SOUTHAMPTON'S West End star Earl Carpenter is looking for talented young performers aged 18 and under to play both leading and chorus roles in the musical play, Disney's Peter Pan Jnr in conjunction with The Regent Centre in Christchurch this December.

The first round of auditions takes place at 1.30pm on Sunday, July 15 at Christchurch Regent Centre.

This is an educational initiative and is free to its participants. The show involves interaction at the highest level from current industry and academic specialists from the musical theatre industry, including Earl.

The actor and producer has enjoyed a 26-year career performing in some of the world's greatest musicals. He is best known for playing Inspector Javert in Les Misérables in the West End and on Broadway as well as the title role in Phantom of the Opera, in which he performed over 1,800 times in London’s West End and around the UK.

Earl is also creative director for Ginger Boy Productions and has devised and directed the concert phenomenon, The Three Phantoms, that has toured extensively throughout the UK, Scandinavia and the United Arab Emirates.

Earl’s theatre company has now joined forces with The Regent Centre in its forthcoming production of Disney’s Peter Pan Jnr which will be performed live on the Regent stage between Tuesday 11 – Saturday 15 December.

Earl said: “This project is designed to be a highly positive performance experience for all the young performers focusing on professionalism, confidence building and most importantly fun!”

He added: “We’re investing in local talent with this incredible educational enterprise that should make all the participants more courageous, inspired and confident.”

Earl was born in Southampton but grew up around Poole and Bournemouth where he became a part of the busy am-dram scene as well as with professional organisations such as Forest Forge Theatre in Ringwood and the Jellicoe Theatre at Bournemouth and Poole College. With strong local ties, Earl is also the official patron of Mayflower Musical Youth Theatre at Southampton’s Mayflower Theatre.

Tickets are now on sale at the Regent in Christchurch for Disney’s Peter Pan Jnr. from 11 – 15 December, where a company of successfully auditioned young performers will perform a 60-minute musical based on the Disney film and J.M. Barrie's enchanting play.

The modern version of the classic tale about a boy who wouldn't grow up boasts a score that includes new arrangements of classic Disney songs and a story featuring one rousing adventure after another.

To get involved, simply visit the Regent Centre’s dedicated URL link on the website for more information and download an application form.

For more information contact The Regent Centre on 01202 499199 or visit regentrecentre.co.uk