Millennium Forum: Junior casting call for 'The White Handkerchief'

Derry's Millennium Forum is staging a revival of the critically acclaimed 'The White Handkerchief'.

The production will be staged in January 2026 as part of the theatre's 25yh anniversary celebrations.

Originally created by the late Liam Campbell, Brian O’Doherty and Kieran Griffiths, 'The White Handkerchief' premiered to national acclaim as an elegy of theatre, music and movement, telling the stories of the fourteen who died on Bloody Sunday and the city they left behind.

The Millennium Forum is now holding auditions for the Youth Ensemble and various children’s roles.  

For the Youth Ensemble, the theatre is seeking young performers aged 16 and over to join the company.  These roles are ideal for emerging actors/singers from the North West who are eager to learn, gain experience and perform alongside some of the region’s leading theatre artists. 

The Forum is also casting for six children’s roles (4 boys and 2 girls), all under 11 years old.  These are small but vital roles within the production.  Applicants should be confident, reliable and comfortable with singing/movement in a group setting.

This is a unique opportunity to be part of a landmark production and work within a supportive professional environment whilst gaining invaluable training and experience. 

David McLaughlin, Chief Executive of the Millennium Forum, welcomes applications from anyone with a passion for acting within a musical.

He said: "I am excited to be bringing this stage revival to the city to coincide with the Bloody Sunday Anniversary and I’m very much looking forward to working with local director, Kieran Griffiths, to bring this poignant story to life on our stage. 

"These auditions offer a unique opportunity to be part of something very special and this revival invites performers to join together in carrying forward one of Derry’s proudest and most important artistic achievements.”

The first round of the selection process for the Youth Ensemble (16+) will require applicants to submit a self tape audition of around 60-90 seconds.  This can be either unaccompanied or with simple accompaniment. 

In addition, they must submit a bio, headshot plus any taped performance and provide details of their base location and any access needs. 

Applicants for the children’s roles (under 11) must submit a self tape to include a short song (no longer than one minute) plus a very short poem or spoken piece (maximum 30 seconds).  

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Full details of parents/guardians as well as age, height, school year and location must all be submitted with the initial application.

Applications must be sent to magsc@millenniumforum.co.uk no later than 5pm on Tuesday, October 21, 2025.

Recalls will be held in the Millennium Forum in Derry and final auditions will take place at the Forum on Tuesday, October 28, 2025. 

Rehearsals will run at the Millennium Forum from Monday, January 5 until Thursday, January  22, 2026 and the final performances from Friday, January 23 until Sunday, February 1, 2026.