Sheffield’s The Full Monty confirms West End transfer, Feb 2014
A new play based on hit 1997 film The Full Monty, which premiered in the story’s home town Sheffield in February, will transfer to the West End next year for a limited run.Directed by Sheffield
Theatres’ artistic director Daniel Evans, the play is adapted by
Oscar-winning writer Simon Beaufoy from his own screenplay
about a group of unemployed steel workers who form a troupe of male
strippers.The Full Monty will begin previews at the West End’s Noel Coward Theatre from 20 February 2014, following the end of the Michael Grandage season, with press night on the 25 February. The limited 16 week engagement runs until 14 June.Ticket prices will be £52.50, £39.50, £25.00 and £9.50 – there will be no booking fees, no premium seats and no restoration levy. Producers David Pugh and Dafydd Rogers said: “The only rip-off on this production will be the clothes”.All tickets for the previews will be at “1990s prices” – with a top price of £26.25, and a low of £4.75.
The original cast – Kenny Doughty (Gaz), Craig Gazey (Lumper), Simon Rouse (Gerald), Keiran O’Brien (Guy), Roger Morlidge (Dave) and Sidney Cole (Horse) – will be reprising their roles in the West End. Completing the company are Scott Anson, Tracy Brabin, Caroline Carver, Eamonn Fleming, Elaine Glover, Rachel Lumberg and Ian Mercer.The adaptation is Beaufoy’s first work for the theatre. His screen credits include Salmon Fishing in the Yemen, 127 Hours and the adaptation of Slumdog Millionaire which earned him an Academy Award, a Golden Globe and a BAFTA.Beaufoy was not involved in
the 2000 Americanized stage musical version, with a book by Terrence
McNally and score by David Yazbek, which relocated the action to
Buffalo, New York.Songs from the film that are retained in the show include Hot
Chocolate’s “You Sexy Thing”, Donna Summer’s “Hot Stuff” and
Tom Jones performing “You Can Leave Your Hat On”.The Full Monty, which enjoyed a sell-out UK tour following its Sheffield premiere, is co-produced by Sheffield Theatres with West End producing partners David Pugh and Dafydd Rogers. It’s designed by Robert Jones (Wizard of Oz, Calendar Girls) and choreographed by Steven Hoggett (Black Watch, The Curious Incident of the Dog in The Night Time)
