In Channel 4's Musicality a panel of top theatre professionals was given the task of spotting the potential amongst a cast of thousands and then grooming a shortlist of 10 contestants for the chance of being catapulted into the theatrical limelight for one night only, to play a coveted role in a classic West End show.

But if you've missed your chance to shine at the Musicality auditions, do not despair. We have some useful tips for aspiring musical theatre performers that could help you get your foot in the stage door. We also have interviews with some of today's brightest musical stars who tell how they got to see their names up in lights.

And if you're more of an armchair musical fan, we have a brief history of musical theatre which is guaranteed to get you humming all those fantastic show tunes – as is the Musicality CD, now on sale from the Channel 4 shop.