WAWWA - The Musical Theatre is young, ultra-liberal in its ethos and prolific in its output.

Over the last eight years - for most of which time it was known as We Are What We Are - it has become one of the most successful musical theatre groups in South Wales, providing a steady stream of talent to the London stage and provincial theatre.

But, says Jay Coleman, WAWWA's founder, there is a problem. "To a large extent we are victims of our own success. People join for a while and them go to university to take a degree in the performing arts and then take off to other parts of the country.

"Alternatively, people get jobs in the professional theatre. Jonathan Williams,one of our patrons is currently playing Enjorlas in Les Miserables, Lawrence Hayes is in touring theatre, Barry Dodd has been appointed entertainments officer for P and O Ferries and Anthony Frazer is in Starlight Express which is playing in Germany.

"We've been hugely successful in getting women to join us but we desperately need more men.

"Anyone - absolutely anyone - can join on the condition that they have a presence, are prepared to put in the work in rehearsals and have a decent voice. We have had some auditions already and have had to turn some people away.

"It's not something you want to do but recruitment can never be at the expense of standards."

WAWWA first took root in the mind of Jay Coleman in 1997 while he was considering what sort of local response could be made to a charitable appeal. Any contribution was bound to involve the stage.

"I've been involved at the Dolman and elsewhere since the age of 12 and I'm now 36. It was obvious to me that putting my head together with those of a few friends might come up with some good ideas.

"I booked Mount Pleasant Hall in Pontnewydd through Torfaen council and nine people turned up. There was an immediate buzz. We talked around the problem until somebody got on the piano and we did a couple of harmonies and some warm-ups.

"At that moment We Are What We Are was born. The name incidentally, is from a song in the show La Cage aux Folles."

He said anyone who thinks they have the right voice and stage presence can turn up at the Mount Pleasant Hall in Pontnewydd, Cwmbran, after 4 pm on Sunday.

WAWWA - The Musical Theatre website is www.WAWWA.co.uk Mr Coleman can be reached at 01495 774085 or 0788 1934296.