Call made to kids for panto dance auditions

Derby LIVE and Paul Holman Associates are holding pantomime dance auditions latger this month.

Aladdin will be staged at the new Derby Arena from Monday, December 7 -Sunday, January 3, and the dance auditions will take place at the Arena on Sunday, September 20.

Aladdin at Derby Arena will feature star studded cast.

Ritchie Neville, best known for being a member one of the UK’s most successful boy bands of the 90s, 5ive. will take on the title role of hero Aladdin, while his real-life partner, Atomic Kitten star Natasha Hamilton, will star as Slave of the Ring.

Comedian Mike ‘Squeaky’ McClean returns for his latest Derby panto appearance, while there will be more laughs provided by Richard David-Caine and Joseph Elliott, who appear in the popular pirate-themed CBeebies’ show Swashbuckle.

Producer Paul Holman Associates will be requiring girls aged between 8 and 11 years, with a maximum height of 4’11”.

They must be at least the equivalent standard of ISTD Grade One in Ballet, Tap and Modern and following a recognised syllabus (IDTA, ISTD, RAD etc) and should also have strong performance skills.

Girls attending auditions must be accompanied and must have a valid signed parental permission form.

If they are not attending with their own parent/guardian, this form can be obtained by emailing Fiona Watson on [email protected] and must be brought along on the day.

Those auditioning must take all relevant shoes and be prepared to stay for some hours if recalled for the final shortlist.

Successful children must be available for the whole of the rehearsal and performance period and must live within a maximum of 30 minutes ‘travelling distance of the Arena.

They must be available for rehearsals from Thursday, November 26 until the opening of the pantomime on Monday, December 7,and be available throughout the run until Sunday, January 3.

Auditions will be held at Derby Arena (Infield), Royal Way, Pride Park, Derby, DE24 8JB on Sunday, September 20, with registration at 9am.

All successful applicants are subject to local education authority performance licensing.

Children should only attend the auditions if accompanied by an adult able to give parental consent for participation and media coverage; however, parental consent forms may be obtained in advance to allow one adult to bring a group of children if necessary, by calling our dance co-ordinator Fiona Watson on 07807 413817 or [email protected]