Never before has a show attracted so much media hype as The Sound Of Music, coupled with the TV show How do you solve a problem like Maria? that searched for the leading role of Maria Rainer. A role so loving portrayed by Julie Andrews in the equivalent 1960s film. This has to be the most memorable selection of songs that a musical has ever produced and Christmas would just not be quiet the same without a visit down memory lane to this timeless classic. So imagine my delight when flicking channels I came across a TV show devoted to finding Maria!
Connie Fisher in her first leading role, her powerful but delicate voice is perfectly suited to this new Andrew Lloyd Webber adaptation of the Sound of Music. What a good job the British public did in voting for Connie she is ever inch the Maria we all know and love with her own unforgettable voice.
She is not the only reason to make your way to the West end to watch this timeless classic along side her is Lesley Garrett as Mother Abbess and Alexander Hanson who is an experienced and talented actor and singer playing the role of Captain Von Trapp. Hanson in his own right has attracted roles in some of the cornerstone productions of the London Theatre scene such as Aspects of Love and a personal favourite of mine Sunset Boulevard.
For all those who watched the performance of those adorable children accompanied by Connie during the Royal Variety production just before Christmas, was not enough to dig out your credit card and plan that weekend treat whilst humming that sweet Do-Re-Mi tune endlessly in your head. Then maybe it should be the fact that Andrew Lloyd Webber has achieved a life long ambition to reproduce this amazing true story of the Von Trapp family. Mixing renowned Choreographer Arlene Philips and Director Jeremy Sams together with the original music score from Rodgers and Hammerstine.
This production can only be enhanced by it being shown at The London Palladium, this being probably the most famous of all London West End Theatres. I guess that time will only tell if this new production stands the test of time and if Connie will live in the hearts of all those theatre goers, in the same way that Julie Andrews has for the past 30 years.
As well as the Sound of Music there are numerous other musicals that performed daily in London and in particular the West End.
The Lord of the Rings musical, which was premiered in Toronto, has become the world's most spectacular, ambitious and expensive theatre show to date, taking more than four years to make and costing a total of ?14.3 million. To create the different Middle Earth kingdoms, a 40 tonne rotating stage lifts and falls in 17 different sections, and 50 actors, 19 musicians and 60 stage hands work behind the scenes to ensure the 256 costume changes go smoothly as Elfin silk. The show has successfully condensed Tolkien's epic world into a three hour singing, dancing, flying and fighting extravaganza and will please musical and Middle Earth fans alike.
Billy Elliot first opened in London's West End at the Victoria Palace Theatre in March 2005 to huge critical acclaim, and since then has won a host of awards including Best Musical at the Oliver Awards, the Evening Standard Awards and at the Critics Circle. With music by Elton John, Billy Elliot tells the story of a young boy living in a traditional mining town in Northern England, who unlike the other boys, finds he has a talent for ballet rather than boxing. The show has gained fantastic reviews from the popular press, being haled as "beautifully uplifting", "hilarious" and "so exhilarating, the audience didn't want it to end".
Dirty Dancing, a classic film from the 1980s first opened as a stage show in Australia in 2004. Since then it has achieved record breaking West End ticket sales. Just in case you've been living in the African outback for the last twenty years and are unfamiliar with the plot, the story is based on one of the most watched films of all time, which details the love story of a girl crossing into womanhood both physically and emotionally through a relationship with a dance instructor during a family summer vacation. Full of classic dance scenes and one of the best selling soundtracks of all time, the Dirty Dancing stage show is sure to fill you full of childhood nostalgia.
Those living outside of the capital can take a , and there are many companies offering theatre break packages which include hotel accommodation near a theatre of your choice and tickets for your chosen performance.
So from Middle Earth to the summer of love, London's West End is well worth a visit for theatre fans - just be sure to book early as these shows sell out fast! Adam Singleton is an online, freelance journalist and keen amateur photographer. His portfolio, called Photography is available to view online.
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