IN HIS first work for the stage, The Full Monty’s Oscar-winning writer, Simon Beaufoy, has adapted his film script for a theatrical version bound for the West End.

The 1997 story of six out-of-work Sheffield steelworkers, who had nothing left to lose but their clothes, took $256 million worldwide, becoming one of the most successful British films ever. Beaufoy has since written scripts for such films as 127 Hours, Salmon Fishing In Yemen and Slumdog Millionaire. Now he has returned to The Full Monty for a stage production directed by Sheffield Theatre’s artistic director, Daniel Evans, and featuring the songs from the film by Donna Summer, Hot Chocolate and Tom Jones.

Premiered in Sheffield, the show will run at the Leeds Grand Theatre for two weeks from Monday ahead of its London debut.

In the cast will be Kenny Doughty, (Sean in Sky TV’s Stella) as Gaz; Craig Gazey (Graeme Proctor in Coronation Street) as Lumper; and Simon Rouse (DCI Jack Meadows in The Bill) as Gerald.

Kieran O’Brien (Matt in Michael Winterbottom’s infamously sexually candid film Nine Songs) will play Guy; Roger Morlidge (The English Patient, Shakespeare In Love) is Dave; and Sidney Cole (Absolutely Fabulous) is Horse. Eamonn Fleming, who often has performed at York Theatre Royal, will be in the show too.

The set design is by Robert Jones, whose stage credits include Calendar Girls; Much Ado About Nothing starring Catherine Tate and David Tennant; and Hamlet for the RSC.

“We’re really looking forward to The Full Monty coming to the Leeds Grand,” says general manager Ian Sime. “The play has been a success in every city on the tour and we’re pleased to welcome it to West Yorkshire.”

• The Full Monty will be in Leeds from May 6 to 18. Tickets can be booked on 0844 848 2700 or online at leedsgrandtheatre.com