The Eric franchise completes its celebratory year with a re-run of Eric’s Full Monty. This production was one of the first to take to the stage after the Covid lockdown and regulations were still in place to limit the size of audiences and have the theatre-goers sitting a distance apart.
So, when David Graham – the man behind the Eric façade – decided to celebrate his 25th year of marvellously silly entertainment by having audience members vote for two productions from the more than forty plays written by him as a lap of honour for the years of fun it was Full Monty that won with the other recommendations barely getting a look in. Pardon the pun.
Many will have voted for Monty despite never seeing it before due to their inability to obtain one of the limited number of tickets available back in 2021. A word of warning here. Tickets have been selling very quickly and – despite an extra couple of nights being added to the run – they are becoming as rare as an Oasis gig.
However, if you have already bought a ticket, you can rest assured that a fabulous night is in store for you whether it is your first viewing of a play that had the ladies screaming and the gentlemen screaming with laughter or a re-visit. This is Fun with a capital F.
In many ways the plot doesn’t matter in an Eric play. You are guaranteed a night of laughter interlaced with some memorably presented music that has all those that are able on their feet and joining in the party. However, for what it’s worth, here is a brief synopsis.
The play opens with Eric (David Graham) and Bev (Laura Sheppard) returning from holiday in Las Vegas. After one tequila too many, they are horrified to find that they are now a married couple after a service by “Elvis” and have to begin their life of dubious wedded bliss with no money in the bank and no prospects of earning the money required.
However, Bev has an idea to raise money after a clandestine visit to a nightclub where a group of men known as the Chippendales were performing. Why not form a Potteries version of the group?
Eric pooh-poohs the idea but neighbour Nobby (Andrew Farrell) – one of life’s perpetual losers – jumps at the chance to be in the spotlight and reckons that some of his unemployed mates will also be interested.
Tony (Harvey James) and Alessandro (Alex Wengel) are keen to join in but Steve (Alan Howell) – despite claiming to be a huge hit with the women – is reluctant to participate especially as he and Nobby have a running feud. A mention of the money to be made is the deciding factor.
There is a fly in the ointment though. Tony’s wife Ruth (Carly Cook) is very much against the project and she and Eric hatch a plot to scupper the event at the North Stafford Hotel.
The first rehearsal is hilariously inept but by the interval something like a routine has been created. But will the authorities put an end to Bev’s idea? If you buy a ticket, then all will be revealed.
The eagle-eyed reader will have noticed that there are a number of new cast members but can rest assured that they have all been granted Eric’s seal of approval and seamlessly fit into the action. Ably accompanied in the band by drummer Tom Bevan and multi-instrumentalist/vocalist Joe Cocks, the audience member can enjoy a joyous and heart-warming entry to the festive season.
Like Rocky Horror Show aficionados, Eric fans join in the action and bring their own props. They know exactly what they like and will see. Sophisticated humour? No. Philosophical discussions? No. Scenes that invoke life-changing thoughts? Definitely not. An evening that will be so entertaining that you will be desperate for the next time you can visit the theatre? ABSO-LUTE-LY
So put away those home-made buttercups and Eric tee-shirts for the moment. But remember where you store them. Eric will be starting another twenty-five years of mayhem with new titles in the very near future. Like you, I just cannot wait.
Eric’s Full Monty has a running time of approximately 2 hours 50 minutes and continues until December 10th. For ticket information contact 01782 717962 or tickets@newvictheatre.org.uk
