BACK in 1997 a film about a group of unemployed South Yorkshire steelworkers who form a male striptease act to make some cash was a surprise hit.
The Full Monty became a classic of British cinema, a film made on a $3 million budget which grossed a staggering $258 million worldwide. It won an Oscar for Best Original Musical or Comedy Score and was nominated for Best Picture, and it inspired a hit stage musical.
Now - 26 years after The Full Monty was released - the cast has reunited for a new TV spin-off series, which dropped on Disney+ this week. Helmed by original writer Simon Beaufoy, Oscar-winning screenwriter from Glusburn, the eight-part series catches up with the characters in Sheffield a quarter of a century on, and finds them still dealing with tough times. The cast includes Shipley actor Steve Huison, reprising his role as Lomper, and 12-year-old Aiden Cook, who attends screen acting classes at Articulate in Bradford.
Aiden plays Twiglet, a schoolboy who is bullied. “Dave, played by Mark Addy, takes him under his wing. They have a good friendship,” says Aiden. “It’s great to be part of such a big show. I’ve seen the original film, it’s really funny. It’s cool to see what’s going on with them all now.”
Aiden landed the role after being called for a second audition. “I didn’t look like they originally wanted, but after my audition they got in touch to say I’d got the part. I was so excited, but a bit scared too.”
Working with such big names as Robert Carlyle, Mark Addy, Lesley Sharp and Tom Wilkinson, Aiden said he learned a lot from the filming process. “There was one day when I filmed with them all and I was terrified walking onto set, but they were just like normal people. They were really friendly and made me feel relaxed,” says Aiden. “I learned a lot from them. They’re all amazing actors.”
Filming took place last year in Sheffield, and a Manchester school. Aiden, described as “a standout” by one critic, had to learn to dance for a comic scene with Mark Addy. “I had a part in All Creatures Great and Small, but The Full Monty is my first bigger role,” says Aiden, who joined the cast for the glitzy UK premiere this month. “The premiere was amazing. It was in Sheffield, we all walked up the blue carpet and the Press were there taking photos. People were asking for selfies and autographs. It was a lot of fun.”
Aiden is looking forward to watching the show with his family. “I’ve seen the first two episodes. I don’t really like watching myself on screen but it’ll be good to see the whole series,” he says. “I love acting and I’d like to make it a career. I really enjoyed working with Mark Addy, he’s so nice. He’s a big inspiration. I hope that if I become an actor like him I will take the time to help younger actors too.”
Articulate principal Stacey Burrows says: “We are so incredibly proud of Aiden. He started Articulate as a novice, having no on-set experience. To watch him grow as an actor over the years has been wonderful.
“He started with a few small supporting artist roles in shows like Ackley Bridge and was lucky enough to land a small speaking role in All Creatures Great and Small, which he filmed in the Dales last year. He went on to audition, successfully, for Disney’s The Full Monty. Aiden’s audition tape was great for the role of Twiglet, and after a few meetings with the casting team and director, he was offered the role. He was very excited, and so were we!
“Bradford Grammar School pupil Daya Sigh Athwal, who also attends Articulate classes, also appears in a speaking role in the show. It’s a much smaller role, but it’s been great for Daya to build his experience and work with such renowned actors. It’s such an iconic story, I think most of the UK is keen to see what happens.”
Speaking at the premiere, Robert Carlyle said the political messaging of the original shoestring budget production has survived the move to Disney: “In that respect, it’s exactly the same. These men have lived through what everybody in this country has lived through - 25 years, near enough, of austerity. Their whole being has been chipped away, the whole infrastructure of the country has been chipped away.” He said the show hasn’t shied away from these issues: “To be honest, I don’t think myself or any of the boys would have done it, if it had. And, certainly, Simon Beaufoy wouldn’t have attempted to write it.”
Carlyle, who plays central character Gaz, said Beaufoy had been asked for years about making a film sequel but turned it down. When he got in touch about an eight-part series set 25 years later, “that was it, there was nothing else he had to say, I thought ‘absolutely’.” He decided to watch the film again before filming on the spin-off started, but only intended to watch the first 15 minutes. “But I watched the whole thing. And it was fantastic because it gave me a different perspective. I was able to see that this little film has got a heart, and I can understand why people love it so much, and have done for 25 years.”
Mark Addy said it was a “no brainer” once he found out the others were interested. He too says the show retains the film’s political punch: “Well, the first episode is called Levelling-Up, the second episode is called Supply Chain Economics...it’s completely political. It explores all facets of society, the care system, the NHS, food banks. It’s like we’re back to square one - what are people going to do to get through this? We can maybe give them a little hope and a few laughs on the way. But there are tears as well.”
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