Do you believe in magic? Would you like to join the Lost Boys and Tinkerbell in Neverland and never grow up? Then you should audition for Peter Pan, to be staged at Watford Palace Theatre in April next year.

Hertfordshire County Youth Theatre, run by Watford Palace Theatre in partnership with Hertfordshire Music Service, is looking for young actors to audition for parts in its 2015 staging of JM Barrie’s classic tale.

The production will be a faithful and theatrical retelling of the original story of Peter Pan, adapted for the stage by Olivier Award-winning writer Mike Kenny, best known for his version of The Railway Children at the National Railway Museum in York and at Waterloo station.

Auditions have already started across the county, with more taking place next week. The auditions are made up of two-hour workshops – you don’t need to prepare anything in advance – and are open to anyone aged 13 to 18 who is currently at school or college and living in Herts. A company of 25 young actors will be selected.

Rehearsals will take place in Watford during February and March of next year, including during the half-term holiday, with the production week and four public performances at Watford Palace Theatre in the first week of April.

Director James Williams says: “As a boy who grew up reluctantly, Peter Pan is a story I’ve always loved and wanted to tell as a director. It’s a cracking opportunity to bring these classic characters to life and I can’t wait to find a company of talented young actors from across Hertfordshire to do it justice.”

  • Peter Pan auditions are held at Tring School on Wednesday, November 19, from 3.30pm to 5.30pm; at Kings Langley School on Friday, November 21, from 4pm to 6pm; and at Watford Palace Theatre on Saturday, November 22, from 1.30pm to 3.30pm. Details: contact the Watford Palace Theatre participation team on 01923 810307, email participation@watfordpalacetheatre.co.uk, watfordpalacetheatre.co.uk