Behind the scenes: Week three 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’s going to give us a behind the scenes peep at The Full Monty rehearsals, the cheeky shenanigans, and the naked photo shoots. This is week three of rehearsals and Morris has been enjoying some time at the spa, and with his gnomes.

This week I discovered the importance of actually reading messages and not just having a ‘man-look’.

Production manager Tash Paton sent out the info for the big photo shoot. This was sent midweek and when I read it I saw Sunday at 2pm and read no further.

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. PHOTOS CREDIT: MONIQUE MATTHEWS PHOTOGRAPHY

A spray tan was booked and carried out by Zen Day Spa, (who tried to find out if we are going “Full Monty”, and no I didn’t tell them)

I sent out the photo to a few who might like to know, only to be asked, “Great, but will that last until the 16th, when the photo shoot is scheduled?” Still it looked great for Marisa, the Emcee for the Toscars.

Congratulations to John “ALAN, ALAN” Lawson for his victories, ahead of stern opposition, (for stern read none), and to others in the cast who picked up awards. Also well done to Jor-El Shaman, Charlie Couchman and me for their entertainment items on the Toscars.

Morris and his gnome got a spray tan at Zen Day Spa. Just for fun.

As of mid-week, with that final, lone ticket selling, we officially became a bunch of sell-outs.

Gillian Gibbon, aka Linda Luv, discovered the danger of listening to advice from men, who told her, “You can throw that gnome, it’s solid resin and won’t break.” We have since discovered they are not solid and do indeed break, resulting in garden gnome Happy Pete becoming pirate Lucky Pete, or Not-so-lucky Pete, with one eye, a hook hand and a wooden leg.

Finally, I can settle an age-old myth: I have now been dark skinned for four days and my willy hasn’t got any longer.

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 to July 31. Thirteen shows have sold out, so we’ve added a Girls’ Night out and a Monty Matinee. Tickets go on sale on Wednesday May 5 at noon, at iticket.co.nz. They are $30.

Backstage at The Full Monty – Week two

Morris West is one of the six leading men in the New Zealand community theatre premiere of The Full Monty. Every week he’s going to give us a behind the scenes peep at The Full Monty rehearsals, the cheeky shenanigans, and the naked photo shoots. This is week two of rehearsals and already the men are practicing getting their gear off in front of a crowd of ladies.

Week two done and dusted and the ladies at rehearsals are impressed that we’ve already got round to undress rehearsals, some more than others, (undress that is, well both actually).

Despite our main marketing gal Taryn’s Facebook bans, we have still managed to sell out the original season. Extra nights, along with special nights, and a matinee, are already planned. Don’t worry Taryn, the peach will be released, we know your cheeky posts have got a bum deal, but we’ll get to the bottom of it, so don’t crack up.

This nice peachy bum keeps getting our marketing team banned from Facebook

Director John Lawson and his helpers continue to do amazing work on the set. I know I’ve never been involved in a show where set, marketing and ticket sales have been so far advanced.

April Krijger gave the boys their first taste of her amazing choreography and as the expert in two left feet and lack of timing, I absolutely loved it, so did the ladies watching.

The question I get asked the most is, “So, do you get your kit off?” My reply, “You’ll have to buy a ticket.” To which I now usually add, “If you can get one.”

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. ALL PHOTOS CREDIT: MONIQUE MATTHEWS PHOTOGRAPHY

The cast continue to get into their lines and accents, but I’ll sign off now as I still haven’t prepared my stuff for the Toscars.

NA NA NA NA, HEY HEY HEY, GET YOUR GEAR OFF!

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 to July 31. Thirteen shows have sold out, so we’ve added a Girls’ Night out and a Monty Matinee. Tickets go on sale on Wednesday May 5 at noon, at iticket.co.nz. They are $30.

Backstage with Full Monty man Morris West

Morris West is one of the six leading men in the New Zealand community theatre premiere of The Full Monty. Every week he’s going to give us a behind the scenes peep at The Full Monty rehearsals, the cheeky shenanigans, and the naked photo shoots. This is week one of rehearsals and things are just kicking off.

Having now discovered that The Full Monty has nothing to do with the Monty Python that I thought I was auditioning for, it’s great to have week one in the theatre done and dusted, and what a week it was.

Director John Lawson’s fantastic work on the set is looking awesome already and working really well.

Taryn Raynes is throwing herself wildly into promotion, but more of her fetishes next time, because by the time you read this the glossies of the boys will already be out there.

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. PHOTOS CREDIT: MONIQUE MATTHEWS PHOTOGRAPHY

Quite a few have used the time before we got into the theatre to get into their lines, so that’s great progress, keep it up. Unfortunately Alan, (ALAN!, ALAN!, ALAN!), only has his script down because he forgets to take it with him on stage.

So time for a few statistics.

At the time of writing there were 86 days till we open. That’s 2064 hours, or 123,840 minutes.

Between Terry Darby, as oldest, and Flynn Wilson, as youngest, there are more than 56 years, or 20,710 days.

For the strippers, Morris to Tyler McGlone is a mere 48 years, or 14,155 days.

My dialogue, in the script, comprises some 2600 words, or 20,000 when John is doing it.

It’s great to see so many supporting those on stage during rehearsals too.

Act 1 is now blocked, so it’s on to Act 2 this week.

Mighty Mo signing off.

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 to July 31. Early Bird tickets went on sale at noon on Wednesday April 21 at iticket.co.nz. They are $25 with the code “TAKEITOFF”

The men behind The Full Monty revealed

Stripping on stage and dancing around naked is about to be all in a night’s work for New Plymouth engineer Jimmy Bovaird. 

The 29-year-old has landed the lead role in the New Zealand community theatre premiere of the hit play The Full Monty, which opens at Little Theatre in July. 

“It’s a bit nerve wracking but I’m really excited to be a part of this,” Bovaird says. 

“When I auditioned I didn’t think I’d get the lead role and have to get down to nothing, but I’m actually really looking forward to the stripping. That’s going to be the fun part.”

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

Bovaird, who has previously starred in The Rocky Horror Picture Show and Priscilla Queen of the Desert is playing Gaz, an unemployed steelworker from Sheffield. 

His fiancé Jazz Gallagher suggested he audition for the award-winning show, which is based on the 1997 blockbuster movie. 

Gallagher, who has also landed a role in The Full Monty, says she’s not worried about other women ogling her man. 

“I’m really just showing off my fiancé,” she says, laughing. 

“He’s already put a ring on it.” 

Jazz Gallagher suggested her fiancé Jimmy Bovaird audition for the New Zealand amateur premiere of the award-winning show, The Full Monty. CREDIT: MONIQUE MATTHEWS PHOTOGRAPHY

The famous story follows six ordinary blokes as they have a crack at getting their gear off on stage. The six mates bare their bodies, and sometimes their hearts as they set out to make some cash and repair relationships.

Just like in the movie, Bovaird’s stripping troupe is made up of four younger blokes and two older men. 

Taranaki’s young eye candy has been found in 26-year-old Regan Tate, 25-year-old Tyler McGlone and 32-year-old Brad Duynhoven. 

Rounding out the six strippers are seasoned entertainers Morris West and Howard Rozon. 

Rozon is the former president of Operatic Society and was hunted out by Little Theatre to play the greatest dancer of the troupe, Horse. 

“I jumped at the opportunity before I realised what I was actually in for,” Rozon says, laughing. 

“I was hoping for maybe a small part, not actually showing my small parts.” 

West, who has been in more than 80 plays across three different countries, is raring to go and even wore his favourite g-string to the first rehearsal. 

“I wanted to give everyone a laugh and stir them up,” he says. 

“That’s the great thing about theatre, you get to be someone else. And the adrenaline kick is pretty good too.”

Director John Lawson says he’s thrilled with the cast of 24 and his team is already hard at work. 

“I was really impressed with the level of talent at auditions. We’ve got a great blend of seasoned actors, up and comers and there’s also a couple of newbies as well. 

“It’s going to be a cracker of a show.”    

As well as the above actors, the cast for The Full Monty includes Flynn Wilson, Emma Glučina, Chris Morrison, Charlie Couchman, Holly Winter, Gillian Gibbon, Alex Sheehan, Tash Paton, Terry Darby, Harsh Negi, Karen Janes, Katherine Wolfe, Jor-El Shaman, Pete Jennings, and Shona Edwards. 

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 to July 31. Early Bird tickets go on sale at noon on Wednesday April 21 from iticket.co.nz. They are $25 with the code “TAKEITOFF”

Words by Taryn Raynes and photography by Monique Matthews Photography

Throw your hat in the ring for The Full Monty auditions

A Taranaki director is on the hunt for six ordinary blokes who are willing to get their gear off in the name of art and entertainment. 

After years of trying, theatre director John Lawson has secured the rights for the amateur New Zealand premiere of the award-winning show The Full Monty

Now he just needs to find the men who are keen to strip night after night to Tom Jones’ version of the iconic hit, You Can Leave Your Hat On.

Based on the smash hit film and adapted for the stage by Oscar-winning writer Simon Beaufoy, The Full Monty will open at New Plymouth Little Theatre in July. 

Like the 1997 film, the stage show follows six unemployed steelworkers from Sheffield who form a male striptease group in the hope of making some cash and rebuilding relationships. 

Lawson says he’s not looking for a troupe of chippendales or buff bodybuilders to play those six characters. 

“These six men are normal, working blokes from a rather poor area. They’re ordinary guys, they could be anyone you know. We’ve just got to find them,” Lawson says. 

In fact, Lawson says he is looking for the biggest cast Little Theatre has had in decades – 28 people. 

“There’s only six people stripping, so not all 28 will be getting their gear off. We need 20 men and eight women, and some of the roles are non-speaking roles, so there really is something for everyone, even the people new to theatre.”

The multi-award winning Fox Searchlight Pictures film took the world by storm, breaking box office records and netting more than $250 million. 

Lawson, who grew up in the UK and moved to New Zealand in 1979, remembers watching the film when it first came out. 

It’s always been one of my favourite movies. It’s got a great storyline, and I really enjoy that British sense of humour.

“I’ve pretty much wanted to do The Full Monty as a theatre show since the movie came out, and I looked into it about six or seven years ago. The amateur rights weren’t available yet, but they are now, and we’ve got them, and it’s going to be a lot of fun.”

Lawson says as well as being a rip-roaring comedy, the story touches on more serious issues – like unemployment, depression, and the rights of fathers. 

“It’s not just a strip show. It’s a play based on a tough time in history, a time when unemployment was high and crime was high. So, yes it’s a play that centres around a strip show, but it’s more than that too. I hope everyone will come and see this.”

The Full Monty is on at New Plymouth Little Theatre from July 14 to July 31. Open auditions for all 28 roles will be held on Saturday March 13, 1pm, at Te Piere on the WITT Campus. For more information or for a copy of the script, please contact production manager Tasha Paton on tashapaton@gmail.com

Words and photo by Taryn Raynes

Photo caption: Theatre director John Lawson is looking for six men who are willing to leave their hats, and only their hats on for The Full Monty.

Privacy Settings
We use cookies to enhance your experience while using our website. If you are using our Services via a browser you can restrict, block or remove cookies through your web browser settings. We also use content and scripts from third parties that may use tracking technologies. You can selectively provide your consent below to allow such third party embeds. For complete information about the cookies we use, data we collect and how we process them, please check our Privacy Policy
Youtube
Consent to display content from - Youtube
Vimeo
Consent to display content from - Vimeo
Google Maps
Consent to display content from - Google