SEVENTEEN youngsters who auditioned successfully for membership of a youth theatre group will now face a second audition for roles in the group’s summer show.

They were among about 50 eight to 18-year-olds who sang, danced and acted in a bid to join Worcester Operatic and Dramatic Society’s Youth Section (WODYS).

Early next year they will be up before a panel of judges again as they compete with more than 60 other members of WODYS for parts in the musical Disco Inferno, to be staged at Worcester’s Swan theatre from Tuesday, August 3 to Saturday, August 7, 2010.

The second auditions will follow a series of workshops in various forms of stagecraft being held between now and Christmas.

WODYS chairman and director, David Humphries, said: “The standard at the membership auditions was very high and we were very pleased, but it gave the auditioning committee a difficult job to reach a decision. We want to thank everybody who spent time learning the audition pieces and it’s a shame that we are unable to take everyone.

“Unsuccessful candidates will be offered a placed in the WODYS academy (WODAC) which started three years ago and has been very successful. Of the 17 who successfully auditioned, eight had come through WODAC.

“I am very pleased with the interest which continues to be shown in WODYS. A lot of youngsters get a bad press these days and it is nice to meet really genuine youngsters from all sorts of backgrounds and different schools. They should be applauded.”

The academy meets on Saturday afternoons at St Mary’s Hall in the Arboretum, Worcester, for tuition in singing, dancing and drama. The classes culminate in a production for parents, and then the children will have the opportunity to take part in next year’s audition for membership of the groups.

WODYS, formed in 1982 with a handful of youngsters, has become the leading amateur dramatic youth group in the area, constantly producing high standards of musical theatre and attracting audiences of all ages.