Sing 16 bars. Strictly NO musical theatre tunes. Dress casual. No acting experience necessary. Non-Equity and Equity welcome."

Those are the rules for, perhaps, the biggest casting event of the London season: Rent, which is looking for "raw, fresh talent," of all ethnic groups, in their early to late 20's. Here is the schedule for auditions:

Feb. 25: Britannia Hotel, 35 Portland St., Manchester (10-6 PM).
Feb. 27: Tron Theatre, 63 Trongate, Glasgow (10-6 PM).
March 1: Holiday Inn Garden Hotel, 15 Brunswick St., Belfast (10-6 PM)
March 3: The American Church, 79A Tottenham Court Road, London (10 6PM)

A spokesperson from the Booking Office told Playbill On-Line that casting is being done in New York and on the West Coast as well, though he expects the London cast will come almost exclusively from the UK. He did say it wasn't inconceivable that those who audition in London might end up in the La Jolla and Broadway casts, and vice versa. Though a theatre has not yet been chosen, Rent is expected to open in the West End Sept. 97.

--By David Lefkowitz