THE Phoenix Theatre Company are holding an open reading of a new play it proposes performing in April next year.

The reading of 'Beautiful For Ever' is being held on Wednesday, September 11 at the Phoenix Theatre in in Palace Pound, Ross-on-Wye from 7.30pm with open auditions being staged on Sunday, October 6 at 2pm. It is planned that the public performances will be held in April next year.

The play has been written by the team that brought Venice Revisited to the stage in 2023 to such critical acclaim.

The musical concerns Madame Sarah Rachel Leverson, who, in the late nineteenth century, rose from a poor street seller by fair means and foul, to setting up her own exclusive shop in London’s West End selling quack potions and lotions to the gentry, who would pay any price to keep their good looks (or at least, cover up all their blemishes) and so stay ‘Beautiful For Ever’.

But it’s not all is at it seems at the premises

There are great character and singing roles to be had: including the madame herself: a dominant figure and formidable businesswoman; her two talented daughters.

At the reading, there will be a chance to hear all the songs as the show’s composer, Richard Watson, will be there to talk through all aspects of the show.

Whether you fancy yourself on stage, or as part of the crew; whether a seasoned performer or new to the stage, come along to hear all about this original, vibrant show brought to the stage by the Phoenix Theatre.

This is an open reading: all are welcome to come along and all will be welcome at the auditions which will also be held at the theatre.

● The Phoenix Theatre clinched top honours at the West Midlands National Operatic and Dramatic Association for two of its performances in 2023.'Murder in Company', by winning Best Drama, while the group’s summer concert 'Anything Goes’ was awarded the Best Concert. The company also received a nomination for Best Musical for 'Venice Revisited', a musical based on Shakespeare's The Merchant of Venice.