Stripping Off with the Cast and Director of ‘The Full Monty’
In this Americanized musical stage version adapted from the 1997 British film of the same name, six unemployed Buffalo steelworkers, led by ex-foreman Jerry Lukowski, decide to present a strip act at a local club after seeing their wives' enthusiasm for a touring company of Chippendales. As they prepare for the show, working through their fears, self-consciousness, and anxieties, they overcome their inner demons and find strength in their camaraderie.
Beyond the Curtain sat down with actors Chris Cooper-Hayes (Jerry) and Allan Smith (Dave), along with director Steve Elliott, for a chat about the show, hitting the gym, and the struggle to sleep after rehearsals …
BTC: Before we get into the finer points of the show, which characters are you guys playing, and can you tell us a little something about them.
Chris: Jerry is a lovely character to play. He’s the guy who messes things up at every turn but never gives in. He has a chequered past, a failed marriage, served time in jail and is in debt, and now he risks losing custody of his son. But Jerry also has a charm to him and is a fast thinker. So, he does what unlikely heroes do; he digs into reserves of courage and relies on his survival instincts to find a way to make things right again. His genius plan? A strip tease with five other out of shape, out of work fellas.
Allan: Dave is a down on his luck sweetheart (literally, can't put the sugar down) who is best friends with Jerry and struggling to keep his married with Georgie alive as he wrestles with his loss of identity.
BTC: Steve, how do you approach staging and directing a play or musical, and what important qualities do you look for in your cast?
Steve: With script in hand; it all starts with the acting. Once I understand a performer, I find it very exciting to bring the character’s thoughts and feelings to the fore. When starting to unpick the script and understand the author’s motivation, you realise that there is always a reason that influenced the writing. Discovering an empathy with the script brings out the very best of the words and the lyrics written.
My task as a director and the job of an actor is to find the most honest way of understanding and then portraying that piece of writing and emotion, to do justice to how it was written. Trust is built and this allows a safe space to explore different versions of delivery. Once it has been played with, you sometimes hit gold. I look for passion and desire to tell the story. The ability to immerse oneself in another. You see it when someone walks into an audition room. Actors have an air of purpose, empathy, thought and focus. As in real life, these qualities vary hugely from person to person. But, always, you spot the more committed person very quickly. I also love working with people who want to be challenged and who enjoy ‘playing with the script’. ‘Honest’ acting comes in letting go of restraint and being open and receptive to suggestion.
BTC: How did you approach playing your characters; what did you have to think about, and how do they differ to you?
Allan: I have a kindred spirithood with Dave. A lot of the themes he encapsulates are ones I've touched – unemployment, weight problems, drifting relationship – so it's nice being able to bring some hope to other guys who maybe struggle with these. The power of taking on a challenge with a bunch of guys is invigorating. My favourite song is ‘Big Ass Rock’; it's not uncommon for me to sing about these heavy topics have done improv for so long, but never with such beautiful harmonies!
Chris: I find Jerry quite easy to relate to. I’ve been in the dark holes of despair and felt like I wasn’t worth much to anyone, and I hold those thoughts when Jerry is fighting to keep his head above water and avoid losing his son (my favourite song is ‘Breeze Off the River’, about how much Jerry loves his kid despite feeling like a lousy father). Yet he is immensely likeable and generous of heart. Mental health is a big part of this show. All the guys have self-esteem issues. They are at their worst without a purpose or a job. Jerry is an unlikely leader, who is literally winging his way through life. I love his optimism, and he has taught me a lot about myself. He takes the blows but comes back swinging and somehow out of the chaos of his life, does what very few would be brave enough to do - The Full Monty!
In this Americanized musical stage version adapted from the 1997 British film of the same name, six unemployed Buffalo steelworkers, led by ex-foreman Jerry Lukowski, decide to present a strip act at a local club after seeing their wives' enthusiasm for a touring company of Chippendales. As they prepare for the show, working through their fears, self-consciousness, and anxieties, they overcome their inner demons and find strength in their camaraderie.
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| Director Steve Elliott. Photo by Poyner and Mee |
Beyond the Curtain sat down with actors Chris Cooper-Hayes (Jerry) and Allan Smith (Dave), along with director Steve Elliott, for a chat about the show, hitting the gym, and the struggle to sleep after rehearsals …
BTC: Before we get into the finer points of the show, which characters are you guys playing, and can you tell us a little something about them.
Chris: Jerry is a lovely character to play. He’s the guy who messes things up at every turn but never gives in. He has a chequered past, a failed marriage, served time in jail and is in debt, and now he risks losing custody of his son. But Jerry also has a charm to him and is a fast thinker. So, he does what unlikely heroes do; he digs into reserves of courage and relies on his survival instincts to find a way to make things right again. His genius plan? A strip tease with five other out of shape, out of work fellas.
Allan: Dave is a down on his luck sweetheart (literally, can't put the sugar down) who is best friends with Jerry and struggling to keep his married with Georgie alive as he wrestles with his loss of identity.
BTC: Steve, how do you approach staging and directing a play or musical, and what important qualities do you look for in your cast?
Steve: With script in hand; it all starts with the acting. Once I understand a performer, I find it very exciting to bring the character’s thoughts and feelings to the fore. When starting to unpick the script and understand the author’s motivation, you realise that there is always a reason that influenced the writing. Discovering an empathy with the script brings out the very best of the words and the lyrics written.
My task as a director and the job of an actor is to find the most honest way of understanding and then portraying that piece of writing and emotion, to do justice to how it was written. Trust is built and this allows a safe space to explore different versions of delivery. Once it has been played with, you sometimes hit gold. I look for passion and desire to tell the story. The ability to immerse oneself in another. You see it when someone walks into an audition room. Actors have an air of purpose, empathy, thought and focus. As in real life, these qualities vary hugely from person to person. But, always, you spot the more committed person very quickly. I also love working with people who want to be challenged and who enjoy ‘playing with the script’. ‘Honest’ acting comes in letting go of restraint and being open and receptive to suggestion.
BTC: How did you approach playing your characters; what did you have to think about, and how do they differ to you?
Allan: I have a kindred spirithood with Dave. A lot of the themes he encapsulates are ones I've touched – unemployment, weight problems, drifting relationship – so it's nice being able to bring some hope to other guys who maybe struggle with these. The power of taking on a challenge with a bunch of guys is invigorating. My favourite song is ‘Big Ass Rock’; it's not uncommon for me to sing about these heavy topics have done improv for so long, but never with such beautiful harmonies!
Chris: I find Jerry quite easy to relate to. I’ve been in the dark holes of despair and felt like I wasn’t worth much to anyone, and I hold those thoughts when Jerry is fighting to keep his head above water and avoid losing his son (my favourite song is ‘Breeze Off the River’, about how much Jerry loves his kid despite feeling like a lousy father). Yet he is immensely likeable and generous of heart. Mental health is a big part of this show. All the guys have self-esteem issues. They are at their worst without a purpose or a job. Jerry is an unlikely leader, who is literally winging his way through life. I love his optimism, and he has taught me a lot about myself. He takes the blows but comes back swinging and somehow out of the chaos of his life, does what very few would be brave enough to do - The Full Monty!
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| Chris Cooper-Hayes and Allan Smith in rehearsals. Photo by Poyner and Mee |
BTC: What have been your favourite points of rehearsals?
Chris: I love being around the energy and talent of all these amazing performers. Jerry is rarely off stage, so it’s actually really nice to be able to stand in the wings and see other scenes coming together. There are some cracking duets with really wonderful singers, and I get the biggest smile on my face watching everyone sparkle. That’s what it’s about for me, I think.
Allan: I've loved all the laughter, the dedication everyone has put in, and how much of a challenge such a big (boned) role this has been. Also being able to eat as much as I want.
Steve: It’s mainly all been rewarding!! The whole cast have been superb and have totally bought into what I am trying to achieve. I won’t single anyone out, simply because I honestly believe that everyone is giving their very best. Performances have evolved over the rehearsal period to being of real quality and full of commitment. The leads are very strong and have a deep understanding of their characters. The small supporting chorus bring superb life and energy, and together , as a team, we hope the show will be both entertaining and poignant for our audiences.
BTC: And dare we ask, your least favourite points?!
Allan: The hardest parts is singing the songs, they're outside my comfortable range, but I'm loving the stretch.
Chris: I have been on a bit of a boot camp in readiness for the show, doing HIIT training to improve my fitness and everything else I can to help me get the best from my singing voice. In the end it’s down to me to nail this, so I am literally throwing everything I have at it to put on the best performance I can!
Steve: Going to sleep after rehearsals!
BTC: Steve, as the captain of this ship, we’ll give you the last word: what’s the best part of the show?!
Steve: Oooh, now that is a difficult one! But it must be the final routine, the lads’ strip! The excitement in the rehearsal room is through the roof! So, I cannot wait to see the audience’s reaction. It will be amazing!!!
‘The Full Monty’ is playing at The Little Theatre, Leicester, between 1st – 5th April 2025. Tickets can be purchased here: https://thelittletheatre.co.uk/whats-on/the-full-monty/
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