Wookey Hole: "Hex Factor" Auditions To Find New Witch

23 September 2013, 13:14 | Updated: 23 September 2013, 13:21

Wookey Hole Witch

The new witch of Wookey Hole Caves will be chosen during a day of “Hex Factor” auditions to be held at the Somerset tourist attraction on October 22nd.

When auditions were last held in 2009 close to 3,000 potential witches came forward hoping to be appointed to the £50,000 a year (pro-rata) role.

“Hex Factor” has been launched after the current witch, 29-year-old actress Sunny Van der Pas, handed in her notice last week as she intends to start her own business running a retro clothes shop in Devon.

Job centres have already been given details of the unusual job, which is open to male, female and transgender witches. The witch of Wookey Hole provides the face of the tourist attraction in advertising and marketing, makes personal appearances at the caves to entertain families who visit the spectacular caverns.

Sunny Van der Pas, who has held the position for two years, will be one of the Hex-Factor panel deciding on her replacement. She said:

“It is a fantastic job but any performer will agree that it is difficult to play the same role for two years. I think it would be ideal for someone who has been to drama school or for an older person, who wants to have a regular role they can get their teeth into.

You have to like children, be able to cackle convincingly and enjoy dressing up and being really close to the public. You have to like living in a cave and be able to perform a few spells.”

Daniel Medley, Director of Wookey Hole Caves said:

“The witch of Wookey is a world-renowned historical character and since news of the vacancy leaked out last week we have already had people applying to us from all over the UK.

Last time people came from as far afield as Germany and Italy to the auditions and it was absolute bedlam here. We will have panels of judges here on October 22nd and we expect candidates to come dressed as witches. They will then have one minute to impress the judges and we will draw up a shortlist from there.”

To apply for the position of Wookey Hole Witch people can visit the website www.wookey.co.uk or call 01749 672243 / email: witch@wookey.co.uk