Nunn Bashes Maria Casting Approach???

Fresh criticism for Andrew Lloyd Webber and How Do You Solve a Problem Like Maria?, the BBC One TV search for the star of his upcoming production of The Sound of Music. This time from a source very close to home – Trevor Nunn, who directed Lloyd Webber’s last musical, The Woman in White, in the West End and on Broadway. Speaking in The Times today, Nunn said he found the TV show distasteful because of the way it demeans participants. “I think that what these reality programmes more or less rely on is the viewing public being witness to distress. Or being witness to coping with failure, or inability to cope with failure.” The practice of judges publicly commenting on performers’ weaknesses, he said, “is absolutely not how casting proceeds in the theatre under normal circumstances. It is much more to do with the respect of people and the encouragement of people…. The reason there is an appetite for it is because it is the opposite of what actually goes on.” He added: “I hope that casting doesn’t become a group of people behind a table saying ‘You’re out’, and watching them burst into tears.” According to the article, Nunn was on board to direct The Sound of Music but withdrew before arrangements were made for the TV casting programme, with which he did not want to become involved. The Rodgers and Hammerstein revival is instead being directed by Jeremy Sams, who has also not been seen on screen in How Do You Solve a Problem Like Maria?, where the panel of judges comprises co-producer David Ian, voice coach Zoe Tyler and actor John Barrowman, overseen by Lloyd Webber. Last week, casting – conducted by more conventional, less public methods – was announced for Nunn’s latest production, a new musical version of the Gershwins’ jazz opera Porgy and Bess (See News, 25 Aug 2006). Whatever one’s feelings about How Do You Solve a Problem Like Maria?, one thing’s for certain: it’s generated more column inches and airtime for theatre than anything else in years! The programme, hosted by Graham Norton, continues until 16 September 2006, when the winning Maria Von Trapp will be announced.

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