Kids take centre stage in panto auditions

Sep 27 2007 By Catherine Lillington, Birmingham Mail

TWINKLE-toed youngsters took part in auditions to earn a starring role in this year's Birmingham Mail sponsored Drayton Manor panto.

The hopefuls were competing for roles as Lost Boys and Indians in the show, which promises to be a spell-binding adaptation of J.M. Barrie's timeless classic Peter Pan.

Children, aged from six years old, were put through their paces by choreographer Tamar, who was impressed by the standard of those auditioning.

He said: "The audition went well. The girls were fantastic but due to the lack of boys attending, we will look to hold another audition in October."

They took to the stage at the Staffordshire theme park on Sunday to land roles in the show, which will run in the new 1,200 seater big top theatre.

The star-studded cast includes Vicky Longley, from children's TV show Genie in the House, as Wendy, and Ulric Browne, who plays market trader Winston in EastEnders, as Starkey.

The panto, which is being produced by West End theatre company Hammond Productions, will also feature a guest appearance from cartoon cat Garfield.

It opens on December 9 and runs until January 6.

For more information on the show go to www.hammondproductions.co.uk or call 0870 240 6950.