Connie Fisher

Connie Fisher

Age:

Currently: Making her West End debut as Maria in The Sound of Music, a role she won after an eight-week “audition” in a weekly BBC televised competition, How Do You Solve a Problem Like Maria? that culminated in a public vote. The 10 finalists were groomed every week for the contest through singing, dancing and acting lessons in a residential “Maria School.” Was it the longest, most nerve-wracking audition process in history? “No, it was the most enjoyable one,” the appealingly unaffected Fisher says. “You get to go to Andrew Lloyd Webber’s house and swim in his pool. It was fantastic! I’d definitely go through that kind of audition process again. I was desperately trying to get my first job, so I think it was a brilliant way of allowing a drama school graduate to get one.”

Hometown: Born in Belfast, Northern Ireland, Fisher lived in Dorset until the age of six, when she moved to Pembrokeshire in Wales. She first came to London to attend Mountview Theatre School, where she achieved a first class honours degree in musical theatre. “I’ve been living near there in North London for four years,” she says, “but the week before I went to the Maria house, I moved to South London. I don’t really know where I live yet—I was just putting up my wardrobe last week.”

Both Hands: Fisher played several leading roles at Mountview, including Julie Jordan in Carousel. “To have done that role has given me an insight into Rodgers and Hammerstein and how much you’ve got to play with,” she says. “There is so much to discover in the text that four weeks [of rehearsal] isn’t really long enough.” Fisher arrived at The Sound of Music rehearsals well prepared since Maria was a role she’s always wanted to play. “For an opportunity to come up for my favourite role of all time was just amazing, and I grabbed it with both hands”. She’s also long been a Julie Andrews admirer. “I’m a massive fan—she’s been my idol since I was about six,” Fisher exclaims.

Hard Knocks: During her 18 months out of acting work, Fisher made ends meet by doing telesales. “I had such self-doubt when I was doing that,” she admits. What did she sell? “Advertising space—everyone needs advertising, don’t they?” She was also auditioning for everything she could. How many shows did she go up for? “Oh, about 20—over and over again. I’ve been to all the West End shows—name one and I’ve been for it,” she laughs. “I’ve sometimes been very close. I got to the final two in some cases and was told that I was pencilled in, but then the right person just didn’t leave and the opportunity didn’t come up.”

Connie Fisher

Someone Pinch Her: Fisher says she still can’t quite believe her luck. “It feels amazing to be doing this,” she gasps. “I can’t believe it. I feel like someone’s got to pinch me. It’s mad! It feels like a massive dream and almost like someone is going to burst my bubble anytime soon. It’s too good to be true. It’s the role I’ve always wanted to do as my first job, and I’m working with amazing professionals—people who are giving me advice everyday. It’s been a massive learning curve for me.” So what was the first day of rehearsal like? “It was extremely nerve-wracking for me,” she says. “But everyone was so accepting and so welcoming. To have cast it in such a controversial way, I expected some people to worry about the way it was cast, but they weren’t. They welcomed me with open arms, and nobody has been less than 100% supportive. They’re really lovely and the company is so joyous. It is much better than telesales!” Fisher is initially contracted for six months. “But I would like to do it forever! I say that now, but it hasn’t even opened yet. I’d like to have fun with it, and I hope that it gets better and better. I know the show will run—I just hope that it will run with me in it!”

Watchful Eye: But doesn’t she feel under the spotlight now? “We’re definitely in the watchful eye, but apparently The Sound of Music has never had a good review, so that’s a relief because no one’s expecting one. I think the show will carry itself and be a great success.” Fisher says that despite being under public scrutiny, she is still enjoying herself. Has she had any low moments so far? “I’ve got to say that I haven’t really had any,” she notes. “I haven’t had any time to have them. It’s been just one thing after another. I couldn’t have asked for better experience or better preparation.”