Lloyd-Webber Seeks New 'Dorothy'

Following the success of How Do you Solve A Problem Like Maria?, I'd Do Anything and Any Dream Will Do, the BBC has announced the commission of The Wizard of Oz, which will search for a girl and a dog to play Dorothy and Toto in the forthcoming Andrew Lloyd Webber West End production.
The show will once again reunite Lord Lloyd-Webber with host Graham Norton.
Lord Lloyd-Webber, 61, said: "Our previous musical talent searches have provided an incredible shot in the arm for musical theatre in Britain and I can't wait to work with the BBC again in the hunt for Dorothy - an iconic role of course made famous by a young Judy Garland in the film in 1939, but, as a cat man myself, however, I approach casting Toto with considerable trepidation."
BBC One Controller, Jay Hunt, who commissioned the show, said: "The Wizard of Oz is one of the great musicals and I am sure BBC One audiences will delight in having a front row seat in the casting of a new musical star."
The search for Dorothy will begin with auditions in several UK cities in early 2010. Judges are yet to be announced.
The show will transmit in 2010 and will be made by Talkback Thames.
(KMcA/GK)