BollyIdol, the national talent search for young people interested in Bollywood-style theatre enters is back for a second year starting this week.

In a format similar to last year, the aim of the project is to find new talent to work in future theatre productions. It will be supported by Channel 4 this year.

Last year the winners starred in the play Precious Bazaar, also launched by the organisers of BollyIdol - Phizzical Productions. This year a new dance-drama titled Pagal is in development.

Producer and Artistic Director Samir Bhamra says BollyIdol has come back because of the "huge response" they received after the first time. "You can imagine how surprised we were when we received over 500 applications, a couple even coming from Denmark, Canada, and USA."

After heats all over the country and intense competition between the aspiring finalists, the winners of last year's BollyIdol were then prepared for theatre.

Three months of rehearsals followed and Precious Bazaar finally premiered in April last year at the Y theatre in Leicester.

"The winners finally tasted the feeling of being on stage. Backstage, there were nerves and tears, but the show goes on, and it did! After performing at Watermans in May 2004, the winners continued to tour nationwide," says Samir.

The winners were trained in all aspects of theatre. From vocal expressions to facial expressions; body toning to characterisation; inner personalities to outer mannerisms.

"Every theatre is different and with BollyIdol, you get an opportunity to perform at some of the most incredible stages in the country e.g. City Varieties Music Hall in Leeds where Charlie Chaplin and Harry Houdini had once performed," he adds.

Most of last year's winners developed and honed their skills he says, and some have gone on to do other work in the media industry.

Despite the hardship and financial difficulties of producing Precious Bazaar last year, Samir remains determined. "Phizzical Productions is organising BollyIdol again, because talented Asian people need to shine on stage," he says.


Places up for grabs:
Performance
For lead roles the applicant must be exceptional in at least two of Acting, Singing & Dancing. For supporting roles, the applicant will be exceptional in dance.

For the audition pieces, the actors must prepare a 90-second dance and select a 90-second dialogue piece from a Hindi film and enact it in either English or Hindi. Actors can prepare an optional 60-second singing piece also.

Technical
Set design
Submit a series of sketches or designs of how you would depict a mental institution on stage. Your design should include three distinct areas: a ward, an office and a village. Consider what materials you would need to make this set and give an approximate costing.

Costume Design
Submit a proposal for a male and female costume on the theme 80's Superstar. You must include illustrations and may provide additional information such as fabric swatches, colour schemes, and details on how you would make the costume.

Song Writing
Submit lyrics and details of the score on the theme Pagal. The song should be predominantly in English. The song will be produced under the guidance of a music producer and may be sung by members of the cast. You may submit the song on CD with a hard copy of the lyrics.

Choreography
Submit a video describing new choreography to any of the following songs:
Kahin Deep Jale Kahin Dil - Bees Saal Baad
Makhmali Ye Badan - Road
Makkhan Malai - Main Madhuri Dixit Banna Chahti Hoon
The video must show how the leads and backing dancers would perform and not be any longer than 5 minutes. You may include a written explanation on the stylisation of the dance.

Full details are available on their website: www.phizzical.com