A rallying call has gone out for young people to star in a rock opera debut show staged by a new drama group.

Jesus Christ Superstar will be the first ever production of the new musical theatre youth group being set up at Great Yarmouth's St George's Theatre.

Auditions for actors, singers and dancers, aged 14 to 25, will be held on Sunday, December 10 at the Drill House in York Road at 10am. The show will be staged at St George's from April 11-13 next year.

Director Nick Ball, who is programme leader for performing arts at East Coast College, said: 'This is a brilliant opportunity for young people to get involved in an innovative production of a great musical with a modern feel in a venue which is different to school and community halls. We will be using the whole of St George's including its balconies and arches.'

He is hoping to enlist the help of actor and musician members from the London version of the show.

Jesus Christ Superstar tells the story of the last week of Jesus' life and includes hits such as Superstar and I Don't Know How to Love Him.

It was written by Tim Rice and Andrew Lloyd Webber initially as a rock opera 'concept album' in 1970, then launched as a stage show the following year and adapted into a film in 1973 and 2000. A recent stage version included DJ Chris Moyles, former Spice Girl Mel C and Ben Foster who won a TV talent show to land the part of Jesus.

Theatre director Debbie Thompson said: 'This is a really exciting show to launch our new musical theatre youth group. St George's, as a former church, is a fitting venue and we will make full use of our iconic building.

'Having access to West End performers is a real bonus for the young people who join our group – but we are also looking for behind-the-scenes crew too, dealing with scenery, props, lighting, sound, make-up and costumes.'

Principal roles include: Jesus, Pontius Pilate, Herod, Mary Magdelene, Judas Iscariote, apostles Peter and Simon, and some 'soul girls.'

Those attending auditions are asked to be dressed to move around and bring a passport photo of themselves, plus their height measurement in centimetres.

Hopefuls aiming for a lead role-should prepare an appropriate song – either from Jesus Christ Superstar or a similar rock opera.