WHERE have all the boys gone? A shortage of male dancers and singers is causing casting problems today for a popular Ipswich-based theatre group.

WHERE have all the boys gone?

A shortage of male dancers and singers is causing casting problems today for a popular Ipswich-based theatre group.

The Co-op Juniors Theatre Company is currently rehearsing for its annual Christmas Spectacular! show

Co-director Pauline Walker said: “We're just about to start rehearsals and we seem to have mislaid a number of older boys.

“We're working on Christmas Spectacular! for Snape Maltings and Colchester, but seem to be victims of our own success as two of our top boys have gone off to work at Disneyland Paris.”

Oliver Brett and Luke Cattermole both had lead roles in the sell-out summer run of Disney's High School Musical 2 at the Seckford Theatre, Woodbridge.

And since then, they've successfully auditioned for Disneyland Paris and are now working at the famous park.

Pauline added: “With many of our older boys going off to university and college or doing exams, we're holding auditions for boys aged 14 to 20 for the first time.

“Most of our talented cast come up through each age range, but we've got a gap this year before the new crop grows up.”

Co-director Jeannie Ingram said: “It's a great opportunity for older boys to gain experience on a large-scale production, develop their vocal and dance skills, and have some fun doing it with a really supportive group.

“They'll be performing in front of about 10,000 people during the run in two venues, so it's a unique chance.”

“With an explosion of stage schools and dance academies, and the popularity of talent shows the chance for some time in the spotlight is one many teenagers find difficult to resist.”

Have you got the talent? If you're aged 14-20, and male you can get an audition by calling Pauline Walker on 07718 160863. Rehearsals continue every week until the show.

Christmas Spectacular! is at Snape Maltings from December 17-22, for tickets call 01728 687110. The show is also at Charter Hall, Colchester, from December 28-30, for tickets call 01206 282020.

The Co-op Juniors has been going for more than 60 years.

The group is supported by the East of England Coop member education committee.

The Co-op Juniors produce two shows a year, usually a musical in the summer and a Christmas show.

The group was formed in 1942 to help children escape the horrors of war.

Shows have a cast of about 100.

Members train in various dance disciplines throughout the year including tap, modern and ballet.