In 1997, the British film The Full Monty took the world by storm, with its uplifting tale of six out of work Sheffield steelworkers with nothing to lose.

It became one of the most successful British films ever – it was the highest-grossing film in the UK until Titanic – and was nominated for four Academy Awards, winning Best Original Music Score.

Now Simon Beaufoy has adapted his own screenplay for the stage production, with former EastEnders actor Jack Ryder directing, with Anthony Lewis, Andrew Dunn, Louis Emerick, Chris Fountain and Kai Owen. Here director Jack talks about taking his audience on a journey with six steelworkers...

What do you think makes the tale of Sheffield steel workers who form a strip troupe such an enduring story?

It’s the writing. Simon Beaufoy (who also wrote the film) really gets that balance between comedy and heartfelt truth. You have drama and big moments and then on the next page you find hilarious comedy. He is so clever at that light and shade.

People will remember you as Jamie Mitchell in EastEnders back in 2002 – had you always wanted to act?

I never trained as an actor so everything I know I have learnt hands-on. EastEnders came about by accident when I was 16. I went to a workshop with a mate who wanted to audition and I got spotted. I’d never even done a school play before then.

So you didn’t have a burning desire to be an actor?

Even when I watched movies as a kid I always noticed the scene itself rather than the actors. As a director I do go very much into the detail of things because then something magical starts to take place. I was late coming to theatre – being a 90s kid I grew up watching movies on cable telly. My dad occasionally took me to the opera, but I found it quite boring and so I’d play with my toy cars instead!

How did you get into directing from EastEnders?

Directing was something that was always whispering to me. As Spielberg once said, the things you choose to do in life don’t usually come in loud shouts or chants; they come in whispers and you need to listen hard for them. I think directing had been whispering to me for a while but it took me time to hear. I was hired to act in the stage production of Calendar Girls, but was hired as assistant director on the next tour.

What sort of director are you?

My hand is extremely tight on the reins when it comes to the cast staying in character, and forgetting the audience completely. But I have cast some amazing actors and so as a director I don’t have to get too mechanical; the boys bring an authenticity to the rehearsal room that is a breath of fresh air.

You’ve now directed Calendar Girls and The Full Monty – is there a theme forming here?

If anyone hears about a play that has nudity in it they ask if Jack Ryder is directing! But actually I was involved in The Full Monty on stage at the very start of its development, which is why I feel especially protective and proud of it.

So what about THAT final scene?

You can take off all the clothes in the world but if the audience hasn’t been on the journey and believed every moment then it won’t amount to a thing – you’ll never get that incredible reaction. At that final dance they don’t just think “Yay! We’re at a strip show!” The audience has followed these characters and they’re watching Lomper, Gaz, Dave and the boys. They’re with them and they believe them.

DETAILS

The Full Monty will be at the Orchard Theatre, Dartford, Monday, February 13 to Saturday, February 18. For tickets from £20.50, visit orchardtheatre.co.uk or call 01322 220000.

The show then heads to the Marlowe Theatre, Canterbury, from Monday, February 20, to Saturday, February 25. For tickets from £20.50, visit marlowetheatre.com or call 0122 7787787.