Taryn Raynes, Author at New Plymouth Little Theatre

Behind the scenes at The Full Monty

Morris West is one of the six leading men in the New Zealand community theatre premiere of The Full Monty. Every week he gives us a behind the scenes peep at The Full Monty rehearsals, the cheeky shenanigans, and the naked photo shoots. This is week seven of rehearsals, the tech team is moving in and the boys have been out and about in public giving interviews.

Well, the BIG ANNOUNCEMENT is out! Five more shows go on sale to the public on Wednesday, meaning that the run will end on my 65^th birthday. I hadn’t planned anything special, but special it will be.

Including today we have 6 weeks, or 42 days, or 17 official rehearsal nights…but no pressure.

Rehearsals continue well and all are working hard on their lines, accents and pitch…even ALAN ALAN ALAN!!

Nathan (lights) and Brian (sound)officially joined the team last night and look to real involvement from here on in and both have a significant input to the success of the show.

April has rejigged the choreography for the final number following a mix up over Cocker versus Jones…but apparently there was already enough cock-er in the show. My wife, Lynda, held the first waltz practice and this will be a regular Sunday feature leading up to the big day.

Four of the lads spent an hour with the More FM crew during their 12 hour fund-raising stint and it was a very popular time in their office. There is real excitement out there in the community. I have a feeling that come Wednesday evening that there may still be a number of disappointed people.

Backstage things have now been cleared so that we can fit everyone in as well as manage a number of quick changes.

Loving this show…loving the people.

P.S. Our leading man, Jimmy, had an outpatient visit to Hawera Hospital. Rumour has it that he injured himself nicking girders.

THE DETAILS: The Full Monty, a play by Simon Beaufoy and directed by John Lawson, is on at New Plymouth Little Theatre from July 14. Tickets to the extension go on sale on Wednesday June 2 at noon from iTicket.

Jazzing it up on stage at The Full Monty

Jazz Gallagher has fallen in love with the theatre, and at the theatre. Ahead of her appearance in The Full Monty we sat down with her to find out about those theatrical love affairs, why Alan Rickman floats her boat, and how she’s rising above anorexia.

Hey Jazz! You’re playing Michelle in The Full Monty. Why did you audition for the show?
I love being on stage and I go to every audition I can. But specifically for this show I wanted my fiance Jimmy to be on stage again as it’s where he really flourishes and it makes him so happy. I’m stoked that I get to share in that happiness and be on stage with him again.

What are three things people should know about you?
* I am the current 2nd Runner Up to the Miss Taranaki crown and I was the 2020 Miss Personality.
* I love to bake, and whilst my Jimmy swears it’s all good, I do have my doubts sometimes.
* One of my closest friends took my fiance’s pants off before I did as she was his dresser at Priscilla. This also happens to be the reason we met.

What’s your favorite thing about being involved with The Full Monty so far?
Not going to lie, watching Jimmy’s dance rehearsals! I never knew how natural dancing seems to be for him and unfortunately for him it means our first dance for the wedding will be choreographed to the nines. (However it will not include any of the stripper moves he may have learned)

Fierce. *CREDIT: MONIQUE MATTHEWS PHOTOGRAPHY*

If you were going to strip on stage, what would your signature song be, and why?
Killer Queen by Queen, it’s just an anthem and constantly on repeat in my playlist. It just has a vibe about it which I resonate with.

All time favourite movie, song, artwork, book or play?
Movie: Labyrinth
Song: Man In The Mirror by Michael Jackson
Book: Only Ever Yours by Louise O’Neil
Play: Heathers by Kevin Murphy and Laurence O’Keefe.

What’s something you’re really proud of?
A while back I was diagnosed with anorexia nervosa. I had spent my entire life being told that I would look better if I lost some weight. Once I did, everyone kept telling me how good I looked, how much better I looked, and that stuck with me. I was so determined to remain this fraction of myself that people were praising that I couldn’t see how sick I had gotten, even when my hair was falling out in fistfuls and I couldn’t sleep because my spine was so close to the surface.

So, what I’m most proud of is how I eventually managed to start trying to get my life back. Since the start of this year I have been in recovery, and at times it has meant crying on the bathroom floor at 1am because I’m so scared of gaining weight, but more importantly I’ve been able to actually be present in my life again. I am so proud of myself that I’ve given myself a future again and not followed down the path of a death sentence.

If you could have dinner with any three people from history, who would you pick and why?
Controversial, but Michael Jackson because I love his music and would love to pick his brain, due to the fact he is all I listened to from the ages of 7-14.

Alan Rickman because Hans Gruber was iconic and elevated the standard for movie villains to a whole new level.

And the third is tied for David Bowie and Freddie Mercury because I aspire to their level of “I don’t care what you’re talking about as long as you’re talking about me.” To be fair though, there is a chance I’m marrying Mercury’s reincarnation, as Jimmy was born almost exactly when he died. Just a fun little fact.

Why is theatre special for you?
I love being involved in theatre. I always thought my calling was being on the stage, but after being a dresser at Operatic Society’s production of Priscilla, I found I just love being in that environment. Being able to step into a place where nothing that’s happening outside matters and you focus on putting your whole self into a production. It’s my world.

Plus, I also met Jimmy through theatre, and he has been the only thing keeping me sane when I’m not involved in a show.

How does it feel to sell out a show so quickly?
Absolutely incredible. But also not surprising – it’s humourous and heartfelt and everything you could want from a production, plus it means I get to show off my fiancee to so many people. That being said, it has been great for Jimmy’s self esteem but hopefully it’s not going to give him an ego, or else he’s sleeping on the couch.

What are you most looking forward to, or most nervous about for The Full Monty?
Easy, my entire family being there opening night, to see Jimmy in ALL his glory! I imagine he will be avoiding eye contact with them all for a while.

Photos by Monique Matthews Photography, with interview by Taryn Raynes

THE DETAILS: The Full Monty is on at New Plymouth Little Theatre from July 14. An extended season goes on sale at noon on Wednesday June 2 at iTicket.

He’s on fire in The Full Monty

Brad Duynhoven is gearing up to get his gear off in The Full Monty. We caught up with him to find out about his fire dancing, his go-to stripping song, and who he’d invite to a special dinner.

Hey Brad! You’re playing one of the strippers, Dave, in The Full Monty. How are you feeling about getting your gear off in front of so many people?
Super self conscious, not sure how I’ll ever be able to do it. No, actually totally fine. I feel people’s bodies should be more accepted in general, I’m way more apprehensive being forced to do these marketing Q&As.

Why did you audition for The Full Monty?
The chance to flash hundreds of people every week and not get handcuffed sounded like too good of an opportunity to pass up.

Fire-dancer Brad Duynhoven working his magic with his dragonstaff. PHOTOS BY: KATIE FROMINGS

You have some pretty cool hobbies outside of theatre, can you tell us about those?
In my spare time I enjoy getting out to music over the summer. Over the last couple years I’ve coached a kids’ rugby team and I’ve been trying to get more involved in stage performing.

A more uncommon pass time I have is using a dragonstaff, which is a grippy staff with fire at either end that I spin and roll around my body. It’s safer than it sounds. I’ve never managed to seriously burn myself and it’s a total hit at parties. You may have seen me using an LED version around the Festival of Lights.

If you were a stripper in real life, what would your stage name be, and what would be your signature stripping song?
Well since I would need to be stripping to the classic strip club anthem Bad Girlfriend by Theory of a Deadman, so I would need to be in drag. So my name would be Zizi Sou-vage (thanks Pintrest).

Morris West, Regan Tate, Jimmy Bovaird, Brad Duynhoven, Howard Rozon and Tyler McGlone are the six leading men in the New Zealand amateur premiere of The Full Monty. CREDIT: MONIQUE MATTHEWS PHOTOGRAPHY

If you could have dinner and drinks with any three people from history, who would you pick, and what would you talk about?
Genghis Khan – How he manages all his “wives” and how he feels about 8 per cent of all Asian men and one in 200 people worldwide being his great (to the power of god knows) grandchildren.

King Edward VIII – What “special” skills Wallis Simpson truly had and was it really worth not being king.

My mum – I’d ask what she thought of The Full Monty.

Why should people come along to The Full Monty?
The chance to see a totally hilarious show supporting some talented local talent (and me *waves*)
It may even contain a few sneaky heartwarming moments in between the laughs, nudity and quality dancing.

Fire photos by Katie Fromings and interview with Taryn Raynes

THE DETAILS: The Full Monty, a play by Simon Beaufoy and directed by John Lawson, is on at New Plymouth Little Theatre from July 14. Tickets from www.iticket.co.nz.

The Full Monty: Behind the scenes with Morris

Morris West is one of the six leading men in the New Zealand community theatre premiere of The Full Monty. Every week he gives us a behind the scenes peep at The Full Monty rehearsals, the cheeky shenanigans, and the naked photo shoots. This is week six of rehearsals and the g-string are being fitted, the shirts are coming off, and the countdown to opening night is beginning.

WOW! We’re almost at the halfway point to the big opening night.

April’s amazing dance routines are all taking shape, with the most arresting routine having been put in place.

The boys have all been fitted out for their closing costumes, though I think it may even be a few weeks before the rest of the cast even sees them.

Jimmy Bovaird, Howard Rozon, Morris West, Regan Tate and Brad Duynhoven have all had their G-strings fitted for the New Zealand amateur premiere of The Full Monty. PHOTOS CREDIT: MONIQUE MATTHEWS PHOTOGRAPHY

Props continue to grow and it is amazing just how many props each cast member has.

Also challenging are the 20 odd scene changes that have to be managed with slick finesse, but are quickly becoming second nature for the on-stage, back-stage crew.

Monique Matthews and her right hand man Anthony were back for a second round of photos of the boys, including shots in someone’s garden. Certainly different visitors and photos than they would have had during the Garden Festival.

We’re now into Act 1 Monday, Act 2 Thursday and the whole shebang on Sunday, with sound and light to join us in about a week’s time.

The boys with the biggest parts, (script-wise, for those with dirty minds), are really getting their lines down and accents and pitch are going well.

So, while this week may have been about sexy pics, we all look forward to next week and a much awaited BIG ANNOUNCEMENT. Catch you all then.

THE DETAILS: The Full Monty, a play by Simon Beaufoy and directed by John Lawson, is on at New Plymouth Little Theatre from July 14. The season is currently sold out.

The Full Monty: Behind the scenes with Morris

Morris West is one of the six leading men in the New Zealand community theatre premiere of The Full Monty. Every week he gives us a behind the scenes peep at The Full Monty rehearsals, the cheeky shenanigans, and the naked photo shoots. This is week five of rehearsals, there’s been more photo shoots, and the cast are starting to break out in dance in public.

Well, we’re now well and truly into the “grind” zone of rehearsals.

“Accents, pitch, lines lines lines”, are John Lawson’s catch cries, but at least he allows input from those doing the delivery, he’s certainly not “died in the woods” (in joke, sorry).

The set continues to grow and evolve, and is definitely another cast member in this production.

Props and costumes continue to be added and the cast and backstage crew are quickly finding that we are not just acting, but also dressers and backstage crew as well.

April’s dance routines continue to grow fantastically, as well as tantalisingly for the ladies’ watching.

Cast members continue hearing Hot Stuff played wherever they go, and drop into bits of the routine. (So far no one arrested for removing clothes)

I am a bit disturbed at the number of people who know that we have do three press-ups in one routine, and more disturbed that they don’t think I’ll be capable of them. (Hey folks, it’s not the press-ups, it’s the getting down and up that’s the problem)

This week also saw Monique Matthews and her assistant, Antony, back in for some more women only and full cast shots. The blokes were a bit concerned, in these days of equality, that the ladies didn’t have at least a topless shoot.

Catch you next week, after we’ve had the sexy six single shots.

THE DETAILS: The Full Monty, a play by Simon Beaufoy and directed by John Lawson, is on at New Plymouth Little Theatre from July 14. The season is sold out.

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