Could you be Dorothy? Northampton’s The Old Savoy announces open auditions for festive pantomime

The Northampton venue is looking for a performer to take on the iconic role in its 2026 festive production of The Wizard of Oz, which will run over the Christmas season.

Applicants must be aged 18 or over by July 31, 2026, but should be able to convincingly portray a character aged between 16 and 22.

The theatre is also asking for performers with strong acting and singing abilities, a passion for live performance, and at least two years’ stage experience.

Those auditioning must be no taller than 5ft 4in and should be comfortable working with dogs, with the theatre saying applicants should preferably be free from dog allergies.

Performers must also be available on August 6 and November 21, as well as throughout the production period, which runs from November 25 to December 28, 2026.

The first stage of the audition process will involve a self-tape submission. Applicants are being asked to send a short introduction, explain why they would be the ideal choice to play Dorothy, and include a showreel demonstrating their acting and singing ability.

They must also perform the classic song Somewhere Over the Rainbow.

Self-tapes should be sent to [email protected] by no later than June 30, 2026.

Successful applicants will be notified by July 5 and invited to attend an in-person audition on July 12.

At the audition, candidates will be asked to perform two songs of their choice to showcase their vocal range, sing Somewhere Over the Rainbow, deliver a two-minute monologue, and perform a self-choreographed dance routine.

A spokesperson for The Old Savoy Theatre said the venue was excited to discover the performer who would bring Dorothy’s “courage, warmth and sense of adventure” to life on stage this Christmas.

For further information, email [email protected].