RELUCTANT young male actors are causing problems for producers of a youth theatre group's major summer musical.

County Durham-based Dionysis Theatre Company has held two sets of auditions for its planned production of 42nd Street.

But although there has been no shortage of talented young women coming forward to fill major roles and the chorus, there has been a lack of male talent.

The first audition attracted 160 young actors and dancers, but it included only four eligible young men in the company's 16 to 25 age bracket.

It resulted in all but one of the principal male parts remaining unfilled.

A second audition was held at the weekend, at Houghall College, near Durham, and while there was a slightly improved response, there is still a shortfall of male cast members.

Producer Peter Durkin said: "We have got a couple more parts filled and we have the name of someone else who plans to come for an audition, so we are slowly getting there, but it's proving difficult.

"There is still time, and we'll gladly speak to any male actor/dancer who might be interested. They just have to pick up the phone."

The show will be staged at Durham's Gala Theatre from August 24 to 27, and will be preceded by 11 days of intense rehearsals.

Anyone interested in taking part must be available between August 13 and 27.

For more details, contact Dionysis, on (01388) 420093.