THE stage is set for aspiring young actors from Inverclyde to star in the Beacon’s professional pantomime.

Bosses at the Greenock arts centre are holding open auditions for boys and girls aged between nine and 16 for roles in Snow White.

Youngsters will be given the chance to strut their stuff on stage as part of an all-star cast featuring Still Game duo Mark Cox and Jane McCarry, aka Tam and Isa.

Auditions are being held at the waterfront venue on Friday August 25 from 4pm.

Beacon chief executive Jackie Shearer is delighted to be able to give local, young performers the chance to take part in the theatre’s annual festive extravaganza.

She said: “Our family pantomime really comes alive and thrives with the performance of children and young people — it’s always great to see them having a ball and adding that extra sparkle to the annual panto magic.

“It’s a great opportunity to perform on the Beacon’s main stage alongside a host of well-kent faces.

“Auditions are fun, the competition is hot but why not give it a try?”

A record 14,455 people saw last year’s panto, Beauty and the Beast, beating the previous attendance best by almost 4,000.

The 2017 instalment will be the Beacon’s fifth professional pantomime since the venue opened in 2013.

Mark and Jane are back for the second year in a row as is panto dame Jimmy Chisholm and actor Lee Samuel.

Stephanie Falls will play the leading role of Snow White while children’s TV favourite Justin Fletcher will be the face and voice of the magic mirror.

Anyone aged between nine and 16 and who is in primary five to S5 can audition.

Registration is at 4pm and auditions start at 4.30pm.

Snow White is co-produced by the Beacon in partnership with Imagine Theatre and will run from Friday December 8 to 31.
For tickets and more information call 723723 or visit www.beaconartscentre.co.uk