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BBC TWO - The Little Prince Opera

BBC Press Releases: Date: 25.06.2004: Category: Talent

Re: “THE LITTLE PRINCE” WHAT HAPPENS NEXT: June - Final auditions for singers who've made the shortlist, London August - Summer school for shortlist, London Aug/Sept - Soundtrack recording, London September - Filming, London (two weeks) Christmas - The Little Prince shown, BBC Two

BBC Talent announces young cast for The Little Prince opera…

BBC Talent today announced the lucky children selected to take part in the film production of the Little Prince due to air in the autumn on BBC TWO

Those chosen will also be invited to join BBC Talent's residential summer school at Sadlers Wells, London in August where they will learn their roles and receive expert tuition in vocal training and development, movement and dance skills and theatrical and film techniques.

Over 25,000 children applied online to take part in the BBC scheme with BBC Talent holding audition workshops across the UK in May and June of this year, seeing over 6,500 hopefuls.

The lead role of the Rose will be taken by Mairead Carlin, aged 15 from Londonderry, with 11-year-old Joseph McManners from Kent performing the role of the Prince.

Oscar winning composer Rachel Portman has adapted the classic French children's novel and Francesca Zambello, one of the world's foremost directors of opera and musical theatre, will direct. The cast of children will perform the opera of The Little Prince alongside soprano Lesley Garrett.

BBC Wales Music will film The Little Prince for BBC TWO. Blue Peter, CBBC's flagship show, will broadcast a special programme featuring the young singers training and following them as they deal with their first professional filming experience.

Angela Wallis, BBC Talent Executive producer in charge of casting says: "Each of the children selected will be in the perfect environment to explore and develop their individual talents and this entire project could give rise to a new generation of classical performers."

Full details of current BBC Talent schemes on bbc.co.uk/talent.