Adaptor: Simon Beaufoy
Director: Michael Gyngell
This show is based on the 1997 BAFTA-winning film starring Robert Carlyle, dealing with issues such as post Thatcher Recession, job losses, poverty, attempted suicide and one man’s desperate, but somewhat misguided attempts to see his son; the film became one of the most well-loved, feel-good cinema successes of all time. Adapted from his screenplay, Simon Beaufoy’s play celebrates the anniversary of the film premiere.
Now, 25+ years on, audiences are still flocking to see the stage production featuring unemployment, dodgy dance moves in a dole queue, the Hot Chocolate track, ‘You Sexy Thing’ and of course the big reveal at the end.
The story revolves around six unemployed Sheffield steel workers who are struggling to pay their bills; with no job prospects in sight, two of the pals, Gas and Dave are struck with inspiration from an unlikely source, their wives’ excitement at a local Chippendales show. Figuring they might be able to create their own, even racier version and make a bit of cash by putting on a male strip show, they set about finding suitable dance partners with amusing results.
The storyline has been translated well to the stage with the key moments, characters and hit songs all included. The set (Jasmine Swan) depicted the disused steelworks with moveable props transforming the stage into a Job Centre, a nightclub, a Conservative Club and a Police Station. Clever use of lighting, dry ice and pyrotechnics helped supply the necessary atmosphere and jokes, swearing and bawdiness were in abundance.
Each of the characters has their own back story or in Guy’s case, an imposing front story in his well-stocked undies, of a prosthetic penis which brought a smile to everyone’s face. As well as revealing their private lives, they eventually display their privates, too. Iconic moments from the film are included, including the cling film diet scene, the sunbed tanning at home, and of course dancing in the dole queue.
The first half sets the scene and is a little slow, but the pace picks up in the second half as the lads rehearse for their performance. Unfortunately, most of the humour was lost due to sound issues; this reviewer was seated in the middle of the stalls and had trouble hearing what was being said throughout the performance.
The play touches on some serious issues such as unemployment, depression, poverty, body image and homosexuality; as well as being very touching it is basically a comedic performance but a lot of the jokes and banter are in today’s modern setting somewhat clichéd and have become overused and hackneyed, as such they are not as relevant today as they once were, rather like the idea of a male strip show which in 1997 was somewhat novel but nowadays is relatively an everyday occurrence. The essence of this play, as with the film, is the journey winding its way between tragedy and comedy on which all of the characters proceed, it’s not just about the bare bottoms and the big reveal at the end of the performance.
The cast performed well together, with Danny Hatchard as Gaz, Jake Quickenden as Guy, Bill Ward as Gerald, Neil Hurst as Dave, Ben Onwukwe as Horse, and Nicholas Prasad as Lomper. They were assisted by supporting cast members, Oliver Joseph Brooke, Katy Dean, Laura Matthews, Danny Mellor, Adam Porter Smith, Suzanne Procter, Alice Schofield, and Leyon Stolz-Hunter.
The enthusiastic audience provided encouragement with catcalls and whistles each time a member of the cast undressed or gyrated on stage; most of them waiting for the grand reveal at the end and there was a standing ovation at curtain call.
This is definitely a play for fans of the film and it garnered audience approval, but I feel it may well have now run its course and should rest on its laurels.
Runs until 17 Feb 2024
The Reviews Hub Score
Run its course
