STARS of the future have been chosen to tread the boards in a play which celebrates the power of music and the human spirit.

More than 30 youngsters auditioned to appear in Brassed Off, which will end its tour at the Octagon Theatre, Bolton, from May 15 to June 14.

Three pairs were picked to play the roles of eight-year-old Craig and five-year-old Melody in the production, based on a true story and the 1996 film.

Jasmine de Goede and James Scowcroft, Lily Newns and Adam Tyerman, and Logan Ernill and Elsie Difalco told of their delight at landing the parts following the auditions.

Ladybridge Primary School pupil Jasmine, aged eight, form Heaton, who goes to Stagecoach theatre classes, said: “I was really happy, I just really wanted to do it.”

Canon Slade School pupil James, aged 12, from Farnworth, said he was happy to land the part after appearing in last year’s festive show, Robin Hood, and would like to do more acting work. He added: “It was really fun.”

Speaking of the audition, Euxton St Mary’s Primary School pupil Lily, aged five, who lives in Buckshaw Village, Chorley, said: “I had to tell them what I was going to be when I grow up.

“I said: Elsa, the princess from (Disney film) Frozen.”

St Matthew's Primary School pupil Adam, aged eight, from Little Lever, said: “I go to the Octagon youth club. I did Robin Hood last time and really liked it and wanted to carry on.”

Logan, aged eight, from Ladybridge, who has appeared in Christmas shows at Beaumont Primary School, added: “I felt excited to be on stage.”

And Devonshire Road Primary School pupil Elsie, aged eight, from Heaton, said attending the audition was fun.

She added: “We had to pretend we were arguing over a teddy.”

Set in 1992, the miners are on strike, the colliery is about to close and conductor Danny’s hopes of winning the national brass band competition at the Albert Hall in London seem like a distant dream.

But the arrival of flugelhorn-playing Gloria brings romance, hope and controversy to a Yorkshire brass band on the brink of collapse.

Lisa O’Neill-Rogan, associate director at the Octagon Theatre, said: “They’re non-speaking parts but the children are in quite a few scenes and they have quite a bit to do in those scenes.

“They will spend a week in rehearsals with us.

“A lot of it was based on confidence, movement and most of it was based on how they look because we need a five and an eight-year-old.

“It’s a great experience, especially if they’re interested in acting.

“We have a history of doing that here anyway, not just with the festive show but David Thacker, our artistic director, has had children in The Winslow Boy and Macbeth and we do try and cast from the young people we work with.”