HATS off to the cast of The Full Monty, which is every bit as brilliant as I had hoped.

Eighteen years since the film hit cinemas, and on its second visit to Southampton, the stage version of The Full Monty is more relevant than ever, coming at a time when the closure of another British steelworks is hitting the headlines.

A superb cast with great chemistry retell the story of six redundant Sheffield steelworkers who form an unlikely dance troupe in a bid to raise some much-needed cash.

In The Full Monty, creator Simon Beaufoy, the Oscar winner who was responsible for the movie, has tweaked the script to bring us a play bursting with wit, yet deeply touching.

All the favourite scenes are recreated in hysterical style.

The audience lapped up every moment of the job centre toetapping, gnomes ruining Gerald’s job interview and Dave wrapping himself in cling film before tucking into a Mars bar.

But lines like ‘you’ve got knockers, we want knobs’ and ‘you can’t catch Conservatism’ add even more laugh-out-loud moments.

Daily Echo:

Even a suicide attempt by Lomper is treated with gallows humour.

Who would have thought a show which includes themes of suicide, unemployment, impotence and despair could be described as feelgood? But every single audience member left the theatre beaming from ear to ear after joining in with the lively atmosphere.

Once I got used to his Sheffield accent, TV star Gary Lucy gave a compelling performance as a desperate dad determined to continue seeing his son.

The scenes with son Nathan (scene-stealing Fraser Kelly) were particularly amusing yet poignant.

But, this is essentially an ensemble piece and there isn’t a weak link in the entire cast, many of whom play a number of characters.

Daily Echo:

The whole show goes off with a bang, especially the climactic scene in which these brave men strip to the uproarious delight of an adoring audience.

The Full Monty runs until Saturday. Tickets: 023 8071 1811 or visit mayflower.org.uk