THE Liverpool Empire’s Stage Experience project, that gives young people from the region the chance to take part in a full-scale musical production, is coming back next year.

Each summer, up to 120 talented teens from all over Merseyside get their chance to perform in a special show, with next year’s production just announced as Bugsy Malone.

It will follow on from previous successes Summer Holiday and The Wiz.

Bugsy Malone is a tongue-in-cheek look at gangsters in the Prohibition era, packed with riotous musical numbers, larger-than-life characters and, unforgettably, splurge guns.

The 1976 musical film starring Jodie Foster and Scott Baio still remains a popular family choice today.

After two weeks of intensive rehearsals during the school summer holidays, the young cast will perform in four shows from August 6 to 8.

As well as the cast, 13 local teenagers interested in behind-the-scenes theatrical work will undertake technical placements.

The young people will be supported throughout the project by a professional director, choreographer, musical director and technical team. The project fee is £150, which includes two weeks’ professional tuition.

Young people wanting to participate must complete an application form (downloadable from www.liverpoolempire.org.uk) and return it with four passport-sized photos and two SAEs with £1.20 postage to: Stage Experience, Liverpool Empire, Lime Street, Liverpool, L1 1JE.

All application forms and passport photos must be received on or before February 20, 2009.

Applicants must be aged between 11-21, and auditions and technical interviews take place in March.

FOR more information, e-mail the Empire’s education and community department at education.lempire@livenation.co.uk or call 0151 708 3202.