MORE than 50 youngsters are competing for just 15 places at a leading youth theatre group in Worcester today.

The youngsters, aged between eight and 18, are hoping for a place with Worcester Operatic and Dramatic Society Youth Section (WODYS), which each year stages a full musical at the Swan Theatre, Worcester, and entertains people in care homes, women’s institutes and other organisations with a winter cabaret.

The prospective members – who must have already registered and attended pre-audition workshops – will sing, dance and act before an audition panel of about 10.

Those who succeed will face another audition for roles in next year’s musical Disco Inferno, to be staged from Tuesday, August 3, to Saturday, August 7.

Every member of WODYS is guaranteed to be in the musical.

This year’s membership hopefuls include a number who have been receiving training at WODAC, the group’s academy. They have also been attending preliminary workshops in recent weeks.

Chairman and director David Humphries said rehearsals for the production would start in January with members expected to attend each Saturday morning, and principals also expected at Sunday rehearsals.

“I’d like to thank all the youngsters who will be auditioning for their interest and wish them the best of luck,” he said.

“It is such a shame, but we can’t just take everyone. WODYS has a membership of about 70. I’d also like to encourage those who are not successful this time to try again next year or to join WODYS academy which is held every Saturday afternoon to teach all forms of stage craft.”