16 September 2026
By Simon Beaufoy. Director: Emily Armstrong. Choreographer: Janine Henderson
Based on the 1997 film of the same name, this is the story of a group of unemployed Sheffield steel workers who decide to do a one-off strip evening to make money. I loved the fact that the play was very true to the storyline of the film.
I saw this at the beautiful Sutton Arts Theatre where the house lights are chandeliers, and the atmosphere is always electric. The house was full to bursting, which shows the esteem this lovely little theatre is held in.
Sutton Arts always does sets so well and this was no exception. The stage was beautifully set, with all the trappings of a disused factory, including a crane! The play was filled with short scenes, which really kept the backstage crew on their toes. Set changes were accomplished quietly, and at lightning speed, with little interruption to the action. Set designer Mark Nattrass did an amazing job. Sets were beautifully painted and very detailed.
Sound and lighting were perfect; well-designed and always right on cue. The crane kept exploding and the whole audience shrieked and laughed every time. Direction, by Emily Armstrong, was fantastic. If a director is bad, it’s obvious. But when a director is this good, the whole thing just runs seamlessly. The whole production team did an amazing job.
The play started with a screen showing newsreel footage from the time of the decline of the steel industry. The murmurs of the audience showed we all remember those awful days.
We were treated to a bare bum a few minutes into the play, and it wasn’t the only one! There had been conversation among the audience about whether the cast would, in fact, bare all – but I’m not telling. Yet!
On to the cast. Rob Phillips was just great as the grumpy Gerald. He has a deadpan brilliance, and his comic timing is perfect. Sarah Stanley was just right for the role of Lind, Gerald’s wife.
Oliver Farrelly was brilliant as Gaz. He was great at comedy but also really good in the more moving moments, when Gaz was just trying to do right by Nathan, and still getting it wrong. Freddie Smith was excellent as Nathan. He gave a really mature, naturalistic performance. Michelle Riley was great as Mandy. Her performance was absolutely believable as the protective mum.
Dave was really brought to life by Luke Saldana. I loved his self-consciousness about his body, and it was very moving when he cling-filmed himself to try to lose weight. There were lots of ‘ahhs’ among the audience. Jayne Lunn was just fantastic as his wife, Jean. She gave a lovely, natural performance.
I absolutely loved the way Jerome Pinnock-Glasgow limped in as Horse. He was fabulous, and the audience whooped and cheered when he danced. Paul Atkins was brilliant as Guy. He was so funny and he looked like he was having real fun in the role. Ethan Gibson played Lomper very well. From his attempt to ‘do away’ with himself, to realising he was gay as soon as he set his eyes on Guy, he played a whole gamut of emotions, and did so brilliantly.
Andrew Tomlinson was just right as Alan. He was perfectly grumpy to begin with, and great at the end when he was acting as compere at the strip night.
The cast was really well supported by the ensemble. Everyone was just right at all times, and I loved the drunken women.
The action moved smoothly at all times. I didn’t hear a single prompt. Everyone was well rehearsed, spoke really well and was where they needed to be at all times. I was right at the back of the theatre and I heard every word. I would suggest slightly longer pauses when getting the big laughs, though. Once or twice, a line was drowned out by laughter.
This wasn’t an easy play to put on. The sheer amount of set changes, the movement between places, the dancing, the ‘moonies’, and the strip show at the end kept the cast and crew on their toes at all times. The audience loved it. We clapped, shouted, and tapped our feet to the music. And I shouted and cheered as loud as anyone.
And did they? YES. They did! This lot go ALL the way! The audience absolutely erupted; screaming, cheering and laughing with sheer joy, and you could see the happiness on the faces of the cast.
What an absolute treat. Certainly better than wash night at the old folks home!
Sutton Arts, you were great. Thank you.
Reviewed by – Lesley L.
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