AROUND 250 budding stars of the stage showed off their skills to a panel of theatre industry experts yesterday.

They were put through their paces by chief executive Michael Ockwell and team as they auditioned for this year’s Mayflower Summer Youth Project.

Dozens of 11 to 18-year-olds have now been signed up for the project, which is taking to the road this summer as The Lion King takes centre stage at the theatre.

This year’s project, which follows the inaugural production of Bugsy Malone last summer, will be a compilation of musicals and will take place in a temporary theatre in the city centre as part of Southampton’s 50th anniversary celebrations.

Youngsters will soon begin rehearsing numbers from Les Miserables, Oliver, Guys & Dolls, Me & My Girl and one more yet to be announced musical hit.

The auditions were held at the Carnival Academy in Southampton’s West Quay Road, which will again be donated for rehearsal use throughout the summer.