God forgive him... Andrew Lloyd Webber is bringing a new production of beloved musical The Sound of Music to the London Palladium in the West End this November. He hasn't trashed the original music by Richard Rodgers nor the lyrics by Oscar Hammerstein - we're quite certain God himself has enforced some sort of holy, invisible protective shield around classics such as "Climb Every Mountain" and "A Few of My Favourite Things." But he has introduced some... innovations in casting this latest resurrection of the musical.
The central role of Maria, played by Julie Andrews in the 1965 film version will be chosen through a Pop Idol-style television audition process, which will be fronted by Graham Norton. It will be like a televised night with the Sing-a-Long-a-Sound of Music guys at the Prince Charles cinema but with the added frisson of eliminations, bitch-fighting and the nail-biting suspense of "will they, won't they... allow drag acts to enter?"
For all of you who have secretly fantasised about putting on a wimple and bursting into song with a bunch of Austrians while on the run from Nazi soldiers, this is your chance! You too can be Maria and be clasped in Captain von Trapp's manly arms for that great duet in the summerhouse! We will post more information on how to enter as soon as we know the process... in the meantime, all together now:
Lets get rid of all their problems
I'll do better than my best
I have confidence
They'll put me to the test
But I'll make them see
I have confidence in me
Somehow I will impress them
I will be firm but kind
And all those children
Heaven bless them
They will look up to me
And mind me...
Tickets for The Sound of Music are due to go on sale on 11th June. Check the Ticketmaster website here for more details.
