Hundreds of hopeful stage stars lined the pavement on Monday morning as auditions kicked off for 42nd Street in the West End.

The doors opened at London’s Theatre Royal Drury Lane on Monday, to an enormous queue of auditionees clad in sportswear, gym bags and make-up as they geared up for their chance to star in the capital’s latest production of the hit musical.

42nd Street auditions
People queue outside Theatre Royal Drury Lane in London as auditions opened for the musical 42nd Street (John Stillwell/PA)

Some brought hair rollers and tap shoes to get into character for the show, based on the 1933 Warner Brothers movie about an ambitious Broadway actress who finally gets her chance to take centre stage when a leading lady is injured.

The first leg of open auditions for the show invited performers to take part in group numbers on the stage after signing up.

First performed in 1980, 42nd Street is written by Michael Stewart and Mark Bramble – based on the novel by Bradford Ropes – with music composed by Harry Warren and lyrics by Al Dubin.