AUDITIONS are being held across north Essex for this year’s Mercury Theatre Young Company.

Following on from the success of Quadrophenia last year, the Colchester theatre is looking for more talented 16 to 25-year-olds to take part in this year’s production of the Wall.

Recruitment workshops are taking place in Clacton and Colchester over the coming weeks, where participants will have the opportunity to demonstrate their acting, singing and dancing ability.

The workshops will also give those attending the chance to meet current Young Company members and hear about their experience of last year’s sell-out show. Thomas Freeth, community and education producer at the Mercury Theatre, says: “Last year’s production was an eyeopener for many of the 55 Young Company members.

“They were able to get hands-on experience of working in a theatre, both backstage and onstage.

“For many, it was enough to make them realise that they had found a career they wanted to pursue further.

“The recruitment sessions will not be run as traditional auditions. They are instead a way of discovering the talent available and letting young people know about the commitment we require.”

The recruitment workshops for those interested in acting, singing and dancing will be held from 2pm to 5pm at three different venues; at Clacton Country High School this Saturday, the Mercury Theatre, Colchester, on Sunday, and at Rayne Village Hall in Braintree on April 5.

There will also be a session for those interested in backstage and technical theatre on Saturday from 10am to noon and a recruitment workshop for musicians on April 6 from 2pm to 5pm, both at the Mercury Theatre. More information is available online at www.mercurytheatre.co.uk or you can e-mail talent@mercurythe atre.co.uk