Review: The Sound of Music (UK Tour)

The Sound of Music (UK Tour)

Aylesbury Waterside Theatre

Reviewed on Thursday 19th May 2016
★★★★

You can never go wrong with The Sound of Music - it's heartwarming, joyful and can even make you feel a tiny bit Christmassy in May. 

The Sound of Music announces new cast

The Sound of Music has announced new casting for its current UK tour which opens on Wednesday 18th May at the Aylesbury Waterside Theatre.

Lucy O'Byrne continues in the role of Maria and will star opposite Andrew Lancel who joins the company as Captain Von Trapp. Jan Hartley reprises her role as Mother Abbess.

The show is directed by Martin Connor with choreography by Bill Deamer and musical direction by David Steadman.

The Sound of Music extends tour; first casting confirmed

Bill Kenwright’s production of The Sound of Music has extended its UK tour to October 2016.

Starring Lucy O’Byrne as Maria, the tour recommences on Tuesday 18th May 2016 at the Aylesbury Waterside Theatre. O’Byrne's first album Debut will be released on 25th March 2016.

Joining O’Byrne in the cast for the new tour dates are: Duncan Smith (Max), Isla Carter (Baroness Elsa), Kane Verrall (Rolf), Annie Horn (Liesl), Zoe Ann Brown (Sister Margaretta), Kate Scott (Sister Berthe), Tammy Davies (Sister Sophia), Jude Neill (Ursula), Anouska Eaton (Baroness Elberfeld), Jon de Ville (Franz), Pippa Winslow (Frau Schmidt), Scott Ainslie (Admiral von Schreiber), Piers Bate (Baron Elberfeld) and Lewis Barnshaw with further casting to be announced.

Feature: December round-up

Star of the Month
Kara Tointon

Earlier this month Kara Tointon made her musical theatre debut in front of an audience of four million viewers, taking on the role of Mara in ITV's The Sound of Music LIVE. Tointon made a stunning Maria and gave a stellar performance, making the role her own – she is a revelation! Tointon carried the broadcast and performed with a twinkle in her eye.

Show of the Month

Peter Pan Goes Wrong

The Sound of Music LIVE watched by four million viewers

Last night ITV broadcast a live television adaptation of The Sound of Music by Rodgers and Hammerstein.

According to overnight ratings, the show was watched by an average of four million viewers with a peak of 4.5 million viewers. 

The most watched programme of the evening on ITV1, The Sound of Music LIVE celebrated a 17% share of the overall TV viewing audience.

Elaine Bedell (ITV's TV director of comedy and entertainment) said: "I'm delighted for the production team, the cast and the crew that this dauntingly ambitious production of the world's most-loved musical came together in such a brilliant way, and we are proud to have offered viewers something truly distinctive and special in our Christmas schedule."

Editor's Blog: Stagey guide to Christmas TV

Presents wrapped? Mulled wine at the ready? Stagey TV planned and set to record...? Here's West End Frame's guide to what you should be watching this Christmas!

TOP PICKS

The Sound Of Music Live Sun 20th Dec at 7:30pm on ITV1 Following NBC's event in 2013, ITV are broadcasting a live TV production of The Sound of Music starring Kara Tointon, Julian Ovenden, Katherine Kelly, Alexander Armstrong, Maria Friedman, Mel Giedroyc and Evelyn Hoskins. Make sure you watch out for lots of West End talent popping up in the ensemble! Join us on Twitter during the Broadcast (@West_End_Frame) on 20th December for live Tweeting. Click here for more info.

Gypsy starring Imelda Staunton Sun 27th Dec at 9.00pm on BBC4 Imelda Staunton's performance in Gypsy is already part of theatrical history. During the show's run at the Savoy Theatre, three performances were filmed. The wait is finally over as the production will be broadcast on 27th December ahead of a rumoured DVD release. Joining Staunton as Momma Rose are Lara Pulver as Louise, Peter Davison as Herbie, Gemma Sutton as June and Dan Burton as Tulsa. Click here for more info.

Sneak peek at... The Sound of Music UK tour starring Lucy O’Byrne

Production images have been released for the UK tour of The Sound of Music starring Lucy O’Byrne as Maria and Gray O’Brien as Captain von Trapp. Check out the pictured below (click image to enlarge).

Bill Kenwright’s production re-opened at the Broadway Theatre in Peterborough on 2nd December. The show is directed by Martin Connor and choreographed by Bill Deamer with musical direction by David Steadman.

Full casting announced for The Sound of Music UK tour

Full casting has been announced for the upcoming UK tour of The Sound of Music.

Bill Kenwright’s production re-opens at the Broadway Theatre in Peterborough tomorrow (2nd December) starring the previously announced Lucy O’Byrne as Maria and Gray O’Brien as Captain von Trapp in their musical theatre debuts.

The full cast includes: Jan Hartley (Mother Abbess), Duncan Smith (Max), Isla Carter (Baroness Elsa), Kane Verrall (Rolf), Annie Horn (Liesl), Zoe Ann Brown (Sister Margaretta), Kate Scott (Sister Berthe), Tammy Davies (Sister Sophia), Jude Neill (Ursula), Anouska Eaton (Baroness Elberfeld), Jon de Ville (Franz), Pippa Winslow (Frau Schmidt), Grant Neil (Herr Zella), Scott Ainslie (Admiral von Schreiber), Piers Bate (Baron Elberfeld) and Lewis Barnshaw.

Further casting announced for ITV broadcast of The Sound Of Music LIVE

Further casting has been announced for ITV's upcoming live broadcast of The Sound of Music.

As previously announced, the cast will be led by Kara Tointon as Maria, Julian Ovenden as Captain Von Trapp, Katherine Kelly as Baroness Elsa Schraeder and Alexander Armstrong as Max Detweiler.

Joining the cast are West End legend Maria Friedman as Mother Abbess, Mel Giedroyc as Frau Schmidt and Evelyn Hoskins as Liesl von Trapp. The company will also include Jon Tarcy and Paul Copley.

Gray O'Brien to star in The Sound of Music

It has been announced that Gray O'Brien will star as Captain von Trapp in Bill Kenwright’s touring production of The Sound of Music. 

Marking his musical theatre debut, O'Brien joins the previously announced Lucy O'Byrne as Maria. 

O'Brien is best known for playing Tony Gordon in Coronation Street. The tour recommences with its new cast at the The Broadway Theatre in Peterborough on 2nd December 2015.

O'Byrne was a finalist on BBC1's The Voice as a member of Team Will.i.am. She previously appeared in Thérèse Raquin at the Park Theatre and recently received acclaim for her performance at the BBC Proms.

Competition: Win a pair of tickets to The Sound of Music as part of the grand re-opening of the Peterborough Broadway!

To celebrate the re-opening of the Peterborough Broadway we are giving away a pair of tickets to The Sound of Music. To enter the competition, simply sign up to West End Frame's mailing list below.

The winner will be randomly selected at 10am on Monday 9th November 2015 (entries after this time will not be included). The prize is valid on for Monday - Thursday performances 2nd -12th December 2015.

Kara Tointon joins Julian Ovenden in live ITV broadcast of The Sound Of Music

The Stage has announced further casting for ITV's upcoming live broadcast of The Sound of Music.

Joining the previously announced Julian Ovenden as Captain Von Trapp is Kara Tointon as Maria. 

Rodgers and Hammerstein's musical will be broadcast over Christmas. The cast also includes Katherine Kelly as Baroness Elsa Schraeder and Alexander Armstrong as Max Detweiler.

The creative team includes Coky Giedroyc (creative director), Martin Koch (musical supervisor) and Richard Valentine (television director).

Julian Ovenden to star in live ITV broadcast of The Sound Of Music

The Daily Mail's Baz Bamigboye has announced that Julian Ovenden will play Captain Von Trapp in ITV’s live broadcast of The Sound Of Music by Rodgers and Hammerstein. 

Directed by Coky Giedroyc, the show will be filmed on a sound stage and broadcast live over Christmas. Bamigboye reports that the cast will also film a pre-recorded version in case anything goes wrong on the night.

ITV's live broadcast of The Sound of Musical follows NBC's The Sound of Music Live in 2013 which starred Carrie Underwood as Maria von Trapp, Stephen Moyer as Captain Georg von Trapp and Audra McDonald as Mother Abbess, attracting 18.62 million live viewers.

Lucy O'Byrne to play Maria in The Sound of Music UK Tour

It has been announced that Lucy O'Byrne is taking over from Danielle Hope as Maria von Trapp in the UK touring production of The Sound of Music.

O'Byrne will play her first performance on 2nd December at the Broadway Theatre in Peterborough.

Earlier this year she was a finalist on BBC1's The Voice as a member of Team Will.i.am. O'Byrne previously appeared in Thérèse Raquin at the Park Theatre and recently received acclaim for her performance at the BBC Proms.

Produced by Bill Kenwright, The Sound of Music UK tour is directed by Martin Connor and choreographed by Bill Deamer with musical direction by David Steadman.

Review: The Sound of Music (UK Tour) at the New Wimbledon Theatre

The Sound of Music (UK Tour)

New Wimbledon Theatre

Reviewed on Wednesday 1st April 2015

★★★★

I have seen The Sound of Music so many times on stage and screen over the past couple of years that I feel I could jump up and step into any role if a member of the cast was taken ill. Sometimes seeing the same show produced again and again can become tiresome, but The Sound of Music never fails to warm the heart.

Sneak peek at... Danielle Hope in The Sound of Music UK Tour

The first images have been released of Danielle Hope as Maria in The Sound of Music 2015 UK Tour. The production also stars Steven Houghton as Captain von Trapp. Check out the images below (click picture to enlarge).

The Sound of Music is directed by Martin Connor with choreography by Bill Deamer, design by Gary McCann and musical direction from David Steadman. This new production of the classic stage musical coincides with the 50th Anniversary of the film version which famously starred Julie Andrews. The score features 'Edelweiss', 'My Favorite Things', 'Do-Re-Mi' and 'Climb Ev'ry Mountain'.

The cast also includes Jan Hartley as Mother Abbess, Sarah Soetaert as Baroness Elsa Schrader, Howard Samuels as Max, Grace Chapman as Liesl, Luke George as Rolf, Kate Milner Evans as Frau Schmidt and Martin Dickinson as Admiral Von Schreiber.

Editor's Blog: Christmas telly picks + odds & ends

Turkey? Check. Presents? Check. Stagey TV planned and set to record...?

Christmas wouldn't be Christmas without some stagey TV. Highlights on Christmas Day include Kiss Me, Kate at the Proms (BBC2 / 14.45) starring Ben Davis, Tony Yazbeck, Alexandra Silber and Louise Dearman, as well as The Sound of Music Live (Channel 5 / 12.35) which was originally broadcast live on US TV. It stars Carrie Underwood, Stephen Moyer, Christian Borle and Audra McDonald.

Louise Dearman in Kiss Me, Kate at the Proms

If you're looking for a classic musical movie there's Chitty Chitty Bang Bang (Channel 5 / 15.25) or documentary-wise there's Frozen at Christmas (Channel 4 / 20.00) and Tim Rice - A Life In Song (BBC2 / 22.30).

Full casting announced for The Sound of Music 2015 UK Tour

Full casting has been announced for the 2015 UK Tour of The Sound of Music. The production opens at the Churchill Theatre, Bromley on Thursday 15th January 2015. 

Joining Danielle Hope (pictured right) as Maria von Trapp is Steven Houghton (Coronation Street/London’s Burning) as Captain von Trapp .

The cast also includes Jan Hartley as Mother Abbess, Sarah Soetaert as Baroness Elsa Schrader, Howard Samuels as Max, Grace Chapman as Liesl, Luke George as Rolf, Kate Milner Evans as Frau Schmidt and Martin Dickinson as Admiral Von Schreiber. 

Review: The Sound of Music at the Leicester Curve Theatre

The Sound of Music
Leicester Curve Theatre
Reviewed on Wednesday 3rd December 2014
★★★★

Marking Paul Kerryson's final show as Artistic Director of the Curve, The Sound of Music is absolutely glorious. It is visually stunning, the score is sounding better than ever and the cast bring something new to the piece.

Danielle Hope stars in The Sound Of Music 2015 UK Tour!

It has been announced that Danielle Hope will star as Maria von Trapp in the 2015 UK Tour of The Sound of Music! 

The production opens on Thursday 15th January 2015 at the Churchill Theatre in Bromley and then moves to the Mayflower Theatre in Southampton to commence a major national tour.

Martin Connor will direct the show with choreography by Bill Deamer, design by Gary McCann and musical direction from David Steadman.

This new production of the classic stage musical coincides with the 50th Anniversary of the film version which famously starred Julie Andrews. The score features 'Edelweiss', 'My Favorite Things', 'Do-Re-Mi' and 'Climb Ev'ry Mountain'.