The Customs House in South Shields is looking for a new rising star to play Beauty in this year’s panto, Beauty and the Beast.
Half of the seats for the show have already been sold but, as Executive Director Ray Spencer who co-writes, directs and stars in the panto said, “this year we are enjoying record-breaking box office sales, which is very pleasing of course, but we certainly won't have a show without a truly fabulous Beauty, and that's why we've decided to attract local talent to audition for the role. We're very much looking forward to holding auditions that will enable us to give home-grown talent a chance to shine and be our guest.”
These open auditions will be at the theatre between 6:00 and 8:00 on 4 July and are open to anyone with a playing age of 18 to 25. All would-be panto stars have to do it turn up with a CV, headshot, and two contrasting songs to be performed a capella, as well as one short uplifting poem—and a joke.
“Previous open auditions have resulted in us casting actors who have gone on to successful careers in radio, TV and on the West End stage,” Spencer added, “so we are really looking forward to setting another young person on the road to stardom.”
Beauty and the Beast runs from 27 November to 5 January.