PLEASE sir can I have some snore was the cry from the crowd... and the Essex Group will be providing it with their next production of Oliver.

The novel, by Charles Dickens, which was adapted into a musical, by Lionel Bart, will be performed by the Braintree based group with auditions available.

The Essex Group will perform at Witham Public Hall in February and need cast members for the show.

The cast is made up of people of all ages, most famous of course for the children’s roles of Oliver and the Artful Dodger, and ably supported by a gang of orphaned street urchins under the devious eye of Fagin the thief.

No previous experience of acting or singing is required and important roles are still available. The team of directors and coaches will walk people though the process over a seven week rehearsal programme.

A dozen young people will play orphans in the workhouse under the tyrannical eye of Mr Bumble who feeds them on gruel and puts them to work each day in the workhouse, and then moving on to play the street urchins who have been trained to pickpocket by the villainous Fagin and his protégé The Artful Dodger. Children aged from eight to 12 years old would be ideal for these roles.

The rehearsals take place at weekends, Saturday rehearsals are for children who are required for the orphan gang and Fagin’s gang, whilst Sundays are for the leading characters and adult/teen chorus.

For the chorus, people of all ages from the age of 13 upwards are required — some dance experience would be useful but not essential, as the directors will conduct sessions to give all the necessary training to those involved.

Anyone interested should get in touch with Ann Sullivan by email at ann@stageanbility.co.uk, or by calling her on 01376 567677.

The show itself will take place from February 21 to February 24 at Witham Public Hall.

To book tickets, priced from £14 to £16, call 01376 567677.

Alternatively, book online at tickets2c.co.uk. Tickets are also available from the Visitor Information Centre at Witham Town Hall.