Mike Hind's main reason for auditioning was the music. The rest, he says, was "sheer, unadulterated insanity". Having landed the lead role of Jerry Lukowski, which requires him to strip, he dismisses this aspect of the show as "minimal", saying instead that he hopes people will see his character's actions as those of an unemployed man who very reluctantly agrees to join his colleagues out of mutual financial desperation.

A former producer of the Jabulani Repertory Company, this is his first role in a musical, and first lead role, although he has acted before, and he loves the show.

"The music appeals to me very much," Mr. Hind says. "It's not typical Broadway stuff. There's very much a pop feel to it. Plus, most of the songs are either very funny or very sweet."

Although the show is set in Buffalo, New York, rather than Sheffield, England, he believes people will be pleasantly surprised at how favourably the musical compares to the movie.

He describes Jerry as "a bit of a scumbag, a bit of a charmer, and pretty much lost, having been unemployed for 18 months, until he finds something to succeed at with his idea to strip", and identifies with more of his character's traits than not.

Despite saying his involvement in the show is "terrifying and exciting", Mr. Hind is having the time of his life, and, thanks to the talented cast, is also learning a lot. He is working intensively, and appreciates Matthew Eames'gentle direction and willingness to teach him. Musical director Richard John is "simply amazing", and has him doing far more than he ever imagined he could.

Both confident and nervous about everything other than the strip on opening night, Mr. Hind hopes people will see beyond the "adult situations" and enjoy the story of "a bunch of guys desperately trying to be someone in their families' eyes, and, more importantly, in their own".

Alan Gilbertson is a man who enjoys making people laugh. With 'the full monty' in mind, he says, "In this show, if they don't laugh at my lines, they'll laugh at my ..... lines." With a lot of theatre and singing experience under his...belt, he was persuaded – "or was it dared?" – to overcome his "innate prudishness" and audition as means to fund-raise for the South African feeding scheme, Feedback (www.feedback.org.za).

"Last year, Feedback donated 12.6 million meals to the poorest of the poor in South African, and yet the need is far greater," he says. "Every dollar I can raise will pay for approximately 15 meals. How could I turn down a chance to do that?"

Asked if he knew that the role of Harold Nichols involved doing 'the full monty', Mr. Gilbertson responds: "Absolutely not! The producer assured me I'd always have some clothes on. I didn't realise she meant socks."

In fact, he claims to be so conservative that he keeps his tee shirt on at the beach, and is therefore filled with "raw terror" at having to strip in public.

That aside, Mr. Gilbertson rates 'The Full Monty' as one of the most fascinating musicals, and says that while people "understandably" focus on the stripping scenes, these are but a small part of the whole show. Rather, it is about "ingenuity overcoming adversity", with six disparate men drawn together by a common need for money.

"Desperate times call for desperate measures, and while their initial, inept efforts are hilarious, they ultimately profoundly change their strained relationships with each other, their wives and children," he says.

Harold is a steel mill manager with an MBA who has "cost-efficiencied" several of the other men out of their jobs. While they view him as "a hard-nosed SOB", he is also conservative, self-conscious, soft-hearted, a good dancer, and so utterly dedicated to his socialite wife, Vicki, that he can't tell her he lost his job for fear she'll leave him. While Mr. Gilbertson identifies with many of Harold's qualities, he draws the line at being a good dancer.

Although his role means "piles of work", he's finding it "mountains of fun". Everyone is pulling together nicely, and despite having "hugely different personalities", the six strippers are getting along "brilliantly" – "which is just as well, as we're seeing a lot of each other. Literally," he quips.

Mr. Gilbertson finds working with such talented professionals as Matthew Eames and Richard John "a privilege and genuine pleasure", and says both are immensely patient working with amateurs, especially when 'real life' interferes with rehearsal times. "They expect a lot, and are skillfully motivating us to try to deliver."

On opening night, the actor is totally confident that the show will be good, the audiences will love it, and he will be terrified in the final scene. He is also confident that he will get some strange looks in the streets thereafter.

While Mr. Gilbertson doesn't have a maiden aunt, he did take his very conservative, 70-year-old stepmother to see a professional performance of 'The Full Monty', and says she loved it.

"That said, I don't want to offend anyone. This is the wrong show for anyone who would be uncomfortable with nudity or strong language," he advises.

Matthew Nester has a Bachelor's degree in vocal performance and planned to be a professional opera singer before coming to Bermuda. No stranger to the local stage, he played Harry Houdini in 'Ragtime' last year. He enjoyed the film, 'The Full Monty', and when he heard the album of the musical, he fell in love with the music, so was very excited to learn that it was this year's G&S production. Knowing which roles would require stripping, he successfully auditioned for one of them, and has no qualms about taking his clothes off.

"I see the whole stripping aspect of the story as a sort of allegory," he says. "If you take that away, what you're really seeing is six regular guys who build a friendship together, and are able to do something they never thought they could do."

In fact, Mr. Nester likes the musical because "it takes a lot of serious, real-world issues like unemployment, divorce and suicide, and treats them in a very humorous manner. It's a way of getting people to think about these issues without focusing on their unpleasant aspects".

He plays Malcolm MacGregor, a sweet homosexual who is "kind of nerdy looking, but not too bright, and who lives with his mother". Malcolm progresses from unhappy to new-found self-esteem and falling in love. Matthew identifies somewhat with the nerdy qualities, but says he's "a lot more intelligent".

He is "thrilled" to be acting with his real-life wife, Siani Colley-Nester, who plays Malcolm's mother, and says his fellow strippers are all strong performers who learn from one another. He praises director Matthew Eames for getting the sextet into the right frame of mind to play the struggles of unemployed men, and musical director Richard John for getting him to relax out of his classically-trained voice.

Mr. Nester says he is "really psyched" for opening night, never suffers from stage fright, and reveals that an aunt is coming from the UK especially to see him.

Dion Ming is no stranger to the local stage. Although this is his fourth musical, Ethan Girard is his first role as a professional actor, and also his first lead role. Passion for theatre was the real motivation for auditioning, but the fact that it was also challenging "sealed the deal". Originally cast in another role, Mr. Ming was initially "a little apprehensive" about the switch because the role was "completely out of character" for him, but says that, like him, Ethan is a real character. As a result, he has been challenged on many different levels, and required to dig deep within himself to embody Ethan's unique individuality. Consequently, he is now more confident as an artist.

Mr. Ming particularly likes this musical because the story depicts "real people living real lives", and says everyone can identify with at least one of the characters somewhere along the line. Being on stage is "fun", and he is having a great time working with his fellow "full montys". Mr. Eames is "a great director who truly has a vision" , and he has learned that directors "exercise patience in every essence of the word".

A recent graduate of the American Musical and Dramatic Academy in New York, Mr. Ming looks forward to "exploring the realms of film/television, musical theatre, stage plays", and his first love: singing, but plans to become more involved in local theatre until he is ready to locate to London or New York.

Meanwhile, the actor is presently "cool, calm and collected", but knows that opening night nerves will emerge.

"Luckily, I thrive off nervous energy, and am confident that the show will be in great shape by opening night. I encourage the community at large to come out and support the arts."

Asked if he would take a maiden aunt to see the show, Mr. Ming exclaims: "It's nothing she hasn't seen before!"

Leon Waye has appeared in G&S productions since arriving here three years ago. Auditioning because he wanted to be part of "a great piece of theatre", he landed the role of Dave Bukatinsky, knowing full well he'd be doing "the full monty", but says he wouldn't want it any other way, and is "taking it as it comes and hoping for the best". In any case, he regards the supposedly titillating scene as "a small piece of the story which needs to be there to wrap up the whole show".

Mr. Waye sums up Dave as a "follower" to his best friend Jerry, and a man filled with insecurities who has problems with himself, his life and his wife. As far as identifying with the character himself, the actor says he, too, is "a big guy" who has sometimes felt that his body wasn't good enough – "but then again, it can't be that bad because I'm going full monty with it!".

Overall, Mr. Waye says the show, everyone involved, and the faces new to G&S are all "great". The director is "amazing"; and the musical director "brings so much experience to the table". He regards working with both as "a great honour".

Having previously appeared in 'Beauty and the Beast' and 'Ragtime', the actor says he will "always be on stage". As for any first-night jitters, he is keeping an open mind.

"We'll see when we get there, but I'm sure Nervous will be out in full force."

Mr. Waye would have no qualms about taking a maiden aunt to the show. "This is theatre, and the show is more than naked men. If my aunt can't see that, I am sorry for her."

Marvin Ford, who plays Horse, and is the sixth stripper, was unavailable for interview.

The Full Monty (music and lyrics: David Yazbeck, book: Terrence McNally) plays from October 8-18 at City Hall theatre. For further information see the Bermuda Calendar.