Nudity may or may not be on display during this year's Alexandra Musical Society offering - it all depends on "the technical bits".
The society has stepped well outside its comfort zone, bypassing its traditional choice of family shows to stage a raunchy musical, The Full Monty.
The production is based on the 1997 hit movie of the same name and follows a similar storyline, with unemployed steel workers deciding to raise money by staging their own strip show.
It opens on September 24 and society president Hugh McIntyre admits the show will reveal a different side of the six main characters.
"It's not really about six middle-aged men running around naked on stage. If we get the technical bits right, there probably won't be any nudity. There will, however, be a number of scantily clad men displaying bodies that range from pretty hot to downright average," he said.
The six leads - Tim Cadogan, Mark Templeton, Barry Gibbons, Kieron Ingram and Jackson Smith, of Alexandra, and Kelly Keenan, of Cromwell - have been working out in the gym, adding some "definition", the show director, Bryan Aitken, of Christchurch, said.
"The Full Monty is a very daring choice by the society and I congratulate them. It's a step up and a step out to do something entirely for an adult audience, and they've embraced it so well."
The musical was a witty, wistful, bittersweet comedy, quite outrageous in parts, he said.
"I'd describe the songs as vibrant - semi-funk rock, which is why it speaks to the younger generation so well."
"Rogers and Hammerstein, it ain't."
The 19-strong cast was chosen in June and features several strong female characters as well, played by Bronwyn Barnes, Debbie Vercoe and Alice Stewart.
Performances will be held on six days, with the final one on Friday, September 30. The show forms part of the Alexandra Blossom Festival.
Mr Aitken has been staging workshops on singing, lighting and sound while based in Alexandra and has also been working with years 12 and 13 pupils studying drama at Dunstan High School.
