Went to see Sound of Music last night and was shocked at the attendance, it was half full at max!

I purchased tickets from Lastminute, 3rd price stalls seat for £22.50, collected the tickets and had row V seats scribbles out and row D written next to it. So we were centre row D stalls with NO ONE in the front 3 infront of us.

Surely it can't go on much longer with this sort of attendance.

The show itself was great. Summer is capable (not as good as she was in Drowsy but with a part like Maria who can complain), Mother Abbess, name escapes me, was the real star, voice was so powerful. Dissapointment was Captain Von Trap, Simon McCorkingdale, could sing, act or dance, why let him in a musical?

But who long will this production last do you think?

According to the Daily Mail it will be closing in Feb.

It really depends on which night you go. I go down a lot and it's always almost full when we're there (and thats always weekdays). I think the fact that kids were going back to school this week may have been a big factor. The show will be closing in February, although there isn't an official date yet as the site seems to be booking til 28th but most the cast are contracted til the 21st. Make of that what you will.

Margeret Preece plays Mother Abbess. She is incredible and her understudy is also amazing too. I agree about Simon, I did like his portrayal of the character, he was just REALLY lacking in the voice department. He's a really nice bloke tho. I love Summer as Maria and I love the fact that she really does love the part. She's especially excited to be working with the new cast and had nothing but good thing to say about Simon M.

I also went to Thursday nights show and was also really surprised how empty it was. The upper circle was closed although the dress circle looked quite full (probably with upper circle people!). The stalls felt a bit like a free-for-all with people sitting pretty much where they wanted once it got close to showtime (and there was plenty of seats to choose from). I've never been in the Palladium when it has been so empty and it really felt like a BIG space to fill with theatre when there wasn't an audience.
Having said that I enjoyed the show (2nd visit) - Summer was very good - she played it alot more for laughs than I remember Connie doing. The Mother Abbess was very good but really not a patch (IMO) as Lesley Garrett. As mentioned earlier, I cannot understand who chose to employ Simon McCorkindale as the Captain as he really was pretty rubbish. His acting wasn't too bad but the singing... oh dear, oh dear! Edelweiss is one of my favourite songs and it was so terribly sung it was embarrassing. Whenever he started to sing you actually heard sniggerin around the theatre. See/hear it to believe it! Oh... and the children were good too.
I definitely think the show has run it's course... time a new Blockbuster into the Palladium!

Do you know which group of children you had? There are one group that are fantastic at the moment.

Also went to see The Sound of Music on Thursday. It was the emptiest I have seen it, but more than the half full stated. Also went on Saturday night and it was pretty full. An earlier show in the summer was packed on all three floors.
I agree about Summer bringing much to the show. Margaret Preece is a star and all the nuns' choral parts are of a very high quality. Even small parts, especially Herr Zeller the Nazi, are so effective making this a memorable evening ... but Simon MacCorkindale - nice bloke though he seems - should not be on the stage. Can you imagine this happening on Broadway? It was embarrassing and ruined the climaxes of the show on "Jam and Bread" and, of course, the excruciating "Edelweiss". Does he not know? Not care? Not have any choice? I do not know how Summer puts up with it and manages to continue with any sense of professionalism, let alone show love. What the understudies must be thinking I do not know.
The children on both nights were wonderful - a/the highlight - and must be the group mentioned? I did feel for them in the concert scene.

Summer really praised Simon up when we spoke to her and says he brings a breath of fresh air backstage.. I'm not actually a fan and think that it could have been cast better. But Simon has a LOT of fans that have followed him to Sound of Music (there were more people at him than for Summer..) so maybe the casting team thought about that when casting him. It's really hard for me cos I've yet to see a captain that I've liked.. Simon Burke grew on me but his understudy Lynden really wasn't right for the role so I was glad when I heard he wasn't taking over (even then he had a terrific voice on him)

I'll find out if it was the group who I personally think are the best group of kids that I have ever seen (I have seen 8 different groups). Are you sure it was the same group both times? Because they rotate the kids every three days.. and it's usually tuesday-thursday, then friday-monday.. so you probably seen two different groups...

(and i'm sorry if I seem like i'm acting like a know it all, i just have a few friends in the cast.. and we're also friendly with Summer)

EDIT - just spoken to my friend and she let me know that the group i was on about was on thursday and saturday ..

Thank you for your work on this. I am not surprised that it was that group of children. I have seen several groups - not as many as you - and that group are outstanding, even down to the spirit of a family which they clearly have.

It's nice to think you're not the only one. Thanks for your comments on Summer and Simon, too.

The only really convincing Capt VT has been Alex Hanson who was excellent. The others had varying levels of credibility and were the weak link in an otherwise brilliant production.

I'm glad people agrees with me on that group of Children I thought I may be a little biased as Eloise who plays Gretl is my friends sister. When we went down for her first night, I tried to watch it objectively but she really did bloe me away. I've only seen two of the current groups who are on at the moment, the other group I'd seen were also very good and they were all blonde which was strange..

I didnt actually get to see Alex Hanson.. But i've watched some of his clips and he seems good. I think it's really hard to find the right balace between strictness and showing a bond with the children. I think Simon M's chemistry with the children was actually really good but he didn't come off straight enough. Simon Burke was too straight sometimes and lacked chemistry with Summer. Lynden just.. wasn't right at all. There was one show I seen, the last time I seen Simon Burke, where he really blew me away though. And thats when he started to grow on me.

I'm really confused on the contracts and the booking tickets. Both Simon and Summer are contracted til 21st February but the show is closing on 28th, I hope that doesn't mean Connie will be coming back to close.. I would like Summer to be able to close it..

I'm really confused on the contracts and the booking tickets. Both Simon and Summer are contracted til 21st February but the show is closing on 28th, I hope that doesn't mean Connie will be coming back to close.. I would like Summer to be able to close it..


As I said a couple of months ago strallenfan (but you shot me down) Connie will close the Westend an then take it on tour. Believe me now? !

LOL. I shot you down because everyone said that she'd be closing it in October and I knew that Summer was contracted til February. Then I had a whole big thing because I really feel it's unfair to Summer. If the show had been running for ages and had had loads of different Maria's, I would understand the concept of bringing Connie back.. but to have Summer for a year and then be like "bugger off, we want Connie for the last week" is really really rude.

I'll make sure I'll ask Summer when I see her next month, not sure if she'll be able to say anything then but she could probably tell me when her final show is, and then we can see from that.

I agree with you, it is very rude to Summer to bring Connie back for the last week, what is the thinking behind this? What are they hoping to achieve? I wonder how Summer feels about this. I know it is a matter of personal taste but I have heard that Summer is better than Connie in many ways. I can't judge because I never saw Connie but I did see Summer twice and thought she was stunning.

Fact is Connie (although I'm not a fan) sells more tickets than Summer!

"I agree with you, it is very rude to Summer to bring Connie back for the last week, what is the thinking behind this? What are they hoping to achieve? I wonder how Summer feels about this. I know it is a matter of personal taste but I have heard that Summer is better than Connie in many ways. I can't judge because I never saw Connie but I did see Summer twice and thought she was stunning." - allthatjazz

Now hang on a minute. Let's not get carried away and worry about how Summer is feeling. We don't even know if Connie is coming back. In the space of six wall posts you've gone from "I wonder why there's a week scheduled after Summer's contract is up?" to "Oh my God how rude of them to bring Connie back". She may come back, she may not, but don't start getting in a hoo ha about a rumour that YOU have just created!

And even if it is true, I don't think Summer will be too annoyed. She went through a Lloyd Webber television scheme to get the part just like Connie did, and therefore she can bear no grudges if they bring Connie back to boost ticket sales and send the show off with full houses. Anyone who gets involved with the Lloyd Webber TV funhouse must be prepared to be treated like a toy and a publicity machine, because that's exactly how the Producers and the money-men see them. They are puppets that make them millions and millions of pounds. It's ALL about bums on seats. Everything. From their casting decisions, to their posters, to their costumes. Summer, however, is a professional actress, who has been in the business for a long time and worked her way up from being in the ensemble and a cover, and I can assure you that by the time the last week of her SOM contract comes along, her mind will be well onto the next project she's lined up to do.

Let's all just let Summer get on with her job, and not worry about Connie until we know for sure whether she's returning.

I think it's very true that Summer wouldn't mind. She is a really lovely person and I think she would totally understand the reasoning behind Connie closing the show. However as a fan of the show AND a huge huge fan Summer, If Connie does close I will be annoyed. Especially if Connie does the tour.

And yes.. can we just clean up that this is just a rumour at the moment... I don't want to get into trouble, I was just speculating.

I'm sure whatever Summer moves onto next, she will be fantastic.

To be fair, the rumour that Connie would close the show has been circulating for months - it is not a creation of allthatjazz. See this thread:

http://www.whatsonstage.com/board/index.ph...=sound+of+music

I understand that, but how much of what circulates on here actually turns out to be true?

But that's a different issue ... I was responding only to your statement that allthatjazz created the rumor.

If Connie is offered the SOM tour, it will be exactly the level to which she's suited, ie touring cast as opposed to high profile West End openings. Providing she can muster a less wooden acting ability, that is.

The producers may bring Connie back as SOM closes, to boost every last ounce out of her tv casting value at the box office. Once that popularity with normally non-theatregoing tv viewers dwindles, so does Connie's worth to the producers, whereas Strallen's all round talent will continue to get her roles.

The only way the SOM will be sucessful again at the box office or on a tour is with Connie back in the lead role.ALW was responsible for it coming back to the West End and wether you like it or not Connie Fisher was the reason for its sucsess as bookings show

Sadly that is right, Dazzle. People book to see the face off the telly. That says it all.

Oh come on! I'm not a fan of 'reality TV' either but Connie is a truly talented girl, and a great actress. You should always give credit where credit is due.

You are wrong there.People came to see Connie because she is a talented performer both as an actress and as a singer.You will see that when Caught in a Trap is aired.By all accounts and this is a critics words"it was amazingly good there were lots of laughs and applause.I for one am really looking forward to seeing this.Also there will be a DVD of Caught in a Trap to be released after Christmas.This is because there is such a great interest from Elvis Presley fans s well.

I dont think any would say Connie has not got talent. I just much prefer Summer in the role and would like to see her close it. Connie has an amazing voice, I just really do not like her Maria.

I've been speaking with one of my friends (who's little sister is one of the Gretls) and she said that there is no need to be concerned as she is 99% sure Connie isn't coming back to close. Saying that her sister is only contracted til November and it could all be being kept hush hush!

Connie is a "great actress"? That's ridiculous. You'll be telling us she's a "star" next.

I'm not saying that Connie doesn't have talent. I'm saying Summer Strallen has the greater ability to apply it. Connie needs to gain experience and then we'll see if she has the makings of a musical theatre star.

I guess this really hinges on what constitues a "Star" doesn't it.

Over the course of 18 months I have seen the show more than 20 times, and have seen 5 different Maria's including 2 of the understudies. They all bought something differnt to the role.

I personally preferred Connie's performances as I felt she was most like the character in the movie, was the most believable and she bought an innocence to the role.

In my humble opinion, Aiofe had the best voice but lacked chemistry with the part and the Captain and Summer bought a much bigger comedy element to the role but was, at times drowned out by the orchestra and often speaks too fast. That said, they are all, professional, excellent performers and have "Starred" in this show.

Does that constitue them being a "Star" ?

I don't think it really matters which "Maria" closes the show but Connie clearly was the biggest audience puller, so would be more likely to end the show with a Bang.

Summer must realise this and, as previously said on here she is a true professional so will no doubt go with whatever decision is made.

I am planning to see it again before it closes

Busymum.

I believe it received its notices last night. Closing February.

It certainly did. And it will close at the end of February. And without Connie.

What's going to happen to the flying saucer?

It has been confirmed that the production will close on the 21st February, followed by a tour with Connie playing the lead. The tour will be announced in the next couple of weeks.

Urrrgh. I'll be sad saying goobye to Summer!Maria. I will make the effort to go see Connie if this is true though, I want to have an informed opinion of her.

It is definately true. Connie says she is 80% sure she is doing it . I for one cant wait to see Connie on the road. I dont think it will be touring all around the Uk , I believe its only going to a few venues .

.
Yes i for one cant wait to see Connie back in the Sound of Music and will definately go to see it again with her in it.

It is going to be interesting to see if Connie does go with SOM on tour.I shal look forward to hearing about it in a news letter from her if she is

Connies newsletter will be out soon , She is working on it now .

I know Connie is working on her next news letter,she told me last Saturday when I saw her at TPOS

Sorry put the reply in the wrong place!!

Can only seem to view the posts in the topics as a print version,I don't know why!!!

Then it's 80% true from Connie's point of view
Who know's how true from the point of view of casting, producers etc

I'm kind of glad it's Connie doing the tour and not Summer. I want to be able to see Summer in other things and I really do want the chance for Connie to prove me wrong. I wouldn't mind Aoife or Gemma covering her though.

I'm nervous about how the set and everything will work with a tour though; the sets are part of the reason I love the London production and I can't see touring venue's being able to facilitate those types of sets :S

Am off to see Gemma next week as Maria. Am excited as she's one of my favourites in the ensemble and know she will be fantastic.

I dont know what set they are using it will probably be the Palladium set. Like I said I dont think it is going all around the UK it is only going to big theatres. There are only 3 venues that have been named.

Could you possibly say which venues they are??

I cannot say yet , But there will be an official announcement soon.

awesomeeeeeeeeeeeee! hope there is one near me!

Wow so do I but I will definitely travel if Connie does end up playing Maria!!!

I'll travel a reasonable distance. A little apprehensive about seeing her... but do want to so I can say I've seen her and have an informed opinion. I really hope she impresses me. She'll never beat Summer for me though.

Dont think you will have to travel far depends where you are located. Why are you apprehensive about seeing Connie? I aint seen Summer and dont intend going to see her. I have nothing against Summer but Connie stands out for me and I want to have that memory . And when you do go and see Connie I hope she can impress you . And I am sure she will.

I'm apprhensive as I am a big Summer fan. Summer was the only reason I went to see the show in the first place but then I gradually fell in love with the show. I didn't watch HDSAPLM before I'd seen the show but I have since and don't get the connection with Connie that I did from Summer. I think Connie has an amazing voice but I'm not sure I like her take on the character. I think it comes down to the fact that Summer IS Maria for me; I'm even apprehensive to see Gemma next week and I'm a huge Gemma fan!!

I expect I will like Connie but I'm pretty sure she won't match up to Summer for me.

No offence Strallenfan, but I don't think anyone here is expecting you to prefer Connie or Gemma to Summer. Probably because you saw Summer first and that always makes a difference to how you feel the role should be played. You feel a connection with Summer, but hundreds and thousand felt a connection with Connie. This is undeniable, because she sold out the largest theatre in London for 18 months. I love Summer too, but I don't think she's sold out 18 shows let alone months. But more importantly, we know what you're going to say because your name is 'Strallenfan' :-)

How do you know my name isnt about Scarlett or Zizi? No I totally agree with the fact that others will have connected with Connie. I don't think I would have because I didn't like the show before hand, so if I had gone I would have probably come away liking her but not loving her. But who's to say..

I'm going to say though that I don't think the show was doing as bad as everyone made out it was doing. Now things are dying down; yes ticket sales are poorer but I don't think that has anything to do with Summer's ability. More to do with the fact that Connie had more publicity and the show was selling to people who weren't necissarly musical fans. The Hollyoaks thing worked for the most part but it didn't really have the pulling power that HDYSAPLM had; Summer was not in Hollyoaks long enough to make a big enough impact on the nation like Connie had done. However, almost every single time I've gone (and that is a lot. trust me!) it has been 90% full. And I tend to go on a Tuesday/Wednesday evening, not weekends when it's busier.

I have nothing against Connie or her fans. I applaud the fact that she carried the show for the amount of time she did. And I am genuinely pleased that Connie will be doing the tour.