The Full Monty is very different from the likes of Magic Mike and the Chippendales with a lot for men to gain by watching it, says one of its stars.
The Full Monty has arrived at Norwich Theatre Royal on its UK tour and it stars Danny Hatchard as Gaz (EastEnders, Our Girl, Ridley Road), Jake Quickenden as Guy (The X Factor, Dancing on Ice) and Bill Ward as Gerald (Coronation Street, Emmerdale).
They are joined by Neil Hurst as Dave, Ben Onwukwe as Horse and Nicholas Prasad as Lomper.
The hit play is based on the 1997 comedy film of the same name, with both written by Simon Beaufoy, and it is set in Sheffield in the 1990s.
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It tells the story of six unemployed men, including former steel workers, who form a striptease act to make some money.
All are struggling with their mental health and the play touches on subjects including homosexuality, body image, suicide and father's rights.
Hatchard said: "The Full Monty is famous for the strip at the end, but this is not like Magic Mike where loads of men come on stage and look amazing.
"At The Full Monty, the audience forms a bond with the characters and by the end, they are cheering them on rather than objectifying them.
"I want to encourage men to watch the show too as it tackles men's mental health and they will be able to relate to the characters the most."
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Hatchard is best known for starring as Lee Carter in the BBC soap EastEnders, whose major storyline was his struggle with depression.
Addressing whether he would return, he added: "Spreading important messages is the reason why I became an actor - I would only go back to EastEnders if I thought I could add value.
"The character of Lee was very important and a lot of people benefited from it."
The Full Monty is at Norwich Theatre Royal until October 28.
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