Wanted: hairy footed hobbits for stage musical

London producers of The Lord of the Rings are seeking 20 performers to play Hobbits in the stage musical adaptation of J.R.R. Tolkien's fantasy saga.

Male and female candidates should be between 16 and 35, able to act and sing and be less than 1.7m tall in bare feet. As for those feet, "hairy toes and feet are a distinct advantage", the casting call notice said.

The musical opens in London next June.