Based on the 1990s American hit movie, The Full Monty tells the story of unemployed steelworkers who decide to become male strippers to earn money, regain their fractured self-respect, and retrieve their family relationships.

This live stage version features a talented cast of more than 20, Sean Lee Hardy particularly strong as Jerry Lukowski, and a sensational live orchestra starring John Sutton on bass, and drummer Dan Priest.

Set in Buffalo, New York State, American accents are very accomplished, the location emphasising the gritty, honest working-class attitudes of people badly affected by 1980s unemployment and resulting poverty.

This is a pacy entertaining production with convincing costumes, creative and effective set designs (particularly the Gents toilets scene with its rousing vocal number It’s A Woman’s World), and brilliant lighting (especially in the dramatically controversial final revealing scene).

As a musical, there are many strong numbers, particularly the thought-provoking Scrap, and the show-stopping You Rule My World.

In what could be a dark depressing storyline there is nevertheless some sparkling humour, from the hilarious Nursing Home scene, to the bittersweet Funeral scene with its powerful ballad You Walk With Me revealing personal secrets, and the subtle would-be strippers’ dance moves.

Having an audience-within-the-audience prior to the final scene is an ingenious technique.

This explosive show contains very strong language and full frontal male nudity.

The feel-good Full Monty runs until Saturday with extra matinee performance on Saturday.

Brendan McCusker