West End producer Cameron Mackintosh is looking for young theatre stars to play Oliver! in the hit production of Lionel Bart’s musical at the London Palladium.
The show is just one of several West End productions currently looking for young cast members, including Les Misérables, The Lion King and the forthcoming Broadway transfer of Cat On A Hot Tin Roof.
Oliver!’s original trio of stars – Laurence Jeffcoate, Gwion Jones and Harry Stott – were cast last year through the BBC TV programme I’d Do Anything, and now the show’s producers are looking for young talents to follow in their footsteps in one of the most famous roles in musical theatre.
The show is also seeking boys to play the Artful Dodger and members of Fagin’s gang.
Potential pick-pockets should be aged eight to 13, under five foot tall, with unbroken voices and strong singing, dancing and acting skills.
Initial auditions will be held on 10 August, and auditionees should be available to appear in the show from October 2009 to April 2010.
London-based youngsters are also being sought to play the roles of Gavroche, Cosette and Eponine in Les Misérables at the Queen’s theatre, for which auditions will be held in early August.
The Lion King’s Cub School, which trains children for the chance to audition for an ensemble role in the long-running show at the Lyceum theatre, is also looking for new entrants, while the all-black production of Cat On A Hot Tin Roof seeks young actors aged four to 10 who bear a resemblance to the lead adult actors Sanaa Lathan and Adrian Lester.
For more information about the auditions and the specific requirements for each show, please contact Jo Hawes at jo.hawes@virgin.net
CB