Fermanagh is meeting the West End as Tim Rice and Andrew Lloyd Webber launch their first musical to amateur stages across the region.

Rice and Lloyd Webber are teaming up with the National Operatic and Dramatic Association (NODA) and Lloyd Webber's The Really Useful Group to offer local actors the chance to audition for the musical, a lost gem written over 40 years ago by the award-winning composers.

Although written in 1965, The Likes of Us has only been performed twice – instead Rice and Lloyd Webber moved on to global hits such as Joseph, Evita and Jesus Christ Superstar. However, it was never forgotten and now with the support of NODA and The Really Useful Group is being released to amateur theatres to find shining stars across the region prior to its professional release.

Tony Gibbs, chief executive of NODA, said: "The Likes of Us is truly unique and we're delighted that actors across the region will be able to perform it. This is a case of professional and amateur theatre coming together and it is my sincere hope that this will establish a new way of working in the theatre for years to come."

Gibbs added: "The Likes of Us is a once in a lifetime opportunity. The content means that there are roles for adults as well as young people. I would encourage anyone interested in theatre, from acting to stage design, to contact their local amateur theatre group and get involved."

The musical, which chronicles the life of Dr. Thomas Barnardo, was created when a 17 year old Lloyd Webber received a letter from then 21 year old Rice offering himself as a "with-it writer", and there their winning partnership was born. The musical also contains the first couplet Rice ever wrote to Lloyd Webber's music: Here I have a lovely parrot sound in wind and limb, I can guarantee that there is nothing wrong with him. The Likes of Us will be available to theatre groups from September with performances commencing in early Spring 2009.