C4 plans 'theatre idol' show

Tickets go on sale today for the winning play in a new Channel 4 reality show. Under the working title The Play's The Thing, the production will be staged at the West End's New Ambassadors Theatre in June. But customers will have no idea who is in it or what it is about.

The show aims to find the best new work by a first-time playwright. The winner has been selected from over 2,000 submissions by a judging panel of producer Sonia Friedman, actor Neil Pearson and literary agent Mel Kenyon.

As well as documenting the winning entry's selection and rehearsals, the four-part TV series will cover its opening night and subsequent commercial and critical reception. Previews start on 10 June. For tickets call 0870 060 6627. The Channel 4 series begins on 12 June.