Theatre company looks for young talent

AN Ipswich theatre company today announced it will once again be holding a talent search for budding actors to appear in it's latest production.

Red Rose Chain Theatre Company will once again be performing a play in Rendlesham Forest in August and be holding a talent search to find actors to star in it.

The show in the forest this year will be Shakespeare's Hamlet and the talent search has been dubbed Strictly Come Shakespeare and has been organised to give local young actors the chance to take part in a professional production.

Last year's Puck Idol search saw hoards of hopefuls audition to take part in the production of A Midsummer Night's Dream and a group of teenagers were chosen to be in the show.

One of them was Robbie Stevens, now 17, of Thomas Mills High School in Framlingham.

He said: “The experience was fantastic. It was a real learning curve. It was great to find out what taking part in professional production is really like.”

Now Red Rose Chain are looking for five more 13 to 19-year-olds to take part in a tough schedule of rehearsals and evening performances during July and August for the performances of Hamlet.

Red Rose Chain director, Joanna Carrick said: 'This will be a unique and exciting opportunity for any young person considering a career in the theatre - we guarantee that the whole Strictly Come Shakespeare experience will be both educational and enjoyable.

“Whether they make it to the final stage or not, all participants will gain a lot from this.”

Strictly Come Shakespeare auditions will take place at Red Rose Chain's offices at 1, Fore Hamlet in Ipswich at 11am on Saturday February 24 and Saturday March 3 with re-calls on Sunday March 4.

For more information, contact Red Rose Chain on 01473 288886.