BERWICK Kaler needs you...to join the dame and his meerkat on the Signal Box Theatre stage in York Theatre Royal's one-off pantomime at the National Railway Museum.

Berwick and his co-director, Damian Cruden, are looking for talented girls to perform in Dick Whittington (And His Meerkat) from Thursday, December 10 to Sunday, January 24 next year.

Auditions will take place on Saturday, October 17 in the Billiard Room at York Theatre Royal’s De Grey Rooms, and to take part, girls should be aged 16 to 18 and must be 16 by November 16 when rehearsals start.

Some previous acting, singing or dancing experience will be required as well as energy and enthusiasm. The successful applicants will join Dame Berwick and his regular cronies Martin Barrass, David Leonard and Suzy Cooper for this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to appear in a pantomime at the NRM.

Rehearsals will be mainly on evenings and weekends and two teams of young people will alternate performances, which will include midweek matinees during term-time. There are no performances on Christmas Day, but anyone interested in taking part must be available for all other shows.

Damian Cruden, the Theatre Royal's artistic director, says: "This winter we'll be looking for a young people’s cast of 16 to 18 year olds to play the rats. This is a little bit different to what we usually do, but then everything about this year’s panto is different! We know some of the younger babbies amongst you might be disappointed but it’s the first time we’ve been able to offer 16 to 18 year olds the chance to be in our panto.

"Working with the NRM, it's really important that we considered fully the health and safety implications for younger children on the set and that we keep everyone safe in what will be a panto of a different scale this year!

"Next year, back in the theatre, we expect to open up the age range again for younger people to be involved, but for one year only, you older teens have the opportunity to join the cast."

Young people who are keen to join the cast and confident that they and their family can make a strong commitment to the pantomime are encouraged to audition. Those with surnames A to L need to register at 10.30am on October 17, followed by an 11am to 12.30pm audition. Those with surnames M to Z will register at 1.30pm, with their audition taking place from 2pm to 3.30pm.

Those auditioning must bring a photograph of themselves and wear appropriate clothing and footwear for running around and dancing. Soft shoes, such as plimsolls or trainers, are recommended and as well as movement, there will be dancing, singing in groups and some sight-reading from a script.

To gauge an idea of numbers, anyone wishing to audition is asked to visit the Dick Whittington page on yorktheatreroyal.co.uk to register their interest online and download an application form to bring on the day. No-one needs to contact the Theatre Royal in advance of the auditions; simply turn up on October 17 with a completed form.

Tickets for Dick Whittington (And His Meerkat) are on sale on 01904 623568, online at yorktheatreroyal.co.uk or in person from the De Grey Rooms box office.