A PUP with a penchant for performing is needed to star in a travelling production of John Steinbeck's classic drama Of Mice and Men.

The Touring Consortium Theatre Company and Birmingham Repertory Theatre will be bringing to play the life at the Oxford Playhouse from May 10 to 14, but are still without a dog to take on a starring role.

Producer Matthew Gale said the hound would have big paws to fill after original show dog, Badger, passed away just before rehearsals started.

He said: "Unfortunately Badger passed away at the age of 17 and so we decided to do something a bit fun, by having a completely different dog for each city we travel to.

"For our visit to Oxford, we need it to have the appearance of an elderly, working dog but it can be of any breed or size.

"So far we've had a Lurcher, a Labrador and a Collie so we're not fussy about the breed, they've just got to have a calm temperament and be happy to be away from their owners for their 10 to 15 minutes on stage.

"In saying that, it cannot be a handbag dog, though."

The novel published in 1937 tells the story of two displaced migrant ranch workers who move from place to place in California in search of new job opportunities during the Great Depression in the United States.

Mr Gale said owners wanting to bring their dogs along to the audition at 2.30pm on April 11 need not teach their pets any extravagant tricks.

He said: "It's not like they're entering Britain's Got Talent or anything like that, so I don't need to see them really perform as such.

"I'll get the owners to walk their dog up and down in front of me so I can gauge their general look and then I will take them aside and see how they are when they're away from their owners."

Mr Gale said his company would be paying the dog's owners £300 in expenses to bring their dog to the theatre and would encourage anyone from across Oxfordshire to bring their pet along to the audition.

He said: "We are all dog lovers here and we're all really looking forward to the run in Oxfordshire.

"You never know, it could be the start of an illustrious career for them and the dog."

To find out more about auditioning your dog, contact Janice Taylor by emailing janice@touringconsortium.com