THE woman masterminding the first ‘Oxford Musical’ says she hopes to emulate Andrew Lloyd Webber and turn some home grown talent into ‘stars’.

Tracey Spokes, the founder and creative director of the 13th Theatre Co – which integrates disabled and non-disabled actors – aims to put on Oxford the Musical in 2012, the Olympic year.

It is Ms Spokes’ biggest community project to date.

She hopes to sign up four professional singers and the Anjali Dance Company from Banbury, but will create the rest of the cast from local people.

Ms Spokes, who lives in Oxford, said: “The musical will be in Oxford and about Oxford.

“At the moment, people come into Oxford in the summer to see the colleges and the beautiful sights, but Oxford is so diverse and I want people to learn about all of that.

“Not just academia, but also the Cowley Road, the factories – all set to music.”

“In 2011 we will be putting together the cast and I want to get the community on board.

“I’m sure there will be some great performers out there, children and adults, some with a little acting experience and some with none at all.”

Providing the music for the show is the 68-year-old, Headington-based composer Beatrix Forbes.

Mrs Forbes recently released her first album, Oxford & Beyond, which was inspired by her journeys to places throughout the county, such as Port Meadow and Blenheim Palace. She said she was delighted to be involved.

She added: “I’m so excited about being involved.

“Writing music about Oxford will be a joy and I know the show will be a terrific success.”