Rowntree Players are holding pantomime auditions for Dick Whittington on Sunday, September 14 at Joseph Rowntree School, Haxby Road, York.

Junior chorus auditions for nine year olds and upwards start at 2pm; auditions for character parts and senior chorus roles follow at 3pm. Anyone keen to audition is welcome to attend a read-through at the school tonight at 7.30pm.

Written by Norman Robbins, Dick Whittington runs at Joseph Rowntree Theatre, York, from December 9 to 13, and more audition information is available from director Eileen Lavender on 01904 468476.

The Players' programme for 2003-2004 opens with Doris Yorke's production of the Neil Simon comedy Rumours from October 16 to 18. Next year, Frank Higgins directs Patrick Hamilton's spooky Gaslight, March 4 to 6, and Shirley Patrick will be the director for Oliver Goldsmith's genial comedy of manners, She Stoops To Conquer, May 13 to 15.

In the Players' awards ceremony for 2002-2003, the William Wallace trophy has been presented to two actors: Martyn Hunter, for his role of Willy Mossop in Hobson's Choice, and Gareth Wardell, for Algernon in The Importance Of Being Earnest.

Updated: 09:49 Friday, September 12, 2003