Details announced for Lloyd Webber’s The Sound of Music

Published Tuesday 16 May 2006 at 18:20 by Alistair Smith

Andrew Lloyd Webber’s new production of The Sound of Music will open in the West End at the London Palladium on November 14, following previews from November 3.

With music by Richard Rodgers and lyrics by Oscar Hammerstein II, the new production will be directed by Jeremy Sams, with choreography by Arlene Phillips, design by Robert Jones, sound by Mick Potter, lighting by Mark Henderson and musical supervision by Simon Lee.

The role of Maria will be chosen through a Pop Idol-style television audition process, which will be fronted by Graham Norton. The stage production will be presented by David Ian, The Really Useful Group and Live Nation. Tickets will go on sale on June 11.

The Sound of Music originally premiered on Broadway in 1959, when it won six Tony Awards, including Best Musical. The show first opened in London in 1961 and its last London revival was in 1981, both productions having record-breaking runs. The 1965 Hollywood film, which starred Julie Andrews and Christopher Plummer, won five Oscars, including Best Picture.