Rehearsals for The Full Monty started back in the summer and they were intense and quick, but fun. I was so excited when I got the call to audition for the role of Dave. It’s a wonderful part made famous by the brilliant Mark Addy in the equally brilliant movie. He’s a fun character as he’s one of the lads but is also a sensitive soul with a few issues about his appearance and lacks confidence in the bedroom department (!).
We’ve been ‘on the road’ since September at a different venue every week which has been absolutely brilliant so far. Each city has a completely a different vibe, and we’ve had really different audiences – from the ‘screamers’ in Scotland who throw their pants on stage, to hecklers in Liverpool, but they have all been equally excellent. The buzz you get from performing to full houses is absolutely amazing. I don’t think there’s a greater thrill in life really. I feel like we take the audience on a huge journey night after night. They come to see the show expecting one thing and leave feeling both uplifted and touched. The Full Monty isn’t just about a striptease (although for a lot of our female audiences, that’s obviously a – innuendo alert – huge draw), it’s a great heartfelt story about 6 out of work, down-and-out lads who have real issues. They struggle with depression, homosexuality and obesity to name a few and the audience aren’t always expecting that. The response from the audience can often be completely overwhelming.
I’m so fortunate to be part of this wonderful show with a superb cast of the nicest people. It’s been a joy. BUT Cardiff is the venue I’m waiting for! I can’t wait to cross the border and to perform at the magnificent Wales Millennium Centre. Even though I’m Welsh, I didn’t visit Cardiff until I was 18 but it holds so many memories for me. I played ‘Rhys’ in all four seasons of ‘Torchwood‘ and the show was set in Cardiff – it had its base beneath the famous water tower.
I have since worked in town quite a few times at the Sherman Theatre and the New Theatre and I’ve been fortunate to work at the new studios down at the bay also.
I have so many great friends in town so it will be an utter pleasure to perform this show in Wales. I might slip a bit of ‘Cymraeg’ in during the show!!
Look out Cardiff, we’re coming for you!
Kai was born and bred in Llanwrst North Wales and is a familiar face on Welsh television, appearing in Gwaith Cartref, Y Pris, Tipyn o Stad, Treflan and Pobol y Cwm all for S4C. His other TV credits include Rocketman (BBC), Fun At The Funeral Parlour (BBC), Casualty (BBC), Waterloo Road (BBC), Being Human (BBC), The Syndicate (BBC) and Doc Martin (ITV).
THE FULL MONTY is based on the 1997 smash-hit film of the same name, about six out-of-work Sheffield steelworkers with nothing to lose. Simon Beaufoy, the Oscar- and BAFTA-winning writer of the film, has adapted his own screenplay for this stage production, which features the iconic songs from the film by Donna Summer, Hot Chocolate and Tom Jones.
https://www.wmc.org.uk/Productions/2016-2017/DonaldGordonTheatre/TheFullMonty/