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The Sound of Music - Sunderland Empire
Dec 2, 2009
IT seems such a long time since Connie Fisher won the role of Maria in the BBC's reality TV show How do you solve a problem like Maria.
Thankfully for us she has returned as Maria in the touring version of The Sound of Music. As soon as Connie Fisher enters you can understand why she was the winner. She has certainly made this role her own and is in no way a copy of Julie Andrews. She tackles the serious side of her character and the comedy with perfection.
The story, of course is so well known, though you will spot some slight differences from the film version. The narrative does move at an incredible speed, which does make parts of the story unbelievable.
Michael Praed, playing Captain Von Trap, is excellent in his role. The highlights though are the scenes with Maria and the Children. The interaction is so relaxed and effortless that these scenes are a joy to watch.
With choreography by Arlene Phillips, a superb set by Robert Jones all under the direction of Jeremy Sams, this has to be one of the slickest faultless musicals I have seen.
The Sound of Music runs until Saturday, December 5, at Sunderland Empire
A J Harrison