Dorset, Somerset &amp; Bristol


<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1500" height="1124" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/dorsetsomerset/wp-content/uploads/sites/8/2024/03/The-Full-Monty-Nicholas-Prasad-Bill-Ward-Danny-Hatchard-Neil-Hurst-Ben-Onwukwe-and-Jake-Quickenden-Photo-by-Ellie-Kurttz_Fotor.jpg" alt="jake quickenden The Full Monty" class="wp-image-94372" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/dorsetsomerset/wp-content/uploads/sites/8/2024/03/The-Full-Monty-Nicholas-Prasad-Bill-Ward-Danny-Hatchard-Neil-Hurst-Ben-Onwukwe-and-Jake-Quickenden-Photo-by-Ellie-Kurttz_Fotor.jpg 1500w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/dorsetsomerset/wp-content/uploads/sites/8/2024/03/The-Full-Monty-Nicholas-Prasad-Bill-Ward-Danny-Hatchard-Neil-Hurst-Ben-Onwukwe-and-Jake-Quickenden-Photo-by-Ellie-Kurttz_Fotor-800x599.jpg 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/dorsetsomerset/wp-content/uploads/sites/8/2024/03/The-Full-Monty-Nicholas-Prasad-Bill-Ward-Danny-Hatchard-Neil-Hurst-Ben-Onwukwe-and-Jake-Quickenden-Photo-by-Ellie-Kurttz_Fotor-1000x749.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/dorsetsomerset/wp-content/uploads/sites/8/2024/03/The-Full-Monty-Nicholas-Prasad-Bill-Ward-Danny-Hatchard-Neil-Hurst-Ben-Onwukwe-and-Jake-Quickenden-Photo-by-Ellie-Kurttz_Fotor-400x300.jpg 400w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/dorsetsomerset/wp-content/uploads/sites/8/2024/03/The-Full-Monty-Nicholas-Prasad-Bill-Ward-Danny-Hatchard-Neil-Hurst-Ben-Onwukwe-and-Jake-Quickenden-Photo-by-Ellie-Kurttz_Fotor-768x575.jpg 768w" sizes="(max-width: 1500px) 100vw, 1500px" /></figure>



<p>Getting everyone hot under the collar,&nbsp;<em>The Full Monty</em>&nbsp;is coming to the <a href="https://www.theatreroyal.org.uk/events/the-full-monty/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Theatre Royal Bath</a> from Tues 2 – Sat 6 April. It’s hard to believe it has been over 25 years since the iconic British comedy about a group of unemployed men who become unlikely male strippers hit our screens, but this sauciest of social commentaries is back in the spotlight.</p>



<p>As well as a brand new&nbsp;<em>Disney+</em>&nbsp;series of the film out now, the brand new production is on a country-wide tour bringing the story back to the masses. From booty-shaking classics such as&nbsp;<em>You Can Keep Your Hat On&nbsp;</em>Tom Jones to<em>&nbsp;You Sexy Thing&nbsp;</em>(Hot Chocolate), it’s not just the ultimate girls (and boys) night out, it’s also a rollercoaster of love, loss and self-acceptance.</p>



<p>The play’s promo promises there’s ‘a hot man for everyone’ in the cast (please don’t cancel me) and who am I to argue, the line-up looks pretty impressive, with Danny Hatchard (<em>Eastenders</em>,&nbsp;<em>Our Girl)</em>, Bill Ward (<em>Corrie</em>) and Ben Onwukwe among others, all whipping off their gear.</p>



<p>So when we heard that Jake Quickenden was playing Guy, we naturally had to pin him down (steady on). Here he shares what’s in store for audiences and why as a straight guy he’s eagerly taking on an LBGTQ+ role for the first time.</p>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1000" height="1499" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/dorsetsomerset/wp-content/uploads/sites/8/2024/03/jakequickenden-ezgif.com-webp-to-jpg-converter-1.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-94382" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/dorsetsomerset/wp-content/uploads/sites/8/2024/03/jakequickenden-ezgif.com-webp-to-jpg-converter-1.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/dorsetsomerset/wp-content/uploads/sites/8/2024/03/jakequickenden-ezgif.com-webp-to-jpg-converter-1-534x800.jpg 534w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/dorsetsomerset/wp-content/uploads/sites/8/2024/03/jakequickenden-ezgif.com-webp-to-jpg-converter-1-667x1000.jpg 667w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/dorsetsomerset/wp-content/uploads/sites/8/2024/03/jakequickenden-ezgif.com-webp-to-jpg-converter-1-267x400.jpg 267w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/dorsetsomerset/wp-content/uploads/sites/8/2024/03/jakequickenden-ezgif.com-webp-to-jpg-converter-1-768x1151.jpg 768w" sizes="(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px" /></figure>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-hello-jake-ok-let-s-cut-to-the-chase-it-s-nbsp-the-full-monty-how-have-you-been-prepping-for-whipping-your-kit-off-is-it-all-workouts-and-wheatgrass-smoothies-nbsp">Hello Jake, ok, let’s cut to the chase, it’s&nbsp;<em>The Full Monty</em>… how have you been prepping for whipping your kit off, is it all workouts and wheatgrass smoothies?&nbsp;</h2>



<p>To be honest with you I was on a mental training schedule last year anyway as I was taking part in a martial arts competition last November. So luckily the two pieces went together quite well and I am more than ready to remove my shirt! I run about 5K a day, train for several hours in the gym and have been eating very healthily. I’m not on a diet or anything, just making healthier choices.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading">What made you want to play the role, has it been nerve-wracking to take on such a legendary film?&nbsp;</h2>



<p>I think taking a film onto stage is always a little bit nerve wracking, but the producers and directors are so talented and the cast has so much incredible experience, that I’m just excited now to be honest. I will admit we’ve had some we laughs rehearsing it though, especially performing things like the Hot Chocolate main dance. I also love going on tour with a cast you end up seeing so many places and making so many memories.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading">Your character Guy is famously LGBTQ+ – it was quite the storyline back in 1997 – why did you want to take on the role?</h2>



<p>Hugo [Speers] did an amazing job of the role in the original, and yes, of course, there is always pressure to perform and be up on the job. I think, more than anything, we have to remember that this film was out in 1997, when gay roles didn’t tend to appear commonly on TV and in film, so yeah I think it was super ballsy of Hugo to take on that character and I am very proud to be playing someone who represents the LGBTQ+ community today – I’m not afraid of pushing boundaries so it actually feels like the best person for me to play naturally.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading">Has playing the role pushed you out of your comfort zone then?</h2>



<p>This is the first time I’ll be doing an LGBTQ+ role so that is definitely me pushing myself a little bit, but also, this is my first proper play – I was so chuffed to get this part and I’m going to make sure I do a great job.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading">Who was your favourite character from the original film?</h2>



<p>My favourite character would probably be the lead character Gaz, just because he pushes everyone to get involved and is kind of the cheerleader of the group, which is what I am like in real life.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-were-you-worried-how-the-male-stripper-theme-would-go-down-in-today-s-very-different-social-and-cultural-climate-nbsp">Were you worried how the male stripper theme would go down in today&#8217;s very different social and cultural climate?&nbsp;</h2>



<p>I really feel like all of the play’s themes – body image, self acceptance and the definition of masculinity – are as important and relevant today as they were in 1997. If anything, we are in a more open and relaxed climate these days than we were back then, so no, this isn’t something that worries me at all.</p>



<figure class="wp-block-image"><img decoding="async" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/glosworcs/wp-content/uploads/sites/13/2023/08/1-55.jpg" alt="men in the full monty" class="wp-image-50999" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Quickenden and co-stars Danny Hatchard and Bill Ward</figcaption></figure>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading"><em>The Full Monty</em>&nbsp;is famous for its comedy moments, share a behind the scenes blooper with us from rehearsals?</h2>



<p>There have been quite a few blooper moments, I’ve already had one over my cast mates more than once, I am a big kid at heart and love to hide and jump out and scare people.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-it-s-been-over-25-years-since-the-original-nbsp-full-monty-do-you-think-a-reboot-was-overdue">It’s been over 25 years since the original<em>&nbsp;Full Monty</em>, do you think a reboot was overdue?</h2>



<p>Everything seems to be being revisited at the moment from&nbsp;<em>The Little Mermaid</em>&nbsp;to Steps, but this is a cult classic film so it wins hands down.&nbsp;</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading">Serious question now… who’s the buffest by far out of the cast?&nbsp;</h2>



<p>I mean, I am obviously the buffest as I am the only one who was training for a competitive martial arts fight – so that’s not even me showing off, it’s just fact!</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading">You’re a dedicated ambassador for Sarcoma UK in your spare time. Why is the cause close to your heart?</h2>



<p>It’s well known that my little brother Oliver passed away when I was younger, and he was super young. He had sarcoma which is a common type of cancer in children, but not spoken about much. I work really closely with the charity and a lot of the people who lean on it and rely on it to help them cope during dark times – it’s close to my heart, obviously.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading">What’s next after&nbsp;<em>The Full Monty</em>? Reveal all.</h2>



<p>I’m actually currently doing a lot of presenting jobs for ITV daytime and absolutely loving it – all sorts of hilarious features and competitions bits for&nbsp;<em>Lorraine&nbsp;</em>and&nbsp;<em>Loose Women</em>, which is a right laugh.</p>



<h4 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-the-full-monty-is-nbsp-at-theatre-royal-bath-from-tues-2-sat-6-april"><em><a href="https://www.theatreroyal.org.uk/events/the-full-monty/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">The Full Monty</a> is&nbsp;at Theatre Royal Bath, from Tues 2 – Sat 6 April.</em></h4>


The naked truth: Muddy meets Jake Quickenden, star of The Full Monty

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