Have you got the X factor for big production?
Producers of a new musical about the highs and lows of celebrity, to be premiered in Portsmouth, are looking for young performers with the X factor.
Candidates will be asked to sing a song from the golden age of Hollywood musicals before undergoing group dancing tests.
Then comes a final 'boot camp' selection phase in the style of TV talent series the X Factor, although there will be no public voting.
Words and music for the show – Sweet FA – have been written by Dominic Symonds, 35, course leader in drama at the University of Portsmouth.
Part of the reason for taking the X Factor route is that the show is set in Hollywood and tells the stories of silent comedian Fatty Arbuckle and actress Peg Entwhistle, 'who both had tragic things happen to them because of the pressures of celebrity,' Mr Symonds said.
'I certainly don't have a down on X Factor shows. They offer a tangible way for the aspirations of youngsters to be turned into careers.
'You can see that from the success of Same Difference, for example.
'But Sweet FA shows how success can offer you everything in the world but also lead to misfortune. Hollywood can make you but also break you.'
Mr Symonds said the other purpose of the project was to showcase the best of local talent.
So although six principal roles will be played by performers recruited from normal professional auditions, smaller individual and ensemble parts will be played by regional actors aged 16 to 25.
The production, to be conducted by university director of music Colin Jagger, has won funding from the university.
Provided a further 5,000 sponsorship can be found, the first performance on September 30 will be a gala to raise funds for the New Theatre Royal's work with young people.
Email to a friend
Print this page
Looking for...
Featured advertisers
Jobs
Search for a job
Motors
Search for a car
Property
Search for a house
Weather for Portsmouth
Saturday 04 February 2012
Today
Light snow
Temperature: 2 C to 5 C
Wind Speed: 20 mph
Wind direction: South east
Tomorrow
Cloudy
Temperature: 2 C to 5 C
Wind Speed: 12 mph
Wind direction: North
