Great Yarmouth Bad Girls are looking for a man ...

Anthony CarrollAt first glance they seem ready for their gritty musical portraying life in a women's prison.But the female cast of Bad Girls face a problem that even seasoned jail breakers would find difficult to solve - a lack of men.Anthony Carroll

At first glance they seem ready for their gritty musical portraying life in a women's prison.

But the female cast of Bad Girls face a problem that even seasoned jail breakers would find difficult to solve - a lack of men.

The female Great Yarmouth College performing arts students desperately need to find a man to play the role of callous prison warden Jim Fenner as there are no male students on their course.

About 30 girls are rehearsing for the musical Bad Girls, based on the hit ITV prison series, but without a male actor they are finding it hard to relate their parts to the role of the killer and abusive warden.

The clock is ticking on the college to find a suitable actor for the role as the hard hitting musical is due to be performed at Yarmouth's Hippodrome Circus in June to mark the end of the girls' time at the college.

It is hoped that a man with ambitions of taking to the stage will make a break for the college every Monday and Tuesday to join the rehearsals.

The character of Fenner is described as a man who likes to run things in Larkhall prison his own way rather than by the book and he will use whatever means necessary to do so.

As well as capturing the essence of the evil warden, anyone interested in the role will have to show off their singing talents in musical numbers such as Jailcraft and the Key.

Performing arts lecturer Nick Ball said it was the first time in at least 10 years that there had been no male students on the performing arts course.

Because of the lack of any male students, Mr Ball had chosen Bad Girls for the college's annual performance but never thought he would end up struggling to fill the role of the manipulative Fenner.

So far Mr Ball has been reading out the character's lines during rehearsals.

Mr Ball said: 'Having a hole in the cast like this has never happened to me before. The girls are doing well but they really need a male actor to react to.'

Abbie Spooner, 18, and who plays the role of police killer Nikki Wade, said: 'We need someone to bounce off during rehearsals. It is a bit worrying obviously that no one is playing the part of Fenner.'

Fellow student Casey Wright, 18 and who plays wing governor Helen Stewart, said that the lack of a male actor was an 'obstacle'.

Anyone who wants to play the role of Fenner in Bad Girls and who is free for rehearsals on Mondays and Tuesdays should call Mr Ball on 07746 142060 or email n.ball@gyc.ac.uk