28/02/2024

REVIEW: Full Monty at Newcastle Theatre Royal

The Full Monty

Newcastle Theatre Royal

Until Saturday 2 March 2024

The play, based upon 1997 hit movie, is back in the region. The tale of unemployed steel workers trying to survive in the 1980s still hits home today. Simon Beaufoy, who also wrote the screenplay for the film, has crafted a script which alternates between empathetic pathos in one seen to a funny scene that had the audience laughing the next. It is a rollercoaster of emotions for the audience thanks to a cast that you can get behind.

Sheffield was a place in which you could leave school, get a job in the steelworks and your only worry was if your team won on Saturday. Unfortunately, the steel mills closed putting hundreds out of work. In this scenario we have Gaz (Danny Hatchard) who is trying to get the funds together to pay for the child maintenance for his son Nathan (performed on opening night by Rowan Poulton). Nathan lives with Gaz's ex Mandy (Laura Matthews) and her new partner Barry (Oliver Joseph Brooke). 

Gaz's latest money making scheme is to acquire some leftover steel to sell from his former work place with the help of his mate Dave (Neil Hurst). Desperate times lead to desperate actions and they don't always go to plan. As the pair feel sorry for themselves outside of the club, they become aware that the venue is full of screaming women who have paid good money to see the male stripper group The Chippendales. This leads, eventually to a plan: stage their own show. 

Joining them is a group of lads who work well together on stage despite the differences in character. First to join is steel mill security guard Lomper (Nicholas Prasad) followed by their former manager, and dance coach, Gerald (Bill Ward). Soon Horse (Ben Onwukwe). Finally Guy (Jake Quickenden) joins the troupe and rehearsals begin.

The journey to the final scene is not a smooth one, each advance often followed by a set back. But this is a heart warming comedy that not only made over $250 million as a film, which only cost £3.5 million to make, it also had packed out the Theatre Royal on opening night.

It isn't perfect... There are a number of pauses when the stage is set for the next scene, often whilst hits from the 80s/90s are being played. But, and this is important, a great cast deliver a satisfying fun show in which the jokes land well.

The Full Monty is a great laugh and a enjoyable night at the theatre.

Review: Stephen Oliver

Photos: Ellie Kurttz

Tickets:

The Full Monty plays Newcastle Theatre Royal Tuesday 27 February – Saturday 2 March 2024. Tickets can be purchased at www.theatreroyal.co.uk or from the Theatre Royal Box Office on 0191 232 7010.

26/02/2024

Interview: Inês Bogéa, São Paulo Dance Company at Newcastle Theatre Royal

 

Inês Bogéa On Bringing Brazilian Energy To Newcastle

São Paulo Dance Company

Newcastle Theatre Royal

Tuesday 5 – Wednesday 6 March 2024

 

Audiences can look forward to some Brazilian sunshine this spring when São Paulo Dance Company visit Newcastle Theatre Royal on their first-ever tour of the UK and Ireland.

The company will perform a triple bill of contemporary works by some of the world’s leading Spanish and Latin American choreographers – and artistic director Inês Bogéa is keen to share São Paulo’s electric energy with local audiences.

Founded in 2008, São Paulo Dance Company has produced more than 100 classical and contemporary works, toured nearly 20 countries and performed to more than 900,000 people. And now British and Irish audiences can enjoy their expertise.

“São Paulo is a dance company with a very special Brazilian accent,” Inês says. “We have the passion for dance, we have the energy of Brazil, and we love to share that with audiences around the world.”

Inês, who was the founding director when the company was created by the Brazilian state government 15 years ago, says music and dance are integral to life in her home country.

“Movement and the sensation of dance is so much a part of our culture, we celebrate life through dance,” she says. “We dance around the kitchen when we are cooking, we dance at a party with our friends, we dance because we are happy, and we also dance when sometimes we are sad.

“I think we bring our culture inside our body, it’s impossible for us to express ourselves without body movement. For instance, if you were to say hello to someone in Brazil, normally without knowing each other, we hug each other. We talk with gestures and movement.”

São Paulo, which is Brazil’s largest city, brings an added dimension to the company’s work, according to Inês.

São Paulo is a very big city, there are people from all around the world. We have different cultures inside our city, and I think São Paulo Dance Company reflects these different ways of living and ways of seeing our world.”

The tour features a triple bill - Anthem by Spanish choreographer Goyo Montero, Gnawa by Spain’s Nacho Duato and Agora by Cassi Abranches, who was born in São Paulo and has recently choreographed part of Birmingham Royal Ballet’s Black Sabbath – The Ballet.

“The three works talk about rituals in different ways,” says Inês. “Anthem looks at how we are connected through a common purpose that leads us to recognise ourselves as the same group. Gnawa talks about the rituals of people who live in the North of Africa and their connections with the natural world. And in Agora we are talking about time, memories and the reverberation of Brazilian dance.

“In the programme that we are bringing to the UK, the choreographers are trying to reflect on stage what we are all feeling in this moment of our lives. They create a unique world through the movements, the connections with the music and the images that they evoke.”

Inês has been keen to work with both Brazilian and international choreographers, bringing new ideas and ways of expression to the company.

“As a director, I try to be connected with our world and make the company interesting for the dancers, for the team and of course for the audience,” she explains. “We create at least two pieces from Brazilian choreographers each year. It is important for our artform to have a dialogue with our people. So, we need to open a space to listen and devise ways of showing how we see the world.

“And I also invite some foreign choreographers to create work for us as I think this is another way for the company to be learning from other experts. Normally the choreographers say that our company is very open to this dialogue and the dancers are interested and understand the different languages and movements that the choreographers propose for us.

“In our dancers, I’m looking for individuality and the capacity to express themselves through dancing. Of course, the technical skill is important, but I think it’s more important to want to share your ideas through dancing.”

Inês first began training as a dancer at 13, having previously been a top child gymnast and practiced the Brazilian martial art capoeira. She has toured the UK with Brazil’s Grupo Corpo in the past, but this is the first time she is bringing São Paulo Dance Company to the UK and Ireland.

Artistic director Inês Bogéa, photo: Wilian Aguiar

“I have very good memories of when I danced in Britain with Grupo Corpo,” she recalls. “We were there for five weeks, and the audiences were very warm. I hope that on this tour the audiences enjoy themselves and feel connected with the energy, emotions and beauty of the dancers.

“An audience is a very important part of a performance.  We can feel the energy of the audience from the first step on the stage.”

The 14-venue tour is presented by Dance Consortium, a group of 19 venues across the UK and Ireland who have come together to bring leading contemporary dance companies from across the globe to local audiences and Inês is keen to experience the towns and cities where São Paulo Dance Company will be performing.

“I am curious about all of the places we are visiting,” she says. “This is a world to discover together and it’s good that we can also learn a little bit about UK culture and how life is here.

“We are open to sharing ideas and sensations and we aim to meet people and understand different ways of looking at our world and our time. So, we are looking forward to showing audiences a little bit of our culture and, through the dance, we will all feel the energy of Brazil.”

Dance Consortium has become an audience favourite at Newcastle Theatre Royal, with memorable past productions including Dada Masilo’s The Sacrifice, Nederlands Dans Theater 2, Les Ballets Trockadero de Monte Carlo and most recently Ailey 2.

 

Show Photos: Tristram Kenton

Tickets:

São Paulo Dance Company visits Newcastle Theatre Royal Tuesday 5 – Wednesday 6 March 2024. Tickets can be purchased at www.theatreroyal.co.uk or from the Theatre Royal Box Office on 0191 232 7010.

 

25/02/2024

Preview: Opera North at Newcastle Theatre Royal

 

Love, Jealousy And Revenge: Opera North Returns To Newcastle Theatre Royal

 

Opera North

Newcastle Theatre Royal

Wednesday 13 – Saturday 16 March 2024 

Cavalleria rusticana Photo: Robert Workman

Experience captivating live performances and breathtaking artistry when Opera North visit Newcastle Theatre Royal. From Mozart’s comic look at love and fidelity in Così fan tutte to the destructive forces of obsession and jealousy in Cavalleria rusticana and Rachmaninov’s Aleko, Opera North promise to take audiences on a compelling journey through the human psyche, underpinned by some of opera’s most unforgettable scores.

The season opens with two short operas directed by Karolina Sofulak; the double bill pairs a revival of Mascagni’s Cavalleria rusticana with a new production of rarely performed Aleko (Wednesday 13 & Friday 15 March). The two works are perfect companion pieces, both written when their composers were young and exploring (with devastating insight) the obsession and jealousy ignited by seeing a previous lover in the arms of another.

Cavalleria rusticana Photo: Robert Workman

Many of the cast take roles in both works, including Robert Hayward, who sings Alfio in Cavalleria rusticana and the title role in Aleko. Anne-Marie Owens, who is originally from South Shields, also returns to Opera North to take on roles in both productions. Harry Sever conducts.

Mozart’s much-loved opera Così fan tutte (Wednesday 14 & Saturday 16 March) sees two sisters being put to the test by their fiancés in disguise, thanks to an ill-advised bet to prove that neither woman will remain faithful if tempted. What follows is a light-hearted look at romance filled with seduction, revelations and surprises, accompanied by opera’s trademark breathtaking vocals and powerful music.

Cosi fan tutte Photo: Tristram Kenton

Tim Albery’s classic production, set in the 18th century Age of Reason, features Alexandra Lowe as Fiordiligi and Heather Lowe as Dorabella, with Anthony Gregory and Henry Neill as their duplicitous lovers Ferrando and Guglielmo. Clemens Schuldt makes his Opera North debut conducting the beguiling score, one of Mozart’s most breathtakingly beautiful works. 

Cosi fan tutte Photo: Tristram Kenton

Tickets:

Under 30s and students can experience the passion and drama of live performance for just £10, while newcomers to opera can enjoy some of the best seats in the house with two tickets for £20 each through the ‘Try it ON’ scheme.

Tickets and more information for all performances can be found by visiting www.theatreroyal.co.uk or by calling the Theatre Royal Box Office on 0191 232 7010.

22/02/2024

Preview: Limelight by Janet Plater - On tour

 New play invites audiences to explore life backstage at Newcastle Theatre Royal in 1854


CaroleW Productions, with support from Newcastle Theatre Royal, presents

Limelight by Janet Plater

The tour will launch in Newcastle Theatre Royal’s newly refurbished Studio Theatre, Tuesday 8 April to Saturday 13 April 2024, before touring the North East & Cumbria until Saturday 4 May 2024


Direction Christina Berriman Dawson

Composer Wilf Stone

Design Consultant Lee Ward


Audiences are being invited to travel back to 1854 Newcastle and meet actresses Emily and Fanny as they excitedly await the arrival of Julia St George, a real-life star of the Victorian stage, in Limelight a funny, heart-warming new play by Janet Plater (Haddock & Chips). 

Based on the career of Julia St George, Limelight explores life backstage - full of dreams, aspirations and the odd secret. In October 1854, at the height of her fame, Julia returned to her hometown to make a star guest appearance at Newcastle Theatre Royal on Grey Street. Performed with songs from the era and original music by Wilf Stone, the play, directed by Christina Berriman Dawson, is set against a dramatic night in the city's history. 

Presented by CaroleW Productions, with support from Newcastle Theatre Royal, the tour will launch in the newly refurbished Studio Theatre at Newcastle Theatre Royal from Tuesday 8 April to Saturday 13 April, before touring the North East and Cumbria until Saturday 4 May. 

The real Julia St George. 

Carole Wears of CaroleW Productions said: “Brimming with humour and humanity, Limelight promises to capture the hearts and minds of audiences, transporting them to the Victorian era for a night of feel-good entertainment. 

Stopping off at fourteen venues across the North East & Cumbria, Limelight is a play about friendship, camaraderie and ultimately, the price of fame.

“Both moving and inspiring, this play has a big heart and features Janet Plater's shrewd eye for human character and trade mark empathy for her subjects. She has carefully crafted characters who call the stage their own but whose hopes, dreams and aspirations are played out backstage in their dressing room set against the backdrop of dramatic real events that took place in Newcastle during this time."

Limelight will open at Newcastle Theatre Royal and tour to Gala Durham; Blyth and Cramlington Libraries; Alnwick Playhouse; Queen’s Hall Arts Centre, Hexham; Newton & Bywell Village Hall; Middleton & Todridge Village Hall; Arts Centre Washington; Heslington & Brigsteer Village Hall; The Exchange 1856; Arnside Educational Institute; Trimdon Grange Community Association; Hamsteels Community Centre; Coundon & Leeholme Village Hall; St John’s Hall, Meadowfield and Saltburn Community Theatre before heading to Gosforth Civic Theatre on Saturday 4 May for two performances. 

Writer Janet Plater explains: "I first came across Julia St George in a book I was reading (about George Stephenson - whom I have also written a play about) and was fascinated to learn that this young woman, who was born on Broad Chare on Newcastle's quayside, had become such a big star. 

After working at Newcastle Theatre Royal, she left for London, performing at Sadlers Wells and all over the country. She was incredibly famous and would occasionally return to Newcastle for a guest appearance, which I thought was a brilliant starting point for a story." 

Newcastle Theatre Royal’s Chief Executive, Marianne Locatori said: “We're excited to support CaroleW Productions in bringing the story of Limelight to life on our Studio stage. We're looking forward to working together and are delighted to be launching the tour here at Newcastle Theatre Royal, where the real Julia St George performed many years ago."


Limelight will tour the North East & Cumbria from Tuesday 8 April to Saturday 4 May 2024. 

For more details and to book tickets, visit www.carolewproductions.com.


Suitability: 12+ 

Duration: Approx. 2 hours, including interval


Limelight Tour Dates & Venues

Tuesday 9 & Friday 12 April, 7pm - Newcastle Theatre Royal Studio

Wednesday 10, Thursday 11 & Saturday 13 April, 1pm & 7pm - Newcastle Theatre Royal Studio

Tuesday 16 April, 7.30pm - Gala Durham

Wednesday 17 April, 6pm - Blyth Library

Thursday 18 April, 7.30pm - Middleton & Todridge Village Hall *

Friday 19 April, 7.30pm - Newton & Bywell Village Hall *

Saturday 20 April, 7.30pm - Arnside Educational Institute *

Sunday 21 April, 7.30pm - Helsington & Brigsteer Village Hall *

Tuesday 23 April, 6.30pm - Cramlington Library

Wednesday 24 April, 7.30pm - Queen’s Hall Arts Centre, Hexham

Thursday 25 April 7.30pm - Arts Centre Washington

Friday 26 April, 7.30pm - Hamsteels Community Centre

Saturday 27 April 7.30pm - Saltburn Community Theatre

Sunday 28 April 3pm - St John's Hall, Meadowfield

Tuesday 30 April, 7.30pm - Coundon & Leeholme Community Centre

Wednesday 1 May 1pm & 7.30pm - North Shields The Exchange 1856

Thursday 2 May 7.30pm - Alnwick Playhouse

Friday 3 May 7.30pm - Trimdon Grange Community Centre

Saturday 4 May 1pm & 7pm - Gosforth Civic Theatre

* These dates are part of the Highlights Rural Touring Scheme.


21/02/2024

Preview: Bonnie & Clyde at Sunderland Empire

Catherine Tyldesley to star in the first ever UK & Ireland tour of the west end hit…

Bonnie & Clyde The Musical


Bonnie & Clyde

Sunderland Empire

Tuesday 19 – Saturday 23 March 2024

       Coronation Street and Strictly Come Dancing Star, Catherine Tyldesley will make her musical theatre debut in the role of Blanche Barrow visiting Sunderland Empire from 19 March 2024.

       Star of Heathers and Newsies, Alex James-hatton to play the role of Clyde Barrow in Sunderland - sharing the role across the tour with Eastenders’ Danny Hatchard.

       Bat Out Of Hell’s Katie Tonkinson to play Bonnie Parker

       The Cher Show’s Sam Ferriday will play Marvin “Buck” Barrow and soul and R&B artist, Jaz Ellington as the Preacher

       Nate Landskroner of Waitress and Heathers will be alternate Clyde

Fan-favourite and winner of Best New Musical (What’sOnStage Awards 2023),  Bonnie & Clyde The Musical has announced initial casting for the production’s first ever UK & Ireland tour in 2024.

Leading lady and Coronation Street and Strictly Come Dancing star, Catherine Tyldesley will make her musical theatre debut as Blanche Barrow sharing the role with Hollyoaks and Holby City’s Daisy Wood-Davis at certain venues on the tour. Catherine is joined in Sunderland by Heathers And Newsies star Alex James-Hatton, who will share the role of Clyde Barrow with Eastenders actor Danny Hatchard making his musical theatre debut across the tour.

Photo Richard Davenport
After wowing audiences in the West End and International Tour of Bat Out of Hell, Katie Tonkinson will play Bonnie Parker.

Photo Richard Davenport

Sam Ferriday, who has appeared in hit musicals such as Heathers, The Cher Show and Jersey Boys will play the role of Marvin “Buck” Barrow. R&B and Soul singer-songwriter Jaz Ellington, who has appeared on The Voice UK and Eurovision: You Decide, will play the role of The Preacher from 22 Feb - 27 July. Further casting will be announced soon.
Photo Richard Davenport

The UK & Ireland tour follows hot on the heels of two hell-raising hit seasons in London’s West End at the Arts Theatre and the Garrick Theatre. The eagerly awaited West End cast album was released in July and is available on all streaming platforms.
Photo Richard Davenport

Bonnie & Clyde The Musical is the story of two small-town kids from the middle of nowhere who became the biggest folk heroes in all America. They craved adventure - and each other. Fearless, shameless, and alluring, this is the electrifying story of love, adventure and crime that captured the attention of an entire nation.

Photo Richard Davenport
The production features music by Tony® nominee Frank Wildhorn (Jekyll & Hyde, The Scarlett Pimpernell), lyrics by Tony® and Oscar® winner Don Black (Sunset Boulevard, Aspects of Love), a book by Emmy® Award nominee Ivan Menchell (Blended [movie], The Cemetery Club, Death Note The Musical).

Photo Richard Davenport
Bonnie & Clyde The Musical is directed and choreographed by Nick Winston (Director of the feature film Tomorrow Morning, MAME, The Royal Variety Performance) with Set and Costume Design by Philip Witcomb (Atlantis, Stones In His Pockets, MAME), Musical Supervision from Katy Richardson (SIX, Rent, Jersey Boys), Associate Musical Supervision from Nick Barstow (Next to Normal, Bonnie & Clyde), Original Arrangements and Orchestrations by John McDaniel (Patti Lupone: Live, Annie Get Your Gun), Additional Arrangements & Orchestrations by Jen Green (Fantastically Great Women, Vanara), Lighting Design by Zoe Spurr (Fantastically Great Women, Hamlet at Theatre Royal Windsor), Sound Design by Tom Marshall (The Drifter’s Girl, Nativity The Musical, Curtains), Video Design by Nina Dunn (The Shark Is Broken, Lazuli Sky), Wig Design by Darren Ware (Bonnie & Clyde) and Casting Director Jim Arnold CDG (Wicked, The Prince of Egypt).

Photo Richard Davenport
Bonnie & Clyde The Musical is presented by Adam Paulden and Jason Haigh-Ellery for DLAP Group, an Olivier Award-winning production company with West End and UK Touring credits including Bonnie and Clyde in Concert, Rock of Ages, Company, Fame, Curtains, The Wedding Singer, The Last Five Years and The Last King of Scotland. 
Photo Richard Davenport

Tickets:

Bonnie & Clyde will hit Sunderland Empire’s stage from Tuesday 19 – Saturday 23 March 2024. Tickets available from £13 at http://tinyurl.com/SUNDbonnieclydeTickets*A £3.65 transaction fee applies to online bookings. 

19/02/2024

Interview: The Full Monty Cast at Newcastle Theatre Royal

 

Interview:

The Full Monty Cast on what to expect of the new touring production

The Full Monty

Newcastle Theatre Royal

Tuesday 27 February – Saturday 2 March 2024

THE FULL MONTY. Bill Ward, Danny Hatchard, Neil Hurst, Nicholas Prasad
and Leyon Stolz-Hunter.

Based on the 1997 smash-hit film, still very much of our time, The Full Monty visits Newcastle Theatre Royal promising laughter, heart and unforgettable moments.

The new production of the award-winning play features TV favourites Danny Hatchard (EastEnders), Jake Quickenden (X Factor, I’m A Celebrity…) and Bill Ward (Emmerdale, Coronation Street). We caught up with the cast to chat about bringing the production across the country and why this heartwarming comedy is still relevant to audiences today...

25 years since the movie, The Full Monty is having a resurgence, with the Disney+ spin-off series and this new touring production. Why do you think the story has stood the test of time?

Danny Hatchard: Is there a more iconic working-class comedy than The Full Monty? I’d argue not. Especially one that covers so many incredibly important topics that are still very relevant today… Fathers’ rights, depression, suicide, impotence, homosexuality, unemployment, body image. Tackling important subjects like these whilst adding a sprinkle of nostalgia and a dash of humour takes the audience on a 2-hour emotional rollercoaster filled with tears and belly laughter. This show is not only a cocktail of excellence, but also hugely relatable to both men and women.

Jake Quickenden: It’s a story for everyone and it has everything – love, humour, sensitive subjects, the lot. So many people can relate to the characters, they draw on relationships that affect everyone, ex-wife, ex-wife’s new husband, kid that lives with mum, lads, being skint, the list goes on and on. It means that’s everyone who watches it can feel like its speaking to them, and then of course, there is the brilliant humour, the dancing and everything that goes with it!

Bill Ward: Because at its core it revolves around a number of universal, timeless themes: male brotherhood, love, overcoming loss and adversity, and ingenious solutions to universal recognisable problems. This is essentially about 6 men who’ve lost not only their jobs, but their sense of identity and their dignity. And what they’re prepared to do to get them back.

Bill Ward, Danny Hatchard, Nicholas Prasad, Neil Hurst and Leyon Stolz-Hunter.

The play is ultimately a comedy but explores some tough issues around male body image and mental health. In what ways do you think the themes within the production are relevant for audiences today?

DH: They’re almost indistinguishable. If anything, times are harder now on men (and women) than they ever have been, especially regarding body image and mental health - social media being the main driving force of that. Every day people post their idea of “perfection” all over the internet, and naturally we compare. I’d say The Full Monty is just as important now as it was 25 years ago. There used to be more of a sense of community and care for one another, and I feel social media is pushing us further and further away from our natural way of communicating. The Full Monty is a hilarious, thought-provoking show that will make you feel part of a community again. Who doesn’t want to experience that?

JQ: A lot of people ask this, and do you know, I think it led the way with a lot of these conversations – it was 97’ when then film came out, men didn’t really share their issues with each other, and it was still pretty taboo to be open about mental health and being gay. This story reminds us of lots of things that are more accepted today, but still very important – talking to people if you are feeling down – there is always another way out rather than suicide. Being yourself in the world is nothing to be ashamed of. Your body is the only one you have, love it no matter how it looks, everyone likes something different. Just because you are old doesn’t mean you can’t do something… there are just so many messages in here for everyone.

BW: There are so many things in this play that resonate today. Simon Beaufoy, the writer, came to see us during rehearsals, and he was very clear it wasn’t a comedy at all. “A play with jokes”, is how he described it. It is of course very funny indeed, but the comedy actually comes from the very real tragedy that all these characters are facing in their lives… different circumstances, different starting points, but real grief and tragedy nevertheless.

Danny Hatchard and Company
There’s a brotherhood between the men in the play – how well have you bonded with your cast members?

DH: The casting team have done an incredible job. I love and respect every member of this cast very much. They say time flies when you’re having fun. Well, 2 hours feels like 20 minutes onstage with this lot. We’re all just a bunch of good mates having a wonderful time. Every scene feels effortless, and I trust them all implicitly.

JQ: I don’t want to sound cliché but literally everyone is so close. Usually, you get little cliques growing but we all genuinely get on so well, and because a lot of the scenes include all of us, we just have a laugh and get closer and closer every day. Then there are all the memories we are making as we tour the UK and all those different theatres, hotels, lunch breaks all end up building to create this huge happy family. Plus, we are all hilarious which helps! I would say Alice (Schofield) is the Robin to my Batman – we are joined at the hip!

BW: This is a wonderful cast and crew. Hugely talented, and lovely too. We’re a very happy band of sisters and brothers.

Bill Ward and Neil Hurst.
How are you feeling about going on tour? What are you most looking forward to about touring with this production?

DH: Bigger audiences. When you know you’ve got something good you want to share it with the world. So, the bigger the audience the better.

JQ: It sounds obvious but literally being somewhere different every week or so keeps the energy alive, we know that all the audiences are seeing it for the first time, and it helps the electricity between us keep buzzing onstage. Plus, we get a chance to potter about during the day and see all these different places and hang out with cast members. It’s also pretty cool that friends and family from all over the UK can try and get to a show as there is usually one heading to a theatre near them.

BW: There’s an awful lot of heart, warmth, and joy in this production, and it’s a huge amount of fun to do. Sharing a bit of that with the good people of the UK in these otherwise rather bleak times can only be a good thing.

Jake Quickenden.
What do you hope audiences will take away from seeing this production of The Full Monty?

DH: Pure unadulterated happiness.

JQ: The main thing is – be yourself, never give up, never listen to what anyone thinks and just do you! The story is sad at times, but every character overcomes their worries in some way and ends with success! It’s a feel-good show which keeps people laughing even when they are crying.

BW: This is a very beautiful, heartwarming and at times very moving story. It’s also very, very funny indeed and an absolute riot at the end. A properly banging night out at the theatre.


This fast and funny play, still very much of our time, showcases friendship, resilience and the power of self-discovery. A poignant tale with hilarious mishaps, and a soundtrack including 80s and 90s classics, The Full Monty was a firm audience favourite when it last visited Newcastle in 2019 and promises once again to be a rollercoaster ride of ups and downs, laughs and heartbreak! 

Photos: Ellie Kurttz

 

Tickets:

The Full Monty plays Newcastle Theatre Royal Tuesday 27 February – Saturday 2 March 2024. Tickets can be purchased at www.theatreroyal.co.uk or from the Theatre Royal Box Office on 0191 232 7010.