Leeds Playhouse launch open casting call for OLIVER!
Leeds Playhouse has launched an open casting call to find young actors to star in the leading roles of Oliver and Dodger as well as the Children’s Ensemble in its new staging of magical masterpiece Oliver!, opening in Leeds this November.
The Playhouse is working with leading casting directors Keston & Keston, who supported the theatre’s search for Charlie Bucket as part of Charlie and the Chocolate Factory – The Musical, which is currently on tour across the UK. Open auditions will be held on 27 and 28 May to find Oliver, Dodger and members of the Children's Ensemble.
All young people who meet the casting criteria and who register by 17 May will be seen by the team. They must be 9-12 years old, under 5ft tall and live within an hour’s commute of Leeds city centre. This is a paid role, and the Playhouse welcomes young people of all genders to audition.
Casting Directors Keston & Keston said: “We’re looking for committed and enthusiastic young people to be part of the company for the annual Quarry festive show. We are looking for young people with excellent singing, acting and movement skills but no experience is necessary to audition. We welcome applications from young people of all backgrounds including communities typically underrepresented in main stage productions. We strongly encourage inclusive suggestions for this production.”
Leeds Playhouse Artistic Director James Brining, who will be directing the production, said: “Oliver! is such an incredible story; an exciting adventure that has captivated generations and, at its heart, has a young boy who overcomes incredible adversity. Working on this kind of project can be a joyful and exciting experience and I hope Oliver! will match similar productions I’ve worked on in the past at the Playhouse, like Charlie and the Chocolate Factory – The Musical, Chitty Chitty Bang Bang and The Wizard of Oz. We welcome young people from all communities to audition and encourage everyone who is interested and fits the brief to apply even if you don’t have previous acting experience. I’m really excited to meet young people from all over the region.”
INFORMATION
OLIVER AND DODGER AUDITIONS
Role: Oliver and Dodger
Age: 9-12 (children must be 9 by 1 October 2023 to apply)
Height: Must be under 5ft
Availability: Children must be fully available from 1 October 2023 to 27 January 2024. Children cast will share the role throughout the period. This role will involve time off school, and young people must be prepared to be licensed in order to participate
Other: Children must have unbroken voices for these roles
Apply: Please register your details by 17 May with children's Casting Directors Keston & Keston at their website: www.kestonandkestoncasting.com or email info@kestonandkeston.com
CHILDREN'S ENSEMBLE AUDITIONS
Role: Children’s Ensemble
About: We are casting teams of boys and girls to perform in the children’s ensemble including the roles of Noah Claypole and Charlotte Sowerbury
Age: 8-14 (children must be 8 by 1 October 2023 to apply)
Height: Any
Other: Children must have unbroken voices for these roles
Location: We are looking for children from the North of England who live within a 1-hour commute from Leeds city centre
Availability: Children must be fully available from 1 October 2023 to 27 January 2024. Children cast will share the role throughout the period. This role will involve time off school, and young people must be prepared to be licensed in order to participate
Apply: Please register your details by 17 May with children's casting directors Keston & Keston at their website or iOS app: www.kestonandkestoncasting.com or email info@kestonandkeston.com
For more information on the production, please click here.