Gritty and uplifting tale is still hot stuff
Hold on to your hats... here comes the flash mob! ROZ LAWS talks to the cast of The Full Monty
YOU might think that, for the cast of hit play The Full Monty, it’s the last three minutes of the show which are the most daunting.
Dancing sexily while stripping off and revealing all to hundreds of theatre-goers is not easy.
But actually, flashing their bare behinds – and more – eight times a week is now second nature to the six lads as they set off on another UK tour, which includes Birmingham Hippodrome.
It’s other surprising things which they find more challenging. Like not stopping for retakes for soap star James Redmond, who is making his stage debut.
Emmerdale’s Joe Gill is nervous about technical tests, such as the magnetic closures on his whip-off trousers. And for Gary Lucy, the main challenge is portraying what it’s like to be a divorced dad fighting to see his son.
The Full Monty, based on and by the same author as the hit 1997 film, follows a group of unemployed Sheffield men who turn to stripping to make money. It’s moving, uplifting and very funny, with a great soundtrack.
Hollyoaks and EastEnders star Gary Lucy is former steelworker Gaz, who desperately needs to pay maintenance so he can see his son.
He sets up a group of male strippers and ropes in best friend Dave (Torchwood’s Kai Owen), depressed Lomper (Joe Gill), well-endowed Guy (James Redmond), ballroom dancer Gerald (Dinnerladies’ Andrew Dunn) and ageing but hip Horse (Louis Emerick).
The Full Monty is the first time on stage for James Redmond, who shot to fame as Finn in Hollyoaks in 1997 and played Abs in Casualty.
The 46-year-old says: “I went back to Hollyoaks in December and was chatting to Gary Lucy about the show, as he’s done four tours.
“It seemed so good and he said there might be a part for me. I’ve always fancied trying theatre but I was scared. It’s daunting because there’s no safety net or retakes, and I’ve had to learn the whole script rather than just the lines for that scene. I’ve had to learn a Yorkshire accent and how to project my voice.
“That all worried me far more than taking my clothes off. That’s easy, I modelled for five years in my pants or sometimes nothing.
“The dancing is harder. I’m from a generation that stood at the bar listening to The Smiths and The Cure, looking moody and interesting.
“Getting in shape to be Guy was tough, with daily gym visits and a carb-free diet. Having to stop eating potatoes, bread and pasta was hard, I was hungry all the time. But vanity kicks in when you start seeing a flatter tummy and muscles.”
James is looking forward to playing Birmingham again, where he’s been several times in his other job as a stand-up comedian.
Trying to make people laugh with your own jokes seems just as frightening as taking your clothes off on-stage. The trick, apparently, is to remain confident even if you’re terrified inside.
“I’ve died doing stand-up many a time,” confesses James. “But often people haven’t noticed. If you get no laughs, don’t show panic and carry on. As soon as the audience sees you’re uncomfortable, they get uncomfortable. I’ve never come off stage early because you don’t get paid!”
There’s no chance of audiences not laughing at The Full Monty, especially in Birmingham. Kai Owen was on the last tour and particularly remembers the warm reception at the Hippodrome.
“It was one of the best weeks of the run,” says Kai. “They put on another night because it went down so well. It’s an amazing theatre.”
So the cast are used to stripping. But what about that first moment in rehearsals when they all get their kit off, in the cold light of day?
“Oh, that’s nerve-racking,” agrees Louis Emerick, who’s been on every tour since 2014.
“When the choreographer says ‘Tomorrow, we’re dropping them’ – that’s scary. We did it and everyone was looking each other in the eye, daring anyone to look down!
“It’s easier in the show as you build up to it, the audience are with you and it’s a celebration at the end.”
Louis made his name as Mick Johnson in Brookside, has appeared in Birminghammade Doctors four times and most recently played Mike in Coronation Street – a role to which he reveals he is returning.
He’s popping back to the cobbles to film while The Full Monty plays Chester and will appear in six episodes in November.
“He has unfinished business with Liz,” says Louis, who missed out on another Corrie role because of a mistake in his biography.
He’s 55 despite many bios, including Wikipedia, believing he was born in 1953.
“That was in an early interview and was never corrected,” reveals Louis. “Corrie called me in for the role of Freddie the mechanic, a love interest for Audrey, but they realised I was too young. That went to Derek Griffiths, who’s 72. It’s cost me a few jobs over the years.”
Another soap star is Joe Gill, who shocked Emmerdale fans last October when his character of Finn Barton was accidentally shot dead in the woods by his mum.
Joe’s real mum was one of the few people who knew that Finn was going to die.
“I only told her and a few close friends,” says Joe, 24. “I’m glad it came as such a big surprise to viewers. People told me they cried! Some were really angry I’d been killed off, but it was me who asked to leave.
“I had a great four years on Emmerdale but I couldn’t see myself playing one character all my life. Finn was so sweet and lovable but he would have lost that innocence as he told older and I might have lost my way playing him.
“I wanted to do more stage work. I love the instant audience reaction of theatre – with TV the gratification doesn’t come until weeks later when people watch it. The reaction to The Full Monty is great, it’s like a concert at the end!”
That’s when people throw underwear on stage.
“It definitely gets more lively as the week goes on,” says Gary Lucy. “On Monday audiences listen, by Saturday they’re going bonkers.”
At 36, Gary is still a heartthrob but is now a father on stage and screen. He’s a dad in The Full Monty and his return to Hollyoaks has seen Luke Morgan at the centre of a hard-hitting and topical storyline, with his teenage son abused by his football coach. It’s an echo of Luke’s powerful, ground-breaking male rape storyline from 2000.
Gary will be back on the Hollyoaks set while on tour to film episodes and keep the storyline going.
And in real life, Gary and wife Natasha have three children – India, 13, Elvis, seven, and four-year-old Sadie.
“Sadie and Elvis have seen the show a few times and loved it, despite the embarrassment of Dad stripping off.
“I’m looking forward to coming to Birmingham as I love the city. I’ve had some great nights out in the Mailbox. Broad Street scares me though. I’ve been in a couple of bars there and thought ‘I need to get out, I’m a 36-year-old dad!’”
The Full Monty plays Nottingham from 4 to 9 February 2019 and the Belgrade in Coventry from Feb 25 to March 2.