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On The Table Read Magazine, “the best entertainment magazine in the UK“, get ready to see a new side of Stafford! Locals are baring all for charity as “The Real Full Monty Stafford” returns to the Gatehouse Theatre for a cheeky three-show run this May.
This month, a Full Monty event is returning to The Gatehouse Theatre to raise money for charity. First established by show organiser and radio broadcaster, Rich Tomkinson, the event was inspired by the ITV broadcast “The Real Full Monty”, raising awareness for breast and testicular cancer. Rich took this idea and ran with it, wanting to create a local event in the vein of Children In Need or Comic Relief.
Rich’s 2019 event proved to be a massive success, raising over £32,000 for local charities. The show, featuring a cast of Stafford locals – many of them cancer survivors themselves – completely sold out the local theatre twice!
In 2018, Rich teamed up with his longtime friend and broadcast journalist, Ian Beddow. Together, they documented the creation of the event, capturing the powerful stories of the Stafford residents who made the show a triumph. Their feature-length documentary, “Out of Their Comfort Zone: The Real Full Monty,” premiered at the Gatehouse Theatre in 2019.
Due to the pandemic and subsequent lockdown, the show took a hiatus, but now, The Real Full Monty Stafford is back and bigger than ever. You’ll experience a whole night of entertainment with local acts and people in aid of three Stafford charities: Childhood Cancer Parents Alliance, A Child of Mine and the Stafford branch of the Samaritans.
Acts performing on the night include students of musical theatre at the Birmingham Ormiston Academy, Stafford vocal duo, Gun Sunday, comedienne, Our Trace and classical singer, Charlotte McWilliam, all culminating in a ladies and gents Full Monty routine.
We were overwhelmed by the love, support and money raised in 2019, and were so disappointed we couldn’t go ahead with the show in 2020.
We believe this year, our show will be bigger and better, hopefully raising some much-needed funds for our three chosen local charities.
-show organiser, Rich Tomkinson
Creating a show like this takes a lot of hard work and dedication. None of our Full Monty dancers are professionals, and some have never even set foot on a stage before. These are genuine, local people who are determined to go beyond their comfort zones for a greater cause and we take our hats off to them – no pun intended!
-Ian Beddow
The event will be sponsored by loft-boarding company, Instaloft, whom Rich has worked with for 4 years as a surveyor. This will be the business’ first year as the main event sponsor, having donated £2.5K towards the event, as well as donating a loft-boarding voucher as a raffle prize to the value of £1500.
We’re thrilled to show our support for this incredible event. The charities that the proceeds go to are truly inspirational, and touch the lives of many in and around Stafford.
-Marketing Manager of Instaloft, Poppy Mackay
Renowned as the “jewel in the crown” of Staffordshire’s county town, the Gatehouse offers a captivating experience for theatregoers and art enthusiasts alike.
Established in 1991, it has become a cornerstone of Stafford’s cultural scene. The theatre is particularly celebrated for its annual production of Shakespeare’s plays, attracting audiences from across the UK and even beyond. Held within the dramatic backdrop of Stafford Castle, these open-air performances offer a unique and unforgettable theatrical experience.
Beyond Shakespeare, the Gatehouse’s program is a vibrant tapestry of offerings. From touring productions of popular plays and musicals to critically acclaimed in-house productions, the theatre caters to a wide range of tastes. It also provides a platform for local talent, nurturing young actors and playwrights through its dedicated youth theatre company.
The Real Full Monty (Stafford) will be at the Gatehouse Theatre on May 23rd, 24th and 25th 2024.
Tickets are available now from:
For more information about the show, search “The Real Full Monty – Stafford” on Facebook, or visit:
To make a donation, please visit:
https://www.justgiving.com/crowdfunding/RealFullMontyStafford
For more information about the charities:
https://www.samaritans.org/branches/stafford
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