Andrew Lloyd Webber and David Ian’s new production of the legendary Rodgers and Hammerstein musical “THE SOUND OF MUSIC” will now open in the West End at the London Palladium on Wednesday 15 November, following previews from 3 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.

Lesley Garrett will star as ‘Mother Abbess’, Simon Shepherd as ‘Captain Von Trapp’ and Connie Fisher as ‘Maria’.  Lauren Ward will play ‘The Baroness’, Ian Gelder ‘Max’, Sophie Bould ‘Liesel’ and Neil McDermott ‘Rolf’. 

Lesley Garrett is Britain’s most popular soprano, having made her Royal Opera debut in their production of The Merry Widow in 1997. She has had her own series on television and has achieved huge success as a recording artist.  Simon Shepherd is best known as the star of five series of “Peak Practice”, but his stage career includes the London productions of “Art”, “Bent” and “The Secret Rapture”.  Connie Fisher is the winner of BBC 1’s “How Do You Solve a Problem Like Maria?”. At certain performances Margaret Preece will play ‘Mother Abbess’.

The cast also includes Christopher Blades, Anthony Cable, Ian Caddick, Vivien Care, Tanya Caridia, Christopher Connah, Kate Coysten, Deborah Crowe, Christopher Dickens, Katie Fabel, Susie Fenwick, John Griffiths, Amanda Hall, Paul Kemble, Emma Lindars, Ian Male, Claire Massie, Nicholas Maude, Gavin Mitford, Jo Napthine, Verity Quade, Katie Ray, Simon Schofield, Nicola Sloane, Alan Vicary, Helen Walsh, Elen Mon Wayne, Jane Webster, Kerry Winter and Vanessa Woodfine.

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

22nd September 2006