The Full Monty

The Full Monty is a 1997 British comedy-drama film directed by Peter Cattaneo, starring Robert Carlyle, Mark Addy, William Snape, Steve Huison, Tom Wilkinson, Paul Barber, and Hugo Speer. The screenplay was written by Simon Beaufoy. The film is set in Sheffield, England, and it tells the story of six unemployed men, four of them former steel workers, who decide to form a male striptease act (à la Chippendale dancers) in order to gather enough money to get somewhere else and for main character, Gaz, to be able to see his son. Gaz declares that their show will be better than the Chippendales dancers because they will go "the full monty" — strip all the way — hence the film's title. Despite being a comedy, the film also touches on serious subjects such as unemployment, fathers' rights, depression, impotence, homosexuality, obesity, working class culture and suicide.

The Full Monty was a major critical success upon release and an unexpected international commercial success, grossing over $250 million from a budget of only $3.5 million. It was the highest grossing film in the UK until it was outsold by Titanic. It was ultimately nominated for Academy Awards for Best Picture, Best Director, Best Original Screenplay and Best Original Music Score, winning the latter.

The Full Monty (musical)

The Full Monty is a musical with a book by Terrence McNally and score by David Yazbek.

In this Americanized musical stage version adapted from the 1997 British film of the same name, six unemployed Buffalo steelworkers, low on both cash and prospects, decide to present a strip act at a local club after seeing their wives' enthusiasm for a touring company of Chippendales. One of them, Jerry, declares that their show will be better than the Chippendales dancers because they'll go "the full monty"—strip all the way. As they prepare for the show, working through their fears, self-consciousness, and anxieties, they overcome their inner demons and find strength in their camaraderie.

Productions

The musical had its world premiere at the Old Globe Theatre in San Diego from June 1 through July 9, 2000. The production opened on Broadway at the Eugene O'Neill Theatre on October 26, 2000 and closed on September 2002, after 770 performances and 35 previews. The musical was directed by Jack O'Brien and choreographed by Jerry Mitchell, with sets by John Arnone, lighting by Howell Binkley, and costumes by Robert Morgan. The opening night cast included Patrick Wilson, André DeShields, John Ellison Conlee, Jason Danieley, Marcus Neville, Kathleen Freeman, Denis Jones, Emily Skinner, and Annie Golden. Jane Connell replaced Freeman when she died during the run.

The Full Monty (play)

The Full Monty is a comedy play written by Simon Beaufoy, from his original screenplay for the 1997 film The Full Monty. It made its world premiere at the Lyceum Theatre in February 2013, before touring the United Kingdom. A West End production was launched at the Noël Coward Theatre in February 2014. A new production opened at the Manchester Opera House on Thursday 11 September 2014 and tours the UK through to May 2015.

The play features music by Tom Jones, Hot Chocolate and James Brown.

Background

The Full Monty is written by Simon Beaufoy and marked his first attempt at writing for theatre. It is based on his own screenplay for the 1997 film of the same name. The film itself was made on a budget of £3 million and was a sleeper hit, earning over £160 million in global box office receipts becoming the highest grossing film in the UK at the time. It was nominated for four Academy Awards, winning Best Original Score and received eleven Bafta Award nominations, winning four, including Best Film. The film is set in Sheffield, England, and it tells the story of six unemployed men, four of them former steel workers, who decide to form a male striptease act in order to gather enough money to get somewhere else in life and for main character, Gaz, to be able to see his son. An americanised musical adaption was launched in 2000, transferring to the West End's Prince of Wales Theatre in 2002.