Theatre Royal Plymouth on the hunt for children’s ensemble for this year’s pantomime, Dick Whittington
Theatre Royal Plymouth is, once again, searching for two teams of eight children to take part in this year’s Theatre Royal Plymouth Pantomime, Dick Whittington.
In order to meet as many young people as possible, this year TRP will be holding auditions in two stages. The first round on Sunday 05 October 2025 will be an open call. Following this round, we will invite a small group of auditionees back to meet the productions choreographer on Saturday 18 October 2025.
Auditions take place at TR2 Production & Learning Centre.
TRP are keen to ensure that there are no financial barriers associated with accessing this opportunity, so there are travel bursaries available to support travel expenses that are required to take part in the show, and all meals on show days will be provided.
Dick Whittington will star television, recording, musical theatre and pantomime star Shane Richie, who will headline this year’s pantomime in the title role.
Shane will be joined by Plymouth panto favourite Samuel Holmes as the Spirit of Bow Bells, musical theatre stars Anne Smith as Queen Rat, Emily Beth Harrington, also returning to her hometown for the festive season, as Alice Fitzwarren and Kira McPherson as Kitty Cat, and panto dame Iain Stuart Robertson as Sarah, The Cook.
Join Dick Whittington as he seeks fame, fortune, and happiness journeying to become Lord Mayor.
Packed with all the traditional pantomime ingredients audiences know to expect from Theatre Royal Plymouth, don’t miss the action-packed pantomime that promises to be full of laugh-out-loud comedy, plenty of boos and hisses and lavish sets and costumes from The London Palladium.
Audition details:
First Round
When?
- Sunday 05 October 2025
- Registration will take place from 9:15am and auditions will start at 10:00am. Please be prepared to stay until 1pm.
Where?
- TR2 Production & Learning Centre, 12 Neptune Park, Plymouth, PL4 0SJ.
Call Backs
- Following the first round of auditions a smaller group of young people will be invited, via email, to a call back to work with the show’s choreographer. From this shortlist the final 16 will be selected.
- These call backs will take place on Saturday 18 October 2025 at TR2.
Casting requirements:
These auditions are open for children who can meet the following requirements:
- You must be in Key Stage 2, so currently in Primary School Years 3 - 6.
- You must be no taller than 4 feet 8 inches and will be measured, in bare feet, on arrival.
- You must be competent in modern dance and will be taught a routine, as part of your audition, on the day. If you wish to know more about the style of dance that happens in our pantomime, please email ryan.wilce@theatreroyal.com
- You must be available for the following rehearsals:
Thursday 06 November: 5:00pm - 6:30pm
Thursday 20 November: 5:00pm - 6:30pm
Thursday 27 November: 5:00pm - 6:30pm
- You must be available, every day from Monday 08 December – Saturday 10 January for full company rehearsals and performances.
- You must live within a 20-mile radius of Theatre Royal Plymouth
- When you take part in this show all your meals on show days will be provided.
- Travel bursaries are available to support with any travel expenses that are required to take part in the show
- TRP is particularly keen to meet young people who have never been involved in our pantomimes before, and encourage young performers from all backgrounds to come and audition for the pantomime.
- Taking part in the auditions and the show are all FREE of charge.
- Please complete the consent form here before arriving.
License Application Evening:
- If chosen for the ensemble all parents will need to attend a meeting on Thursday 23 October at 6pm to complete all the required paperwork for the performance license.
If you have any questions about the audition process, please email ryan.wilce@theatreroyal.com
