They say never work with children or animals, but Opera Australia has put out a call for Sydney’s pampered Poochinis to make their operatic debut in this year’s Handa Opera on Sydney Harbour, La Bohème, which opens on Friday.

Opera Australia is putting out a call for the next doggie diva. Photo © Prudence Upton

Director Andy Morton is hoping to set the Parisian scene with a small to medium-size dog (poodles, poodle-crosses and French bulldogs preferred) prancing across the stage at each performance. Sydney’s dog owners will be able to register their pet for one of HOSH’s 26 shows, scoring two complimentary tickets for themselves.

Does your dog have what it takes to be a star like Cherry? Photo © Prudence Upton

While seasoned professionals Trouble and Flick, the wonderful terriers trotting the boards as Toto in The Wizard of Oz, have made names for themselves in the theatre, OA has said their potential stars need no previous acting (or singing) experience. The dogs, however, must be well trained, OA noting that if they stay on site...