YORK Theatre Royal will hold auditions on March 11 to find two boys and a very special dog to appear in Anne Bronte's The Tenant Of Wildfell Hall this spring.

From April 25 to May 6, the boys will share the role of Arthur, the son of the story's protagonist, Helen Graham, in Deborah McAndrew's new stage adaptation of Anne Bronte's 1848 novel.

Director Elizabeth Newman is seeking two boys with the maximum playing age of seven for the role. Only one boy will be needed per performance and the performances will be split equally between the two boys. They will be starring alongside a dog on stage, so must be comfortable working with animals.

The boys must be available between Monday, April 24 and Saturday, May 6 for technical rehearsals and performances and will be looked after by a York Theatre Royal licensed chaperone.

Meanwhile, the canine cameo requires a medium-sized, Border Collie-type working dog, who is very obedient and will take instruction from its owner. The dog must have a calm temperament and be capable of adapting to working on stage with lights and an audience.

The auditions will be held on the afternoon of March 11. In order to attend, please download and complete The Tenant Of Wildfell Hall audition application form available at yorktheatreroyal.co.uk

The Tenant Of Wildfell Hall is set in 19th century Yorkshire, where a mysterious young widow, Helen Graham, and her son Arthur arrive at the desolate estate of Wildfell Hall. Isolating herself from the village, Helen soon becomes the subject of speculation.

Intrigued by this beautiful and enigmatic woman, a young farmer, Markham, gradually falls in love. Torn apart by her attraction to Markham and the secrets of her past, Helen finally reveals the shocking history she thought she had left behind.

Co-produced by York Theatre Royal and the Octagon Theatre, Bolton, The Tenant Of Wildfell Hall is a passionate story of a woman's fight for independence that will form part of the Theatre Royal's Of Woman Born season. Tickets are on sale on 01904 623568 or at yorktheatreroyal.co.uk