A WORCESTER youth theatre group has recruited 17 new members thanks to the high standard of applicants.

Worcester Operatic and Dramatic Society Youth Section - WODYS - chairman and director David Humphries, said: ‘‘We had estimated that we could take up to 15 youngsters to add to the 50 existing members.

"However, the standard was so high that the panel decided to take 17. We are sorry that we could not take all those who auditioned, but there is a limit to the number people we can have in our cast.”

There should be some interesting competition when WODYS hold auditions in January for roles in next summer’s musical Back to the 80s.

Well-established members with several shows under their belts will be joined by the newcomers and all will be certain of a role in the show whether principal, dancer or chorus.

The following youngsters have been successful in securing a place in WODYS: Alex Bushell; Beth Salisbury; Catherine Broadbent; Emily Button; Faye Davies; Finley Mackinnon; Harry Rogers; Harvey Lewis; Haydn Jenkins; Kaitlyn Norwood; Maddy Meredith; May Davidson; Poppy Harris; Bex Stephens; Robyn McCollum; Sophie Rowberry and Willow Harris.

For those who did not manage to get into WODYS this year there is the chance to join WODAC, the youth section’s academy which schools youngsters in all forms of stagecraft over week-long workshops held in school half-terms next year – each week culminating in a performance for parents and friends. 

The academy is designed to give youngsters grounding in stagecraft with a view to them auditioning for membership of the main group next autumn.

The new recruits are joining existing members at the group’s regular weekly Saturday meetings, taking part in workshops which WODYS hold in various forms of theatre skills between now and Christmas.

WODYS shows usually sell out and tickets have already been ordered for the next show – Back to the 80s – on from Tuesday to Saturday, July 30 to August 3, 2019, at Worcester’s Swan Theatre.

WODYS parent group – WODS – Worcester Operatic and Dramatic Society – is performing Monty Python’s Spamalot at the Swan Theatre from Tuesday to Friday, October 16 to 20, 2018, and tickets are available from Worcester Live box office on 01905 611427.