The Full Monty rehearsal in September

By Lisa Parent

Review: The Full Monty

Oct 20, 2023 | 10:42 AM

MEDICINE HAT, AB – I didn’t know what The Fully Monty meant before, but I definitely do now. This Medicine Hat Musical Theatre production, directed by Becky Grewer, is brimming with adult humor, camaraderie and some impactful personal moments.

This was originally a 1997 British comedy film directed by Peter Cattaneo. It follows the lives of unemployed steel workers, who struggle to uphold the ideal of ‘being the man of the household.’ Desperate for work and to provide for their children and wives, they turn to stripping.

The musical adaptation is set in Buffalo, New York and wastes no time. Right from the top, you encounter a bold scene that immediately sets the tone for the type of performance you’re about to experience.

This specific viewing on Wednesday night had the crowd laughing through all three hours of production. In between these funny moments, some more serious topics were discussed. This included ideas of body image and how women and men view themselves and each other. While these topics were laced with jokes, the underlying gravity of the subject was always evident.

I quickly grew to admire the actors and actresses for their ability to confidently embody their characters and the spirit of the show.

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It was impossible to ignore the substantial impact of the supporting roles in this production. Notably, Noah (Horse) Simmons, Malcolm Macgregor, and Jeanette Burmeister delivered standout comedic performances.

Additionally, I was thoroughly impressed by Nathan Lukowski, the youngest member of the cast. The relationship between the two main characters, Jerry Lukowski and Dave Cannon was also hilarious, especially their non-verbal communication with each other during the bathroom scene.

I would recommend this show to anyone wanting a good laugh and are comfortable with mature humor.

Show Dates

Oct. 20, 21,
Oct. 26, 27, 28
Nov 2, 3, 4

Tickets $50.00 + gst

Doors open at 7pm. Show at 8pm.