WANTED: Chance to star in West End show Oliver!

Undiscovered young actors in Maidenhead are being offered an exclusive chance to take centre stage in the West End's latest star-studded musical.

A search has been launched this week for children to take part in a new stage production of Oliver! starring Rowan Atkinson and Jodie Prenger, winner of BBC show I'd Do Anything. 

Two teams of 20 youngsters are needed to open the show with a performance of  the famous song Food Glorious Food. 

Maidonian, Jo Hawes, has been charged with finding the children and decided her home town was the best place to start. 

She has worked as a children's casting director for 13 years and normally holds open auditions in London. But she is delighted to be able to offer this chance to Maidenhead's youngsters and said: "Hopefully we will discover some new talent.
"It's a fantastic experience and opportunity for the children to be in a high profile production."

The young entertainers will have the opportunity to receive some training from theatre professionals and once some experience is gained may have the opportunity to audition for other parts in the show. 
This could include Fagin’s Gang, other ensemble children or even Dodger or Oliver.
No experience is required.

Jo added: "There's this is conception that to audition for productions like this they need to have agents and have done stuff already but all we are interested in is the individual children and what they have got to offer.
"Sometimes that's undiscovered and the parents don't even know they can do it."

Jo entered the world of theatre more than 30 years ago when she started as a dresser at Windsor's Theatre Royal. She went on to work as a freelance stage manager before being invited to work with theatre supremo, Cameron Mackintosh.

She has found children for shows ranging from the Sound of Music to Chitty Chitty Bang Bang and was responsible for discovering Jon Lee, who played Oliver in a previous production and went on to be a member of S Club 7.

The auditions will be held at a Maidenhead school over the next two weeks and are open to boys aged 10–12 who are under 5ft and can sing in tune with an unbroken voice.  

There are also limited places for girls who must also be under 5ft, undeveloped and good singers.

All children must be available from 20 October 2008 – 21 Feb 2009  and will be taken to and from the theatre by chaperoned coaches when required.

For further details please contact Jo Hawes at jo.hawes@virgin.net