Andrew Lloyd Webber
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BBC1 formally announced a nationwide television search to find a new star to play Maria in the forthcoming West End revival of
The Sound of Music. Andrew Lloyd Webber and Live Nation impresario David Ian are co-producing the musical later this year.
In the primetime Saturday night programme, entitled How Do You Solve a Problem Like Maria? that will be hosted by Graham Norton, the fate of 10 contestants will be decided following open auditions in Belfast, Cardiff, Manchester, Edinburgh and London. Under the gaze of the TV cameras, they will undergo constant training and perform live for an expert panel and more, importantly, the public, who themselves will vote for their favourite to win.
"I have always had a passion for discovering and nurturing new talent and this will be a fantastic opportunity for a young artist to become a real star", said Lloyd Webber in a statement. "I'm particularly pleased that, for the first time, the search will be open to everybody. Never before have young musical theatre performers had such an opportunity to show their talents on primetime television."
The open auditions will, of course, be open to existing professionals as well as aspiring newcomers, though whether any established names would want to participate remains to be seen. The stated hope, however, is to find a new talent: according to a statement from producer Ian, "As a theatre producer, I know the hard work that goes into musical theatre and how very important it is to keep finding new talent for these starring roles. I'm thrilled to be working with the BBC on this national search—we really are looking for someone special."
The series, scheduled to be aired later this year at a date yet to be announced, will consist of pre-recorded audition shows, live shows plus a live results show. A bursary will also be set up under the programme's auspices to channel money earned from the television votes into giving hopefuls a chance to learn more about, and get a foothold into, the world of musical theatre.
The production of The Sound of Music is set to open at the London Palladium in the autumn, under the direction of Jeremy Sams.