Julie Andrews Makes London Stage Comeback

Musical legend Julie Andrews is returning to a London stage for the first time in 30 years, bringing her one-off show An Evening with Julie Andrews to the O2 Arena on 8 May 2010.

The 74-year-old Oscar winner will be joined by an ensemble of five other performers and backed by the London Philharmonic Orchestra for the concert, which will feature songs from her stage and screen hits, which include The Sound of Music, Mary Poppins and My Fair Lady.

In a statement, the British-born star said: “To perform once again in my homeland on the London stage will be a wonderful moment – it is where it all began for me. I am so excited to be able to share a brand new work with audiences.”

The singer damaged her voice following surgery to remove non-cancerous nodules on her vocal chords in 1997, and has rarely sung live since then.

Speaking to The Times, Andrews’ manager Steve Sauer said: “Julie cannot sing as she once did. Fortunately she has subsequently been able to regain some of the notes she was once well known for. The show will be a beautifully woven blend of her singing along with her guest stars.”

Although best known for her musical roles, in recent years Andrews has become known to a new generation thanks to family films such as Shrek and The Princess Diaries. Her many awards include an Oscar for Mary Poppins and a lifetime achievement award from the Screen Actors Guild of America, which she won in 2007.