Theatre lovers are being invited to join the judging panels of the Laurence Olivier Awards, and get the chance to see the best of what is on offer for free.

Ten members of the public are wanted to join professional judges for what are the Oscars of the British theatre world.

Applicants must be over 18 and live within easy access of London. Each must write a 150-word review of the best production they have seen this year and list all the shows they have seen in the last 12 months.

Candidates will be interviewed and the 10 chosen ones will spend the year from 1 January seeing dozens of shows.

There are separate judging panels for theatre, opera, dance and affiliate members of The Society of London Theatre - those outside the West End such as the Tricycle and Royal Court.

Peter Wilkins, chairman of the Olivier Awards Committee of The Society of London Theatre, which runs the event, said being a judge was a big commitment: "Everybody on the panel sees everything that has been proposed and that can be between 80 and 90 productions.

"Sometimes it bunches up to every night in the autumn. But for the people who apply and get chosen, they're getting for free tickets they would otherwise have paid for."

The society normally has between 150 and 200 applications. "We get people who have seen 100 shows - it's quite extraordinary," Mr Wilkins said.

Successful applicants will also get to attend the 2010 Olivier Awards.

• 

  Lenny Henry: 'Maybe one day we can have a black Doctor Who'

  As he wins the outstanding newcomer prize at the Evening Standard theatre awards for his role as Othello, Lenny Henry has come a long way from black and white minstrels

  ---

• 

  Spread of the Jedhead

  Jedward, voted off the X-Factor this weekend, are the most obvious proponents of the sticky-uppy look - but the style crosses boundaries of age, gender, sexuality and taste, says Nick Curtis

  ---

Sky in plot to hire students on the cheap

Sky News is currently recruiting students as reporters for its coverage of next year's general election. However, the opportunity doesn't quite seem so appealing

All stories