Yahoo News Let it Shine: Gary Barlow and the BBC want you to #takepart
Gary Barlow will search for stars of a nationwide Take That musical in an exciting new BBC Saturday night entertainment show.
Called Let it Shine after one of Take That’s biggest hits, the prolific singer-songwriter will be joined by three mentors each week of the eight week run, as they search for people who “exude the charisma, showmanship and stage presence” of Take That. Barlow said:
“Back in 1989, we were just a group of normal guys from Manchester who came together. The secret to our success was that each of us brought something different to the group and that the five of us had real chemistry.
"Now with Let It Shine we’re looking for people from all walks of life to form another unique group who can recreate that magic. If you think you’ve got what it takes, we want to see it!”
The irrepressible Graham Norton and The Great British Bake Off’s Mel Giedroyc will team up to co-present, which is a brilliant pairing of two funny, warm characters who’ll ramp up the entertainment value. Norton said:
“The combination of the BBC, everyone’s favourite band and Saturday nights made this an offer I simply couldn’t refuse. If I wasn’t a part of Let It Shine, I know I would be watching it at home - this way I just get the best seat in the house.”
BBC Controller, Charlotte Moore, said they hope the show “will bring families together to celebrate Britain’s love of musical theatre, combining singing, performance and dance in a hotly contested search to find a new group.”
The show will film between September 2016 and early 2017, and will likely air in the time slot vacated by The Voice.
The BBC has previously held television auditions to find Maria (Connie Fisher) in How Do We Solve a Problem Like Maria, Dorothy (Danielle Hope) in Over the Rainbow, Joseph (Lee Mead) in Any Dream Will Do and Nancy (Jodie Prenger) and Oliver (Gwion Jones/Harry Stott/Laurence Jeffcoate) in I’d Do Anything.
Let It Shine is not after lookalikes but males who can sing and move as well as the original five band members. The new musical will feature the music of Take That and open in September 2017, with a nationwide tour to follow.
Auditions around the country will take place in July and August 2016, and Equity rules apply. To take part or nominate someone, visit the website here.
A Take That 25th anniversary album and tour will also take place in 2017, with rumours that Robbie Williams may rejoin the band to celebrate, although the return of Jason Orange is unlikely.
Formed in 1990, the band hit the top 10 two years later with their cover of It Only Takes a Minute and went on to become the biggest boy band in the world. After a split in 1996, they reunited for a tour in 2006 and then began making albums again. Having left the group in 1995, Williams returned briefly in 2010 for the Progress album and tour.
