THE search is on once again to find a new star performer from Glasgow. Last year the Evening Times teamed up with the Pavilion Theatre to find a panto star for the show The Wizard of Never Woz. And together we uncovered the diamond that is Kelly-Anne Reilly, from Clydebank.

Now, the hard task of finding a new Glasgow entertainer who can cut it at the highest level is to be repeated.

This year, the Pavilion will stage Pinocchio, a festive panto spectacle that will star Stephen Purdon, Dean Park, Joyce Falconer and Des McLean.

But one key character has yet to be cast - Lampwick. Lampwick is Pinocchio's best pal but he's something of a bad influence. He's a bit cheeky, laughs in the face of authority and seems determined to lead Pinocchio astray.

Now, the Pavilion want to find a Lampwick out there in Glasgow.

"Once again, we don't want to use a professional in the role," says Pavilion boss Iain Gordon.

"We want to run our own talent competition and give someone new to the business a real chance to make it in showbiz."

He added: "This is a real opportunity for the right person."

Last year hundreds of hopeful Dorothys turned up at the Pavilion auditions, some in gingham dresses and red shoes. After a series of voice and acting tests, Kelly-Anne was chosen.

The panto proved to be the theatre's most successful ever.

And the Pavilion hope for a similar response from young men who see their future on the stage.

Iain described the sort of performer he is looking for.

"Lampwick should be 18-22-years-old and from the Glasgow area. What we're looking for is a rock/pop voice, rather than a musical theatre voice.

"We're not looking for someone to sing the songs from Les Miserables, an operatic voice, we're looking for someone who can sing a Take That or Boyzone song."

He added: "He has to be a good all-rounder, able to sing, dance and act, and - this is really important - he has to have natural charisma, a real twinkle in his eye. And if he has any circus skills - juggling, unicycling, whatever - so much the better."

As well as introducing new faces to the audience, the Pavilion boss believes the panto has an added advantage over its city rivals.

"We've stayed away from the traditional pantos once again," he says.

"It's all too easy producing the likes of Cinderella and Aladdin but I think the public have become a wee bit fed up with the format.

"Last year, our Wizard success proved that Glasgow is looking for something a little bit different and now we're repeating that with Pinocchio.

"It's a great story. The original was a dark gothic tale about a boy who couldn't stop telling lies, and that was developed by Disney into the tale we know today.

"But the story works on lots of levels. It's a really good morality tale that kids can pick up on.

"And it makes for great panto. We've got lots of magical scenes such as the haunted woods, there is a school scene, and big production numbers performed by the villagers.

"It will be great fun to produce. And we've got a great cast. Des McLean, for example, was fantastic last year. The audiences loved his voices and I'm sure we can repeat the success." Hopeful Lampwicks should send a CV and a photo to the Pavilion Theatre, admin@paviliontheatre.co.uk 'I'd have her back at the drop of a hat!'

KELLY-ANNE REILLY, last year's winner of our search for a star, went on to star in a production of raunchy musical Rent.

She completed her degree in Political Studies at Strathclyde University and is currently studying at the Royal Scottish Academy of Music and Drama.

"I'd have her back at the drop of a hat," says Pavilion boss Iain Gordon of last year's Dorothy.

"She was sensational, a great talent, and just as importantly, great to work with." Stephen Purdon, Joyce Falconer, Des McLean and Derek Lord are among the performers our lucky winner will be starring alongside in this year's Pavilion panto