SIMON SHEPHERD WITHDRAWS FROM “THE SOUND OF MUSIC”

ALEXANDER HANSON TAKES OVER THE ROLE OF ‘CAPTAIN VON TRAPP’

Following the first two previews of “THE SOUND OF MUSIC” at the London Palladium on Friday 3 and Saturday 4 November, Simon Shepherd, director Jeremy Sams and producers Andrew Lloyd Webber and David Ian agreed that his performance as ‘Captain Von Trapp’ was not working within the production and therefore he has withdrawn from the show.

The producers are delighted to have secured the services of Alexander Hanson who will take over the role and will start performances as ‘Captain Von Trapp’ as soon as possible later this week. Alexander Hanson played the lead in this year’s Chichester Festival Theatre’s production of “Tonight at 8.30” and his other recent productions include the Royal National Theatre’s “The Villain’s Opera”, “Troilus and Cressida”, “Candide” and “The Merchant of Venice”. His West End musicals include starring roles in “Sunset Boulevard”, “Aspects of Love” and “We Will Rock You”. His television includes playing the regular character ‘Marshall’ in “The Fugitives” and playing ‘Tarquin’ in two series of “Auf Weidersehn Pet”.

Until he starts performances, ‘Captain Von Trapp’ will be played by understudy Christopher Dickins.

“THE SOUND OF MUSIC”, which stars Lesley Garrett as ‘Mother Abbess’ and Connie Fisher as ‘Maria’, will open on schedule on Wednesday 15 November.

“THE SOUND OF MUSIC” has music by Richard Rodgers and lyrics by Oscar Hammerstein II, with a book by Howard Lindsay and Russel Crouse, suggested by “The Trapp Family Singers” by Maria Augusta Trapp.

“THE SOUND OF MUSIC” is directed by Jeremy Sams, with choreography by Arlene Phillips, design by Robert Jones, sound by Mick Potter, lighting by Mark Henderson and musical supervision by Simon Lee.

“THE SOUND OF MUSIC” originally premiered on Broadway in 1959, when it won six Tony Awards, including “Best Musical”. The show first opened in London in 1961 and its last London revival was in 1981, both productions having record-breaking runs. The 1965 Hollywood film, which starred Julie Andrews and Christopher Plummer, won five Oscars, including “Best Picture”.

“THE SOUND OF MUSIC” is presented by Andrew Lloyd Webber and David Ian, The Really Useful Group and Live Nation.

Performance times at the London Palladium are at 7.30pm on Mondays and Wednesdays – Saturdays, with Tuesday performances at 7.00pm, and Wednesday and Saturday matinees at 2.30pm. Tickets, priced from £25.00 - £55.00 including all booking fees, are available from the London Palladium Box Office on 0870 890 1108

6th November 2006