The Gold Coast and Melbourne will be the only Australian venues on Universal Studios Japan's worldwide audition tour for performers this year, according to a report by Australian Associated Press on Tuesday.

More than 150 performers are expected to show their talents over three days on the Gold Coast, competing with 3,500 hopefuls for just 220 jobs in Japan.

The Japanese casting team will hold auditions in seven cities on three continents to recruit the best singers, dancers, actors and stunt performers to work at the Universal Studios Japan theme park in Osaka.

With jobs hard to come by in the global economic climate, the number lining up for auditions this year is expected to rise, with tour management already registering a 20 percent increase in interest.

Australians account for up to 30 percent of foreign entertainers at Universal Studios Japan at any one time.

Studio boss Mike Davis said the Gold Coast had an excellent reputation for producing world-class talent.

"The number of Aussies in the audition finals is equal to the U.S.," he said.

"We've seen more performers audition in the Gold Coast than Orlando in Florida, where the greater city area is over two million people."

Successful candidates will be offered a contract at Universal Studios Japan in Osaka commencing early in 2010.

(Xinhua News Agency July 29, 2009)