GIVEN that The Full Monty was realeased in 1997, and that this is not the only re-working of a 'classic' film doing the rounds at the moment, it was amazing to feel the anticipation in the Bristol Hippodrome last night for this 'new' reworking of the screenplay by its original writer, Simon Beaufoy.

The story, for those who are not familiar, is that of a group of men made unemployed in the aftermath of Maggie Thatcher's conservative policies in the 1980s. In desperation, they decide to form a dance troupe (like the Chippendales) and raise money as a strip act.

The timing of this production, in this recession-hit era, couldn't be more appropriate. These skilled workers are at their lowest ebb; jobless, worthless and impotent. And yet this play still had us all laughing throughout – what an achievement for all those involved.

Robert Jones' set is superb. Right from the first scene the audience know exactly where they are; the huge crane (Margaret – the Blue bitch!) is a constant presence looming high above the stage kept the action firmly anchored in the working class. With just a few subtle scenery alterations we are transported to working man’s club, job centre, conservative club, police station and back to working man’s club again.

And although music in only short blasts, it is absolutely integral to the play as a whole and entirely appropriate; the ‘Hot stuff’ scene at the Job Centre had the potential to be such a let down, and yet had me laughing harder than I did for the original film.

Great talent on stage does of course, make an enormous difference; the gifted casting of Kenny Doughty as Gary and Roger Morlidge as Dave, together with the supremely gifted youngster Travis Caddy, puts the show on just the right footing, before the rest of the all-star cast are introduced. All are brilliant, but special mention must also be made of Craig Gazey as Lomper, Simon Rouse as Gerald, Sidney Cole as Horse and Kieran O’Brien as Guy – their bravery must be applauded, but also must their ability to come together as a team and transport the audience right back to Sheffield at the end of the 1980s, seemingly without conscious effort at all OK, so they strip at the end – well, it wouldn’t be the Full Monty without, would it? – but the standing ovation was for a fantastic night of live entertainment that I would happily pay to watch over and over again. And that doesn’t happen very often.

The Full Monty is on at the Bristol Hippodrome until Saturday, March 9.