By ABIGAIL CASPARI in Rotorua
Waikite Valley's Matt Evans is used to life on the farm but is adamant he doesn't share much in common with the character he plays in Rotorua Musical Theatre's latest production Footrot Flats.
Mr Evans plays the role of Wal, (properly known asWallace Cadwallader Footrot) in the production which opens at Casa Blanca Theatre on Friday night.
Mr Evans, who played Kinickie in the theatre group's production of Grease last year, says the only aspect he has in common with his character, apart from being a sheep farmer, is that he wears similar attire.
"I do wear woolly singlets but I'm definitely not as grumpy. Well, I'd like to think so anyway."
He decided to audition for the role thinking the show would be a "bit of a laugh".
His on-stage girlfriend Dahlene "Cheeky" Hobson is played by Hayley Murfitt, who is no stranger to Rotorua's theatre scene. She was also in Grease last year and starred in Les Miserables in 2001 as well as other productions over the years.
She says none of her friends were surprised when she told them she had got the role of Cheeky.
"She is a lot like me so I'm told. I'm definitely the town part of this partnership."
Ms Murfitt admits feeling a little nervous about opening night given that she is not only playing Cheeky but also Sheep.
"That has been the biggest challenge playing two different characters."
This is the second time Rotorua's Sue Mumby has directed Footrot Flats, the first was in Morrinsville 15 years ago.
"It's our [Rotorua Musical Theatre's] 60th anniversary and we thought we would celebrate it with something Kiwi."
The youngest in the cast of 11 is Rotorua teenager Ryan Christensen, 15, who plays the other main character Dog.
Ms Mumby said she would normally not pick someone so young to play a lead role but Ryan had taken to the part extremely well.
Tickets are $20 for adults and $15 for children and are available from Ticketek. The show runs until May 14.
