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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.

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

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.

The Full Monty: Backstage with 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 gives us a behind the scenes peep at The Full Monty rehearsals, the cheeky shenanigans, and the naked photo shoots. This is week four of rehearsals and Morris talks about practicing for that final dance, the record-breaking ticket sell out, and his final costume.

Major progress for the week has to be the record sell-out of tickets for the three new shows.

The first of these, a Tuesday night, never even made it to the box office, and sold to three large groups. Girl’s Night Out sales opened at midday and by 12:04 had sold, and by 12:09 the Monty Matinee was also gone, A RECORD FOR SALES!! Despite these extra three shows, there are still many disappointed people, hoping it extends further…the show that is.

The magnificent set continues to grow. Gerald now has a shed door, but work continues on the rest as well. The great thing about John and his team having the set so far advanced is that it allows fine-tuning to perfect it.

Props and costuming is now into full speed. I am a bit concerned that the guys’ final outfits are being progressed at greater pace. I’m sure this is not in the hope that the boys will have to wear them, (a bit of a misnomer there), for all rehearsals.

Dance rehearsals are still stepping up and once again, the girls watching are needing no encouragement to video them.

It was a partial week for me, with a Mrs Brown gig in Wellington for Mother’s day, but I’m sure no one missed me.

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.

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.

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 16^th, 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.”

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!

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