Producers seek to fill the boots of Everton legend Dixie Dean

Mar 20 2008 by Tina Miles

COULD you fill the boots of one of the world’s greatest goal scorers?

Auditions for would-be Dixie Deans to play the Everton and England football legend in a new stage show got under way today.

Producers of The Dixie Dean Story are searching for an actor who can fill the iconic centre forward’s boots.

They are spending a month trying out prospective Dixies – men who are between 30 and 35 years old and have good control of a football – to star in the production.

The Dixie Dean Story will celebrate William Ralph "Dixie" Dean’s all-time record of 60 League goals in one season.

The play, written and narrated by Dixie’s biographer, John Keith, is being produced by Gill Beattie of Aintree-based Arts2u theatre company.

Gill said: "The play tells the story of Dixie’s life and career, from his Birkenhead roots to his glory days with Everton and England. We're now starting auditions to find the right actor to play Dixie through his life.

"The age range we’re looking for is between 30 and 35 and, at the risk of stating the obvious, he must have the ability to control a football."

The hunt follows a similar quest last month to find an actor to play legendary football manager Bill Shankly.

Writer Andrew Sherlock tried out dozens of actors and supporters who auditioned in the hope of being cast in An Audience With Shankly.

They were given the first few pages of the play to read out and asked to perform as if they were in front of thousands of fans at the Kop.

Andrew said: "There were a couple of local actors, and a couple of football supporters who just fancied having a go. It was a great day, we had great fun and met some real characters.

"We have found our Bill Shankly – we have narrowed it down to two people, but are not in a position to announce it yet."

The Dixie Dean Story will have its premiere at Crosby Civic theatre on Bank Holiday Monday, May 5 – 80 years to the day since Dixie’s hat-trick against Arsenal in 1928 set his untouchable record.

FACTS

The production will run for three performances at Crosby Civic theatre.

The curtain goes up at 7.30pm on Monday, May 5, and there will be two further performances, a matinee and an evening show, on Tuesday, May 6.

Tickets, priced £10 in the evening and £7.50 for the matinee, are on sale at the Crosby theatre or by logging on to www.dixiedean.org.uk

Actors should forward their CVs to gill.beattie@arts2ulimited.com or call 0151-284 7067.

Auditions will be taking place from today Thursday, March 20 until mid-April, with rehearsals starting on Friday, April 25.