Well folks, with "Oliver!" and "The Complete History of Britain ... Almost!" out of the way and the new year just around the corner, stand clear for the launch of "Titanic".

We've got more auditions this week and at the beginning of the January 2008, we will hopefully have a full cast ready for a fantastic show in April 2008.

Woo hoo!

POST MONTY

I'm not sure where to start. Its all over. Months of rehearsals and hard work from everyone culminated in what felt like the shortest few days ever.

I feel quite emotional about it all actually. I knew I might feel a bit down after the natural high of a successful show with everyone, but certainly not to this extreme. Its back to the good ol 9-5.

For the past few weeks I have been going over the Monty script in my head, in chronological order, in an effort to drift off to sleep. I can't do that anymore. because there seems no point to it. The end goal to that task has disappeared.

It constantly amazes me how many people are happy to give up such large amounts of their social and family lives to help make a successful show. By the Thursday night it became clear that everyone on stage, back stage and even some pit members had been living and breathing Monty for weeks. And all concerned seem genuinely happy to be doing the job they had to do. When I think about it I am really proud to part of something like that, If one person hadn't done their specific job, it would have affected the whole show, and everyone involved.

I feel I've got to say how well Rich did. The transformation as he went through his baptism of fire was a real pleasure to watch. I hope this has proved what he is capable of both on and off stage. I also hope his experience has shown him that he can be accepted for himself, and not feel he has to hide who he is from a new set of friends.

Little Chris Fletcher also did a fantastic job as Nath. He seemed to know everyones lines in the run up to the show and was happy to quietly prompt us on stage (well, me actually!) His accent was spot on and I hope his friends and peers weren't too cruel to him about appearing on stage. I'm sure his time in the Monty has shown him that you don't have to be a screaming queen in a dress to appear on stage and enjoy yourself. Its only a shame that he didn't get to experience a proper backstage experience. After months in the rehearsal rooms with us all, he was whisked away once were in the theatre thanks to some great new labour militant childcare law. It seems crazy that he is allowed to be with us all throughout rehearsals, full of swearing and nudity - and then has to miss out all the banter and fun of backstage in the theatre. I understand the reasoning behind it, but its a real shame he then feels ostracised. One of the main reasons we all give up hours of spare time and social lives in doing any show is to forge new friendships and share all the good and bad times as a team.

I know some people were very wary of the casting for the show - (I must say I was amazed I got Jerry when you consider the singing talents of Adrian or Richard). However, I think in the end the whole cast were spot on. On a recent paramedic shift we went to a old dear who had broken her hip. She recognised me and said how impressed she was with the casting of the show. She commented on how everyone made the effort to characterize themselves, and mentioned Ben, Chris, Craig and Gary as individuals who obviously put a lot of time into their characters traits and actions. (Craig watching hours of Deputy Dawg for vocal coaching)

Although ignored by the press, and perhaps overlooked slightly by the Monty finale - the girls were fantastic. Sarah, Laura, Jax and Jude in particular were very supportive of all the guys as we ventured ever nearer to the great unveilling. (Which if we're honest we were all nervous about!) When is Laura going to go and do smothing with that fantastic voice of hers?

Anyway, I've probably missed off an enourmous amount of things - but a big thanks to all who helped make it such a memorable experience.

I needed to write all of this to get if of my chest. I appreciate that people won't really be looking at the blog now - but perhaps the mere fact of writing this has made things feel better.

Role on next year - when hopefully we might do it all again

B x

Traffic Chaos on Bromyard Rd in Worcester as the guys do the Half-Monty for a photo at Startin Honda!!!

Reply to Problems with the Trousers

In my defence ... it was the very first time we'd tried!!! And I notice Mr Leeke hasn't posted the video from later in the rehearsal when he was having a go at striping and too many clothes were coming off at once!! I bet we won't see site of that on the blog Benjamin!!!

Problem with the trousers!

Possibly the funniest moment of rehearsals happened last night. Watch the vid to see it. We may try and keep it in the show. My sides still hurt now from laughing so much!

BEN LEEKE CRUSHED BY PIANO

Intrepid photographer Mike Staiger catches the moment before impact

Ben Leeke, long time WODS member and beloved of some less well-known parts of Gloucestershire was badly injured last Wednesday when he was struck by a grand piano. He was rehearsing for WODS latest production, The Full Monty, when the piano, a Steinway concert grand, caught him just above the right temple. Fellow cast members immediately rushed to his aid. Fortunately his training as part of Upton's fire service enabled him to resuscitate himself within minutes causing only a minor delay to proceedings.

However, questions are now being asked at WODS highest levels. Spokesman Bruce Wyatt said "We are investigating the incident. Our rehearsal pianists, Mike Elden & Brian Giles, have categorically stated that they have never seen this piano before in their lives. We can only conclude an unknown third party with connections in the piano underworld must be to blame. We are pursuing other lines of enquiry"

Whoever is behind this heinous act, WODS rehearsals for The Full Monty are sure to be more tense affairs from now on with the message being, "The hole in the roof really is a bit big now".

PAPARAZZI WAIT OUTSIDE BARBERS FOR CHRIS

With his new found fame, Chris Holloway has spawned a nation of dedicated fans, hell bent on spotting him when he's buying his microwaveable food or going for a short back and sides.

Along with fame comes the army of paps, in their branded clothes all waiting for that killer shot to pacify the hunger of Chris' dedicated fans.

I also have recently found myself hiding outside chris house waiting to see him through a high powered lens, only its attached to a high calibre Barrat M82 .50 sniper rifle.

More fame and humiliation!!!

Hi guys!

Went to the barbers to get my hair cut this morning. After sitting in the chair quite contently for about 20 minutes, one of the other barbers said : "Hey, Terry, don't cut too much off him else he'll be cold when he takes his clothes off!"

At this point everyone there burst out laughing and cheering around me! They all thought we are all very brave and wished us all luck for the show though ... they tried to get tickets when they saw the calendar apparently but were told they were sold out!

Only 5 weeks to go now!

Looking Good Guys!

Just over 5 weeks to my holiday in Mauritius! Oops, sorry guys I won't be able to see the show. :-<>
I'm sure that by the end of the week you're all going to feel very liberated. I'd love to be a fly on the wall for the first night strip! Hey, you'll do fine.
I'm so glad that Rich has settled in ok and seems to be doing well - go for it Rich! Everyone from work will think you're brilliant!
Well keep up the good work guys. I'll be down to rehearsals soon to take some more pictures.
JJ ;->

New Costumes Found

We're into the last 5 weeks of rehearsals - and now we're rehearsing whole acts things are coming together well.
I'm glad I havent reached the public familiarity and fame of Mr Holloway, and I can still enter high street shops without getting mobbed!

Now the calenders have gone out, a few cheeky friends have put them up in places I'd rather not see them, but Hey Ho - at least no strangers are asking me questions or laughing in my face when I try to buy some carrots.

Full credit must go to Chris Hoops for his fantastic publicity photographs - we had no idea he was so dedicated to the part, and he has crafted his body into something worthy of Adonis, or Wolf from Gladiators. Its just a shame he leaves it locked in a cupboard at home and doesn't bring it to rehearsals. His wife, Judy, has spent hours searching for it.

Thank God the rest of the strippers are playing ordinairy guys, hereby giving us great excuses for not going to the gym or sunbed shop.

Sunday rehearsals went well. It was Ben L's birthday and once everyone had turned up we had a nice bit of cake to aid our stripper bodies. We also tried out the velcro boxer shorts - to great effect. At least they don't rip out personal hairs like the industrial strength velcro on the rehearsal trousers does!

Off to re again tonight - see you soon. x

EVERYONE KNOWS!!!

Well, our naked bodies are now plastered all over Worcester as "The Full Monty" calendar has gone out in every copy of the Berrow's Worcester Journal this weekend and we also have a half page article in the Worcester News tonight too (Friday)!!!

I just popped over to the Tesco Express near me and, on walking down the pavement, noticed people looking at me. I decided to look to the floor and walk quicker. It got a bit more difficult when I got in to Tesco Express as I couldn't look at the floor anymore for fear of walking in to shelves and people, yet still I found people looking at me and smiling! When I got to the checkout, the girls started giggling and smiling. I paid and made a hasty exit!

Oh well, I suppose this day had to come some time! Time to walk tall and embrace our fate I s'pose! Article below :

"Full Monty swings into Swan Theatre"
By Lauren
Murray
REHEARSALS for The Full Monty are in full swing for Worcester
Operatic and Dramatic Society. WODS are preparing for the musical adaptation
of the popular film, which will be staged at Worcester's Swan Theatre in
April. However if you can't wait that long keep an eye out for The Full Monty
Calendar which is being distributed with the Berrow's Worcester Journal this
month.

The calendar is one way that WODS is raising money for testicular cancer and it, along with the show itself, is being sponsored by Startin Honda. John Bentley, dealer principal for the garage in Bromyard Road, Worcester, said: "It's a great way for Startin to support a local society and we are going to be sign-writing one of our cars to advertise The Full Monty and help WODS raise money for such a worthy charity."

The Full Monty follows six unemployed mill workers who set about making their fortune by putting on a memorable show for the ladies. Steve Cook, marketing officer for WODS, said that he could not believe how quickly tickets have been selling. "Apparently, Worcester has been waiting for The Full Monty," he said.
"We're aiming to give audiences a show that they'll never forget."

The show runs from Tuesday, April 24, to Saturday, April 28.
Tickets are available from the Worcester Live Box Office on 01905 611427.

Latest Dance Video & pics

Check out the lastest dance vidoe from Wednesday nights' rehearsal. Big difference! Great to see Rich getting stuck into being the Big Black Man!

We've got a rehearsal this Sunday afternnon, and are being joined by the local BBC radio team. (we hope!)

We'll stick some pics and videos up here afterwards.

Keep posting stuff guys!

Chris (aka Malcolm)

Hi folks! I joined WODS just over 2 years ago and I've taken on interesting roles before but The Full Monty is definitely going to be one to remember!

We've already been bribing our Lighting guy to make sure the blackout comes at the right time at the end of the show! Ben's right, this is going to be a memorable show and one we'll never forget, and one that we will form a close knit team through rehearsing. Not too close though!

No really though, besides the actual strip at the end, this is such a funny and entertaining show. Hate to say it though guys, but there's only 6 weeks to go now!!!

GET YOUR TICKETS

Ben Wilson aka Jerry - 26

Hi. Ben L got me into WODS when I moved back to Worcester from London and I love the challenge and social aspect of doing a show with Wods. Like the other guys, I was worried about the Full Monty. Its a chance to do a very memorable show, but we all have to take all our kit off. I couldn't believe I'd got the part of Jerry after my terrible audition - but I did and I think Ben L and I will play off against each other well on stage as we're good mates off stage. Fair play to the rest of the stripping guys as well. as some of them have very public jobs! I'm looking forward to being a close knit team and going through the Full Monty together.

As rehearsals progress and opening night looms. I'll stick posts up about how I'm feeling etc.

Tonights its measuring for our g strings - seriously!

Ben Leeke aka Dave

35 yr old Ben Leeke is playing lead part of Dave and is a seasoned pro with WODS, taking many lead roles over the past few years. He runs his own event company, is a retained firefighter and is looking forward to wrapping him self in cling film naked on stage whilst eating crisps and chocolate.

Strippers

Just to let you all know i am a pro stripper and i go by the name KENO i am available for hen nights and birthdays.

(Chris is playing a real stripper on stage, as the man who all the men try to copy in order to make money. Chris' character is gay - so Chris was the obvious choice for this role - with his rock hard body and cheeky charms - the boys aren't safe are they mate?!)

The Full Monty about the Full Monty

Check out one of our first dance rehearsals (minus Ben Wilson/Jerry)
Choreographer Rachel is putting the boys through their paces and out of their clothes!