A CHANCE for young acting and dancing stars-in-the-making to tread the boards is coming up at the Towngate Theatre as auditions are open for Peter Pan.

Plans for the panto are underway following the five star success of the Beauty and the Beast at the Basildon based show venue last year.

On Sunday May 22 auditions are open to boys and girls aged from eight to 16 years old, to star in the production.

Louise Frankton, spokesman for the theatre, said: "The Towngate is looking for two groups of children, with different skill sets, to participate in the show.

"Auditions for both groups will be held at the Towngate Theatre in St Martin's Square, on Sunday May 22.

"The two groups are The Lost Children/John and Michael Darling auditions and The Young Ensemble auditions.

"The Towngate is looking for talented children who can sing, dance and act to be part of Peter Pan’s gang or one of the Darling children.

"These will be speaking and singing parts for boys and girls aged between eight - 16 years.

"This will be a movement-based audition. The children who get through this stage will be given songs and monologues to learn and asked to come back for a second audition in a few weeks’ time."

Registration for The Lost Children and Darling Children auditions takes place at 9:30am with the auditions going on from 10am-12:30pm.

Ms Frankton added: "For The Young Ensemble Auditions the theatre will be looking for extremely talented dancers aged between 10-16 years, who have at least five years’ experience of dance training.

"These children will be extremely featured in the production and dance alongside the professional ensemble in the big musical numbers.

"The registration for The Young Ensemble auditions will be 12:30pm with auditions from 1pm - 5pm."

Simon Fielding, who returns this year as Peter Pan’s co-producer and director said: "I am so excited that we are back this year with Peter Pan, which is truly the most magical of all

pantomimes.

"We are looking for about 32 children in total - we would love to have an equal number of boys to girls, and we hope that this opportunity will encourage more boys to audition this year.

"This will be a life-changing experience for those that make it into the show, and one they will never forget - some of them will even get to fly!"

UK Pantomime Award nominated Sophie Ladds will be returning to the stage this year, as the dastardly Captain Hook.

After winning the hearts of the audiences as Dame Dolly Dumpling in Beauty and the Beast, Ian Hallard will also be returning as the Dame this year.

Peter Pan runs from Wednesday 23 November 2022 – Monday 2 January 2023.

Book tickets at towngatetheatre.co.uk or the box office on 01268 205 300.