The stage version of The Full Monty is even better than the smash-hit film - and the atmosphere inside the Congress Theatre for Monday's opening night was electric.

A predominantly female audience was supercharged with excitement, whooping, cheering and clapping when six tough Northern blokes finally stripped off.

Only Gary Lucy, as wide boy Gaz, has a six pack - some are as wobbly as a jelly - but no one cares as they strut their stuff in an hilarious full-on finale.

The South Yorkshire accents take time to get used to, and some of the references are dated 18 years on from when the film, about how six redundant steelworkers form a stripping act, hit our screens. But this adaption captures fully the poverty, desperation, pathos, emotions and wit created by Simon Beaufoy.

It's a real tear-jerker when young Nathan (Fraser Kelly) gives dad Gaz all the cash in his money box.

Gaz's eccentric mates are brilliantly played by Martin Miller, Andrew Dunn, Bobby Schofield, Louis Emerick and Rupert Hill, while Jack Ryder's excellent direction and designer Robert Jones' interchangeable scenery whisks us swiftly to different locations and dramas.

Fittingly, it ends with a standing ovation!

Four stars