"These six men are normal, working blokes from a rather poor area. They're ordinary guys, they could be anyone you know. We've just got to find them."
In fact, Lawson says he is looking for the biggest cast Little Theatre has had in decades — 28 people.
"There's only six people stripping, so not all 28 will be getting their gear off. We need 20 men and eight women, and some of the roles are non-speaking roles, so there really is something for everyone, even the people new to theatre."
The multi-award-winning Fox Searchlight Pictures film took the world by storm, breaking box office records and netting more than $250 million. Lawson, who grew up in the UK and moved to New Zealand in 1979, remembers watching the film when it first came out.
"It's always been one of my favourite movies. It's got a great storyline, and I really enjoy that British sense of humour. I've pretty much wanted to do The Full Monty as a theatre show since the movie came out, and I looked into it about six or seven years ago. The amateur rights weren't available yet, but they are now, and we've got them, and it's going to be a lot of fun."
Lawson says as well as being a rip-roaring comedy, the story touches on more serious issues - like unemployment, depression, and the rights of fathers.
"It's not just a strip show. It's a play based on a tough time in history, a time when unemployment was high and crime was high. So, yes it's a play that centres around a strip show, but it's more than that too. I hope everyone will come and see this."
The Full Monty is on at New Plymouth Little Theatre from July 14 to 31. Open auditions for all 28 roles will be held on Saturday, March 13, 1pm, at Te Piere on the WITT Campus. For more information or for a copy of the script, please contact production manager Tasha Paton on tashapaton@gmail.com.