THURROCK’S longest running musical theatre group Tops On Stage is developing a youth platform for youngsters in Thurrock who want to perform in live musical shows.

The theatre group has 55 years and is keen to involve young actors as they build and prepare their group for the future.

Already, Tops has staged shows such as Oliver, The King and I, Blitz and Annie in an effort to encourage and attract young performers.

Now the group is preparing to cast their next show – a fully costumed production of the Rice/Webber musical Joseph and The Amazing Technicolour Dreamcoat.

The show calls for 30 teenagers who have an interest in performing the roles of Joseph and his brothers, the Pharaoh and Potiphar along with 12 girls who can play the brothers wives, the narrator and Potiphar’s wife.

Three Thurrock junior schools are being sought to provide the junior choir who will share two performances each during the run of six performances in June.

The show has been performed throughout the world in schools and on the professional stage amounting to over 28,000 different productions. The first workshops will take place on Thursday January 25 and anyone interested simply needs to turn up on the day at 5pm at the United Reformed Church in Bradleigh Avenue, Grays or by phoning in advance 01376 567677.