Odyssey will be the 2010 Ryedale Festival Community Opera

Set to music by Tim Brooks, the opera will be staged by director Em Whitfield Brooks at St Peter’s Church, Norton on July 16 and 17 at 6pm.

Em is seeking singers, dancers, actors, DJs, MCs, rappers and musicians of all ages, who are invited to attend audition workshops at Helmsley Arts Centre on Friday, May 7 from 7pm to 8.15pm and the Milton Rooms, Malton, on Sunday, May 9 from 3pm to 5pm.

“For sheer scope and ambition there’s no other performance project quite like this in Ryedale,” says Em.

“Now in its 11th year, the project takes a new musical, 70 performers of all ages and levels of experience – some as young as six, some into their seventies – plus a band of musician and a group of rappers, as well as set and costume designers and the core team of professionals, and then produces a performance in five days.

“We’re hoping to work with old friends and new performers to make a fantastic, spectacular show. We’re looking for anyone who is up for the challenge and keen to be involved in any way, from backstage crew to those who can sew. Our audition workshops are open to anyone, and if you want to enrol or need further information, please contact me on 01751 431231.”

The project will involve some Sunday rehearsals in June at the Milton Rooms in preparation for the rehearsal week from July 12 to 16 at St Peter’s Church.

Writer Martin Vander Weyer is a former chairman of Ryedale Festival and former director of Helmsley Arts Centre. He worked for 15 years as an investment banker in London, Brussels and the Far East before turning to writing; he is now the business editor of The Spectator and a regular contributor to the Daily Telegraph.

He also writes books and plays and finds time too to be a Helmsley town councillor.

Composer Tim Brooks last year wrote Everyman for the community opera, and once again he will be joined in the production team by designer Lyn Wait.