Is your pet pooch is the canine equivalent of Luciano Pavarotti or Maria Callas? Do they have star quality like Leonardo DiCaprio or Meryl Streep?

If you think so, they could win a place in the spotlight in the romantic opera La Boheme, coming to the Watford Colosseum on March 15.

Award-winning opera director and producer Ellen Kent, from the Opera and Ballet International, says: “People say never work with children or animals but I love to do both.

“The first time was 20-years-ago when my pet cat Holly Go-Lightly was in one of my productions and was an instant hit. Since then we’ve had horses, dogs, goldfish and even a golden eagle with a 6ft wingspan on stage.

“Many years ago when we last did La Boheme and asked local people to volunteer their pets it was a huge success. We even used a rescue dog once and found him dozens of possible new owners. We’re a nation of animal lovers after all. I’m sure there is plenty of doggie talent out there.”

For the chance to see your dog on stage he or she needs to be well behaved and small – and as his owner, you will need to be prepared to go onstage in costume to look after him or her.

Puccini’s masterpiece, La Boheme, is based on Henri Murger’s novel Scenes de la vie de boheme. Set in Paris, it focuses on the love between seamstress Mimi and poet Rodolfo.

This classic tale of Parisian love and loss features many famous arias including Your Tiny Hand is Frozen, They Call Me Mimi and Musetta’s Waltz.

To audition your dog, send a photograph to Jules Bath at jules@ellenkent.co.uk. Include your contact number and address as well as the breed, height, weight, age and name of your dog.