Published: Thursday, 11th June, 2009 8:30am

The Full Monty

by Barrie Theobald

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The Hexagon

The Full Monty at The Hexagon, Reading

Loosely based on the 1997 British comedy film the musical version is set in Buffalo with a book by Terrence McNally and score by David Yazbek.

There it also told the tale of how six out of work steel workers decided to form a strip act as a means of raising badly needed cash. In Masquerade Theatre Company"s production David Izzo was outstanding as Jerry, who, while low on cash and with a failed marriage, also finds himself facing the possibility of also losing access to his son Nathan (a well-defined performance by young Jamie Boshier) before suddenly hitting on the idea of forming a male strippers group after seeing the queues that formed when the Chippendales performed at the local social club.

Reluctantly joined by his over-weight friend Dave (Martin Cooper) the duo set out to recruit other diverse members to the group, all of whom had their own personal anxieties to overcome before performing "the full monty" just once together. Very much a male dominated show; we were treated to some appealing interludes from the ladies of the cast, especially Penny Matthews" delightful portrayal as Jeanette, the blasé "seen-it-all before" showbiz musician who accompanied the boys" rehearsals.