Youth of Banbury Operatic Society to host Taster Day for its next production

Banbury’s multi-award winning youth drama company is looking for anyone aged 11 to 19 with a passion for performing to join in the production of 'In the Heights'.

The Taster Day for 'In the Heights' takes place on Sunday March 15 at Christopher Rawlins Primary School from 2 to 6pm.

With a film adaption being released later this year and music by Lin-Manuel Miranda (Hamilton, Moana), YOBOS is looking for anyone aged 11 to 19 to join them for this revolutionary musical.

The event costs £5 and no previous experience is required. Visit the YOBOS website, www.YOBOS.co.uk, for more information about the show and the group.

The group saw nearly 50 young people - on and off stage - from the local area stage a sell-out production of '42nd Street' last year.

YOBOS is a non-profit group created in 2003, as an exciting musical theatre project giving young people in the Banbury and North Oxfordshire area a taste of what it’s like to be in a West End style musical production.

Run by a group of experienced and talented volunteers, YOBOS’ high quality productions have resulted in them gaining national recognition, with the group winning the NODA Flame Award for ‘Inspirational Contribution to the Pursuit of Excellence in Theatre and Enhancement of the Overall Theatrical Experience’ multiple times.

YOBOS members have also gone on to top UK Drama Schools as well as starring in productions across the country including lead roles in London’s West End.

'In the Heights' boasts a wide array of characters that appeal to both male and female performers.

With a comedic script and a fantastic score, the show premiered on Broadway in 2008 where it won multiple Tony Awards.

The show was the first big hit by theatrical royalty Lin-Manuel Miranda, who went on to star in Mary Poppins Returns as Jack and create and star in the smash hit musical, Hamilton.

Featuring the same musical styles of Hamilton, 'In the Heights' is a modern musical filled with Rap, R&B and Hip Hop.

The musical tells a captivating story about what it means to chase your dreams as you cling to your roots, whilst celebrating the community from which you grew.

The team are excited about getting started on this thrilling and challenging musical and want anyone with a passion for performing to join YOBOS this summer.

Luke Wetherill, who returns to YOBOS for his fourth year as director, said: “The vision and style of this musical is something that Banbury has not seen before.

“We stage the musical at Banbury’s Wykham Theatre in one intensive week in the summer holidays and the results have always been outstanding – know one believes we can achieve what we do in one week.

The Taster Day is a chance for anyone aged 11 to 19 to come along, meet the team, pick up audition pieces, take part in group activities and learn all about our exciting vision for In the Heights.

"There is really something for everyone in this musical and, with the movie adaption due to come out the day before we start YOBOS Week, the musical is about to become the must-see show of the year."