Michael Praed and Connie Fisher were on BBC 1 talking about the tour this morning. Here is the link.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/programmes/breakfast/8151968.stm

not botherd, awful she is

Yet you bothered to click on the thread and reply. Are you sure you didn't mean to say "I don't like her and it really annoys me that she has success"?

Connie Fisher is always going to get negativity because of how she was cast - I have to say though she gave a fantastic performance as Maria - a really fresh take - and she rarely phoned them in like a certain more experienced star of the Sound of Music that will remain nameless...!

Personally I am looking forward to catching her performance once more!

Why the dig at Strallen? Why do you have to pick at another performer to give compliments to another.. They are both great Maria's, and people look for different things..

I think the fact you knew who I was talking about shows something...!

You make a fair point though -I have to be honest I saw a wonderful performance from Summer Strallen - I also saw 2 terrible ones but we all have our off days and your right - I shouldn't dig to make one look better.

I guess I was just making the point that despite the huge experience and training Summer had Connie's experience was easily of a comparable standard...

I seen her a stupid amount of times I dont want to admit to and I only seen one off performance. So that must be saying something? I am probably a little bias but I am generally fair in these things. I personally don't like Connie's interpretation but I can see why people enjoy her!

I hope Connie does well in the tour, it must have been a tough year for her with her operation and all her health issues. I'm looking forward to a couple of trips myself, once with Connie and once with Kirsty. It'll be nice to see some of the old ensemble aswell as Claire as Liesl and Jeremy as Rolf who I never got to see in London!

Awww Connie looks really well ! I cannot wait for the tour now I may be going a few times myself!
I am hearing a rumour thay Connie will only be performing in December in Manchester and not the January . Does anyone know anything about this?

It has been a tough year for Connie but it's onward and upwards from now!

I heard they have had to lower the keys this time for her because of her voice problems..I wish her well.

Lovely interview, Connie is amazing and looked as beautiful as ever and very well too. Cannot wait to see her on the 26th July in Cardiff!

Phoebe

Ooh! Phoebe, lucky you! I hope you have a great time. Come back and tell us all about it.

I'm really not someone who dislikes Connie, but I have to say that I thought her voice sounded far from healthy during that interview - quite strained and husky in parts. It's a real shame, but I do wonder if it will ever really recover, or if she'll suffer with on and off vocal problems for the rest of her career. She has a really lovely tone vocally (and I don't mind it being slightly breathy) but it's not a sign of a particularly healthy voice.

You have all said about Connie Fisher - what about Michael Praed - who was with her, sitting right next to her in fact, and who is to star in the role of Captain Von Trapp. I for one think that he will be magnificent in this role. I have seen a live performance of his when I saw him in An Ideal Husband last year - no singing , but his performance was first class, and I simply couldnt get enough. I have seen the downloadable version of Beautiful and Damned, in which he starred as Scotts - Fitzgerald, as its a musical, he does sing in this, and beautifully too I might add. Has a voice that both bewitches and touches you to the very core of your soul, grabs it and doesnt ever let go -quite simply the easiest voice to listen to, and the most stunning performance to watch. So , with that in mind, I am sure that his performance in the starring role of Captain Von Trapp will be nothing short of wonderful.

really

Are you his Mum? I don't recall being bewitched either of the times i've seen him onstage.

We all mentioned Connie because she's the leading lady and the main role. I'm sure Michael Preed will be great but until I've seen him in the role, I'm not going to make any assumptions. They don't really take singing into account with CVT anyway, look at Simon MacCorkindale (as much as I loved him!)

Well I think that remark about being his Mum, is rather uncalled for.

Perhaps you are one of the few who are not bewitched by his performance, after all it 'takes all sorts.'
I have seen him several times myself and I can assure you there are plenty of us who are.

In fact Michael is the reason I am seeing SoM, Connie isn't performing on the day I go.

I wonder how they'll do the mountain at the beginning - surely they can't have anything like at the palladium on the road.

The mountain is going on tour with them .

LOL you kill me, you really do, you seem to have missed your calling in life as a comedian !!!!! How can i possibley be his mum when hes a good 8 or s years older than me you plank LOL but you are funny, and thank you so much for making me laugh "are you his mum " - LOL LOL LOL - seriously brightened my day. Well so what if you werent bewitched, myself and contless others have been , your entitled to your view just as I am mine - and he is to me, and countless others, quite simply a polished and talented actor, of which there are precious few in todays industry. I have my thoughts and views and you have yours and thats how it should be. But just because YOU didnt like him, doesnt give you the right to be rude - as funny as it was.

Well I cannot wait to see Mr Praed , I am sure he will be a great captain . You can see the chemistry already building between him and Connie .

Thanks so much Joan! I sure will!

I also cannot wait to see Michael Praed, I am sure he will be absolutely fantastic, same as I am ecstatic to be seeing the lovely Maggie Preece as the Mother Abbess again, I think she is just outstanding. Gave a wonderful performance at the Palladium.

I completely agree Gabz!

Phoebe

I'm sorry that my flippant comment regarding Mr Praed has been picked up on in such an obsesive MB fannish way. It was the 'his voice burning to the very heart of your soul' comment that did it! I'm sorry that his voice gives you heartburn, try gaviscon. He was dull in 'Copacabana' many moons ago and disppointing in 'Design for Living' too, but only in my opinion (pussy foot, pussy foot.) I'm sure he'll be just fine as CVT, it's not exactly John Valjean to sing is it? I'm quite looking forward to seeing it.

Well as you have an obviously poor opinion of Michael and his talents, why bother to see him in SoM?
Perhaps it would be better to save your money for a trip to see "Cats" instead.

Thank you, Phoebe! I am really looking forward to your review.

I am also looking forward to seeing Michael and the rest of the cast of SOM. It should be fantastic.

Oh No , don't be sorry, I'm not. I think you are highly amusing, and was disappointed that you didnt reply sooner to the responses to your post I really enjoyed your comment yesterday, if a little rude, still makes me laugh when i read it But, here you are again, larger than life, - what took you so long ?I really have to say, you really should consider a career in comedy - but seriously - say what you think, just not the need to be quite so rude thats all - after all Have I been rude to you ? Gaviscon ? ewwww no, dont like the taste LOL and come on, there must be a singer somewhere that touches you in simiallar way - and I was being honest in my post, maybe a little over the top for your liking, , but thats me, and I am not going to apolgise for that. Those who I know who are supporters of Michael Praed, are not obesessed - we just appreciate talent when we see it. Thing is, a performer can only do the best with what he's been given. Like you say, performances that you saw him give were many years ago, and he , from what little i do know, is a perfectionist, always striving to be better than his last performance - and should be given credit for that, as not many performers are as dedicated to their craft. But, we are all entitled to our opinions, and I enjoy a lively discussion - so don't stop posting -

In response to "worried Guest", Your comments are appreciated, and I just wanted to re-assure you that I enjoy reading your posts - so, don't not post - please, and do say what you think, otherwise what would be the point. It's always nice to hear different points of view, and thoughts, and though rude , perhaps thats a little strong, after all its because that all us females are age sensitive LOL that it struck me as so, your first post was i thought very funny, as was indeed the remark about gaviscon LOL - and I appreciate a sharp wit and good sense of humour . I look forward to your next post with baited breath .

What a nice lady! None of my posts have been intentionally rude; just my sense of humour I guess which obviously plays well to the W.I. crowd

I never saw SOM in the West End and do hope to enjoy it on tour. The suggestion that I go and see 'Cats' has wounded me most. I've gone my whole life without enduring that torture and I'm not about to start now.....

What's the W I ? - oh, hang on , Women's Institute ? knitting and jam making ? is that it ? LOL Though I understand from my gran that it has changed somewhat these days her lot used to go to pubs playing in skittles competitions and come back half cut LOL Nice to see you posting. Have never been to see Cats myself either, never appealed to me, though my grandparents have, and they enjoyed it very much so. Havent seen SOM the stage version either, seen the film of course, but I dont really like Julie Andrews - though liked the film. I am looking forward to seeing the live show in Cardiff in August, as is my youngest child, who is also quite fond of Mr Praed. I do think that he is talented as i have well and truely stated before, and I think that he will more than do this role justice, and I know that i will come away from it once again bewitched by him- totally - - LOL

What I also meant to add when i mentioned that my youngest is quite fond of watching Mr Praed on stage and screen (in that she has seen him in Robin of Sherwood, and really enjoyed that) and and then on stage seeing him in AIH, is that as a result she has since become quite a fan of the theatre in general, I think that the whole thing totally left her in awe, and apart from when someone rather tall sat in front of her, and she had to then sit on my coat, on my knee for a while till they moved to another seat, to see some of the play, she really enjoyed the experience as a whole, and is quite looking forward to going to the theatre again - except this time we have a balcony seat, so that no one can spoil things for her by sitting in front of her.

Well you don't know what you are missing, "Cats" is a really great show.

I hope you do get to enjoy SoM on tour and perhaps you will revise your opinion of Mr Praed's talents.
If not, please remember just because you don't find him bewitching, there are a great many of us who do.
By all means express your opinion, but please can we have it without the caustic comments. Thank you!

Hello, Sammy! Welcome to the Whatsonstage forum!

I am sure you and your little one will enjoy SoM immensely. She will be even more captivated by Mr Praed ater she hears him sing, you both will.

I hope you have a wonderful time, do come back and tell us all about it.

Hello Joan.

Thank you for your kind welcome, and yes, if the clip of Connie in that interview on the Beeb the other day is anything to go by, I can hardly wait. I love the theatre, dont get to go that much, hardly at all in fact, but when I do, - Oh I am so captivated by the whole thing - that I dont ever want it to end.

Who needs Television and Films, when theres live theatre to go to - and especially when Michael Praed is performing. . that aside, I love the atmosphere, the anticipation, the hushed conversations all around you as you all sit and wait for the lights to go down and the curtain up everyone looking all clean and spruced up, and the air full of the scent of ladies perfume and mens aftshave or Eud de toilett I think they call it now LOL. (quite like the smell of mens aftershave , some are quite nice)

Then as the lights go down, the conversation slowly dies away, the curtain goes up, and the show begins - oooooo getting all goose bumpy just thiinking about it - that tingle of excitment and anticipation - Cant wait, me or my family. And as promised, to my daughter after she saw the balcony seats in the theatre in Bath, we are in a Balcony seat this time, no one to sit in front of us, she's just as excited about that I think LOL - I also enjoy the waiting to go, looking forward to the trip, the getting dressed up, the show, the whole thing, yes I want it to come as quickly as possible, but by the same token, I love that excitment that you get when your looking forward to going somewhere or doing something.

How lovely - to hear from someone who still gets excited by the whole MT experience and doesn't just criticise the show/cast etc etc. Have a really brilliant time Sammy.

Does anyone know where I can see a full cast list for this, please.

Here it is:

http://www.thesoundofmusictour.com/cast.php

Company Manager Neil White shares his touring experiences:

http://www.thesoundofmusictour.com/news/ne...ilwhite.php

Thanks for that link Joan.

I have read it, and its very enlightening. It's not that you are not aware of the work and effort that goes into something like SOM but reading something like that is certainly an eye opener. I must confess, I did wonder how on earth it would work going from venue to venue with such large scenery such as that mountain - well, from that clip that the Beeb showed of Connie singing "The HIlls........" I have to say, the scenery did look pretty spectaclar, and the practicalites and logistics of shifting something like that from one place to the next must create a bit of a headache to say the least, I have enough problems trying to pack the car when my son goes back to Uni after a long stint at home, so the thought of shifting that mountian, well rather them than me -then of course theres making sure that everyone is where they are supposed to be , the costumes, and suchlike - the list is endless - What is amazing is that they dont need MORE lorries. . I am really looking forward to going to see it, and will be even more appreciative of the thing as a whole, now that I have gleened some insight into things from that link. Thank you once again for posting it.

thanks

You are most welcome!

Yes, there is a great deal of work involved in getting a show like SoM on the road, it must be a nightmare at times.

Well I hope everything arrived safely and as the show opens today in Cardiff I would like to wish the whole cast, "Break a leg."

Well, SOM has had its opening performance today in Cardiff - I hope all went without a hitch. Would loved to have been there today, really would, but will just have to wait till its my turn to go on the 18th.

I am sure that Michael was dazzling and I bet he looked stunning, especially when in full Naval Uniform - and that the audience were just wowed by the whole thing. "sigh" still, will get to see it soon enough, though not QUITE soon enough LOL

I am so looking forward to seeing it, you have no idea, the closer we get to going, the more excited I get, althugh driving thrugh Cardiff is worrying me a little, not used to driving though large cities or the like, still sure i will manage, after all, look at the incentive.

Just to report the show went really well . Connie had a rapterous applause and a standing ovation .

Well done everyone!

Thank you, Gabz! I am so glad you enjoyed SoM and it all went off well. I can't wait to see it for myself in October.

I know you will have a wonderful time on the 18th, Sammy!

I can hardly contain my excitment , and its getting closer, and I am getting all goose bumpy just thinking about it. So glad that it went so well, the cast will have worked so hard, and what better than a full house and applause to raise the roof, bet Michael was absolutely dazzling and brilliant -

I did not go to the performance. I have a source close to Connie . I am going this Wednesday and I cannot wait!

Do not like the changes made from the London production... I know having Favourite Things in the show three times was a bit repetitive but I actually loved having it in the bedroom scene. Blah.

They had no choice . R&H people told them to go back to the original film . They were allowed to do it with the Palladium but because its a touring production they cannot use Favourite Things in the bedroom scene.

I believe its a different mountain as well .

I cannot wait to see the production on Wednesday now .

Well I hope you enjoy Wednesday's performance, Gabz. I'm sure you will. Do come back and tell us all about it.

For all you Michael fans his Edelweiss will have you in tears! very emotional!


Oh I will report back on Wednesday night .