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 65th 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.