WHAT a show! Stomach-achingly hilarious whilst at the same time a bit of a tearjerker, the stage adaptation of the 90s film classic definitely takes you on an emotional rollercoaster.

The cast bounce off one another, creating a jovial atmosphere despite the dark undertones. Gary Lucy, playing Gaz, does a fantastic job in both his acting and his, uuuummm, ‘dance moves'.

The main reason that the majority of the audience were clearly here nt to see The Full Monty was clearlyto see the ‘full monty’ and the show did not disappoint. Men in red thongs, who wouldn’t want to see that!

My only criticism would be that a Yorkshire accent can be slightly difficult for West Country ears to understand. Perhaps the director should have recognised this and got the cast to slow the pace a little, to ensure the jokes were correctly understood, as I found myself playing interpreter a few times for my less Northern-accent-educated friends.

Despite the jovial cabaret the message that comes through loud and clear is how hard unemployment is and that it affects every aspect of people’s lives. The underlying story of Gaz’s relationship with his son, and the fact that, as we are often reminded, that the only reason he is stripping is to be able to afford to see him, is a harsh reminder of the measures people will take to stay afloat and protect the people they love.

The Full Monty is brilliant production, reminding us that even in the hardest of times a bit of laughter and a can-do attitude can solve any problem.

Katie Phillips