If you've ever studied ancient history, you'd know that the Romans were a pretty nasty mob. Cruelty to animals; mass torture for public entertainment; men in pleated skirts...yet that hasn't stopped over 1,000 Australians auditioning for a role in Ben Hur - The Stadium Spectacular.

This overwhelming interest has forced Ben Hur's producers to create a shortlist, with 500 hopefuls set to be put through a rigorous audition at ANZ Stadium on Saturday, August 28.

By the end of the day, 15 members of the public will be chosen and experience the once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to join the hundreds already cast in Ben Hur - The Stadium Spectacular.

Ben Hur features intricately costumed actors in a Roman coliseum with a spectacular full-scale chariot race and gladiator battles.The stadium-scaled show is said to be the biggest theatrical event ever seen in Australia.

The production follows the life and times of Ben Hur and his friend turned foe, Messala, the son of the Roman prefect who occupies Jerusalem.

Their bitter feud culminates in a chariot race featuring six teams of four horses in a helter skelter dash for supremacy.

Along the way the cast of Roman senators, slaves, gladiators, dancers and villagers creates great pageantry, while the massive staging includes a giant Roman galleon, the Roman Senate and the town of Judea.

This large-scale adaptation also features the theatrical talents of a narrator, and who better to voice the story of a gladiator than Hollywood's favourite Roman hero, Russell Crowe.

Ben Hur comes exclusively to Sydney for two nights only in 2010 - Friday October 22 and Saturday October 23.

For tickets and more information, hop on your trusty steed and gallop on over to the Ben Hur website.