Andrew Lloyd Webber brings a new production of The Sound of Music to the West End this September. Rodgers and Hammerstein II’s classic musical, which has wowed audiences onstage and on film will be brought to life by Hollyoaks star Summer Strallen and Casualty’s Simon MacCorkindale. The Daily Telegraph calls it ‘A glorious production’, whilst Sky News refers to Andrew Lloyd Webber as ‘a musical genius at the peak of his powers – first rate class’, audiences should ‘go now’.
The story of The Sound of Music is a famous one, detailing the character of Maria, who is studying to become a nun in Saltzburg, Austria. She is sent to be a governess to seven children of a naval commander and widower Captain Von Trapp. Von Trapp believes the children should be taught with strict military discipline whilst Maria believes that they should be able to have fun whilst they are still children. At first the kids dislike Maria, but she soon shows them a wonderful world of singing and music. When Von Trapp discovers this he regrets his former strict self and invites Maria to stay, hoping to enjoy life himself.
Despite his engagement to a Baroness, Maria finds herself falling in love with the captain. Meanwhile he is convinced by his friend Max Detweiler to let the children perform in concert. However, the Baroness is jealous of Maria and convinces her to leave for good. What culminates is a magical tale set as The Third Reich takes power in Austria.
Maria is played by Summer Strallen of Channel 4’s hit soap Hollyoaks, having previously performed in the West end in The Drowsy Chaperone, Chitty Chitty Bang Bang, The Boyfriend and Guys and Dolls. She is joined by Simon MacCorkindale as Captain Von Trapp. Carkindale is well known for starring as Harry Harper in BBC’s Casualty. He has also starred in Obsessive Love, Falcon's Gold, Quatermass, Jesus of Nazareth, Gemini and Dynasty.
The wonderful music in the production includes My Favourite Things, Do-Re-Mi, Edelweiss, Climb Ev'ry Mountain, Sixteen Going on Seventeen, The Lonely Goatherd and of course the glorious title song The Sound of Music. Opens September at the London Palladium.