STARS in the making queued up on the streets of York in a bid to become a scarecrow, a tin man or a cowardly lion.

Hundreds of young hopefuls, aged between nine and 21, waited outside the Grand Opera House, in York, wanting to be one of the 150 young people needed for this summer's production of The Wizard of Oz.

Among the would-be Dorothys was Grace McCormick, who played Annie in last year's production at the Opera House.

The auditions for aspiring actors, dancers and the ensemble took place on Monday. Musicians tried out for a place in the orchestra yesterday.

The theatre also held interviews yesterday for backstage workers, aged between 12 and 21, who want to pursue a technical career.

Updated: 10:12 Wednesday, April 16, 2003