When I told my partner we were going on a date to the theatre for Valentine's Day, he immediately asked where.

I gave him a clue..."They get their kit off." He was still unsure and I had to spell it out to him... "The Full Monty," I said.

"No way," he replied. "It will be full of cackling women. I'll be the only guy there."

"Don't be silly, it's a comedy about men and their struggles with life and you never really see any rude bits.

"Well not until the end and then don't really see their appendages, it's all an illusion.

"It will be a laugh," I reassured him.

And how right I was. We went along to the Orchard Theatre in Dartford last night (Monday) and had a thoroughly wonderful time.

There were so many laughs and even a few tears as we went on the roller coaster journey with the Sheffield steel workers as they tried to make a few quid, overcome their struggles, despair and unemployment.

From the moment the show opened it was like watching the film being recorded live right in front of you.

The cast worked so well together, led by Gary Lucy who plays Gaz, they had the sell out audience laughing constantly.

The jokes, witty exchanges, innuendos and the chemistry between the actors is exactly like it was in the 1997 film.

Andrew Dunn as Gerald, Louis Emerick as Horse had been cast to perfection, absolutely spot on and Christ Fountain aka Guy, proved his worth during the stripper audition process.

The women's scenes were also a scream. The lady using the gents' urinal in the working men's club, was even featured in the performance, and raised many, many laughs and probably a few eyebrows.

'No wonder it won an award for the best touring show, it is just fantastic'

No wonder it won an award for the best touring show, it is just fantastic.

The second half of the show was just amazing, truly a laugh a minute and even though there is heartache for Gaz and his son, we all know the sturdy steel gang persist with their quest and win everybody over in the end.

The final scenes are just as they are in the original movie, leave you in such suspense, trying to catch a glimpse of something you shouldn't.

The show has been directed, written and produced with such dedication to the movie, theatre goers should really not miss out.

The Full Monty is on at the Orchard until Saturday, February 18, performances are at 2.30pm and 7.30pm.

To book your tickets, visit https://orchardtheatre.co.uk or call the Ticket Office on 01322 220000.