMS Pinafore, State Fair), the new production premieres at the Broadway Theatre in Catford (4-29 November) prior to its transfer to the New Players, the recently refurbished 275-seat Charing Cross venue (See News, 23 Jul 2009). Casting is still to be announced.

The story centres on a group of unemployed steelworkers who, seeing how much their wives enjoy watching male strippers during their "Girls' Night Out", come up with a bold way to make some quick cash. In the process they find renewed self-esteem, the importance of friendship and the ability to have fun.

The Full Monty is produced by Nick Robinson for Stage Taylor and the Broadway Studio Theatre in association with the New Players Theatre.

- by Theo Bosanquet

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