Aspiring young Burnley performers get chance to win a place at prestigious theatre school

The Andrew Lloyd Webber scholarship is being launched at Liverpool Theatre School, where Burnley's own rising star, Brandon Incles, is currently in the final year of a diploma in professional musical theatre.

The bursary has been set up to help gifted young performers who may struggle to afford the fees of professional training, which can cost around £36,000.

The Andrew Lloyd Webber Foundation was set up by Andrew in 1992 to promote the arts, culture and heritage for the public benefit; since inception Andrew has been the principal provider of funding for all its charitable activities.

In 2010, the Foundation embarked on an active grant giving programme and has now awarded grants of over £18m to support high quality training and personal development as well as other projects that make a real difference to enrich the quality of life both for individuals and within local communities.

The first round of auditions, open to young people over 16, will take place on Sunday, April 22nd at Liverpool Theatre School.

Top West End casting director, David Grindrod, who worked alongside Andrew Lloyd Webber on TV shows Any Dream Will Do and Over the Rainbow, will be involved in making the final selection on the basis of merit and financial circumstances.

Maxine Ellis, Principal at Liverpool Theatre School, whose alumni have appeared in world class shows from the West End to Broadway, said: “There is no bigger name in musical theatre than Andrew Lloyd Webber and to win a scholarship set up by the man himself will be a fantastic start to any young performer’s career.

“We are also very excited about working with David Grindrod. As one of the West End’s most well respected casting directors, his reputation for spotting raw talent is second to none. This really is a life changing opportunity and I would urge all gifted young performers to come along to the auditions.”

Leading casting director, David Grindrod, who has worked on Andrew Lloyd Webber’s musicals since the 1990s, said: “During the auditions, I will be on the look out for a rising star who can demonstrate the right level of skill, ambition and enthusiasm to work in the industry.

“I am really looking forward to uncovering some real talent that can be nurtured and developed over the course of the next three years.”

Liverpool Theatre School is just one of 10 stage schools in the country to offer the Andrew Lloyd Webber Foundation scholarship. The bursary, worth more than £12,000 a year over three years, will cover the fees of a full-time Trinity College London diploma in professional musical theatre.

Liverpool Theatre School was established in 1939 and attracts students from across the country and abroad. It specialises in professional musical theatre and acting, offering the Trinity College London Diplomas in both Musical Theatre and Professional Acting.

More than 90 percent of Liverpool Theatre School graduates have achieved success in musical theatre or progressed to higher education.

For more information visit www.liverpooltheatreschool.co.uk for further information and to register for an audition for the Andrew Lloyd Webber Foundation scholarship.