YORK company Pick Me Up Theatre will hold open auditions for performers aged 21 and under for this spring’s York premiere of Andrew Lloyd Webber and Tim Rice’s musical Evita.

Robert Readman’s production will run at the Joseph Rowntree Theatre from April 16 to 20, for which the first meeting will take place at The Hive, Manor School, on Monday, from 7pm.

Audition details are available by emailing robertreadman@hotmail.com

Anyone keen to be involved either as a performer or as part of the production team, but unable to attend the initial meeting, should email Robert for future dates.

The story of Evita follows the life of Argentine political leader Eva Peron, the second wife of President Juan Peron, from her early days, through her rise to power and her charity work, to her death from cancer at the age of 33.

Actors are required for the major roles of Eva, Che Guevara , Magaldi and Peron plus the ensemble of aristocrats, army generals, dressers and children and featured roles such as Eva’s mother, her three sisters, brother and five lovers.

Evita began as a rock opera concept album released in 1976, featuring Julie Covington and Barbara Dickson. Its success led to productions in London’s West End in 1978 and on Broadway the next year, before Madonna and Antonio Banderas starred in a film version in 1996. Ten years later, the musical was revived in London, featuring Elena Roger, the first Argentinean actress to play the title role. Ricky Martin played Che when it transferred to Broadway in 2011.

Lloyd Webber and Rice’s Tony-winning score is best known for Don’t Cry For Me Argentina, Another Suitcase In Another Hall, I’d Be Surprisingly Good For You and On This Night Of A Thousand Stars.

Tickets for the 7.30pm evening shows and 2.30pm Saturday matinee can be booked on 01904 623568.