The Full Monty to open Barn Theatre's 2026-27 season

The classic comedy, written by Simon Beaufoy, will open on September 18, with a charity preview night on September 17 in support of Prostate Cancer UK.

Directed by Hannah Sayer, the play tells the story of a group of unemployed steelworkers in 1990s Sheffield who form a male striptease act to earn money and reclaim their dignity.

Hannah said: "Masculine vulnerability runs through every layer of The Full Monty.

Rehearsals are under way for the Barn Theatre production (Image: Barn Theatre)

"In Gaz, Dave, and their friends, we see sensitive treatments of many areas of anxiety, around social status, family roles, financial security, and, with remarkable delicacy, body image and sexuality.

"Their bodies are not the only things being laid bare; the most intimate aspects of the characters’ inner lives are also in the spotlight."

She previously directed Calendar Girls at the Barn Theatre in 2023.

Hannah said: "The Full Monty was a pioneer in encouraging ordinary men to be open about their feelings, in a time where 'men don't talk about feelings', 'stiff upper lip', and 'real men don't cry' were the norm.

"In showing that this isn't the case, that men expressing emotion is healthy, even if the delivery is a little awkward (it was still the 90s, after all), the play remains strikingly relatable to modern audiences."

The comedy will run at the Barn Theatre in September (Image: Barn Theatre)

She hopes that audiences will come away from this production thoroughly well-entertained and at the same time reflective and uplifted.

The Full Monty is based on Beaufoy’s 1997 film and was first adapted for the stage in 2013.

It has since been revived in venues across the UK and in Australia.

Set in Sheffield, the story follows Gaz and Dave, two out-of-work steelworkers who hatch a plan to form a strip act after witnessing the popularity of a touring male revue.

The Full Monty opens the Barn Theatre’s 2026-27 season (Image: Barn Theatre)

Evening performances will take place from September 17 to 26 at 8pm, with a 2.30pm matinee on the final day.

Tickets are priced at £16 and are available through the Barn Theatre box office on 01707 324300 or online at www.barntheatre.co.uk.

The play contains references to suicide.