"How do you solve a Problem Like Maria"

ROBERT M. · Post by **ROBERT M.** » Thu Sep 21, 2006 9:54 pm

I had my fingers on the keyboard ready Amanda, until I read your follow up post

Lena & Harry Smith · Post by **Lena & Harry Smith** » Fri Sep 22, 2006 10:55 am

Yes, picture the setting Mike, and we've been there.

the house is packed to capacity and from behind the curtain out steps......Ladies and Gentlemen due to unforeseen circumstances.......followed by a heavy but incredibly polite sigh in unison all over the theatre (well you've coughed up an arm and a leg for the tickets to see the show, so you stay or go home.

jon · Post by **jon** » Fri Sep 22, 2006 4:30 pm

I see according to today's newspaper reports that Emma Williams has dropped out of The Sound of Music. Some reports claim she objected to being referred to as an "understudy" by ALW, though the truth of this is suspect as her resignation announcement was apparently made as part of a joint statement with ALW himself. No doubt there is more to it than the papers suggest, and Connie, it's said, will now do the 8 shows a week, though some are saying Helena should be called in s "understudy"/backup.

ROBERT M. · Post by **ROBERT M.** » Fri Sep 22, 2006 5:43 pm

Connie needs an understudy, as her voice is not used to the rigours of performing 8 times a week. Her voice will need a rest at some point, or it will be ruined eventually

michduncg · Post by **michduncg** » Fri Sep 22, 2006 6:58 pm

Ahh - well Emma Williams was the other actress that they had lined up! Good to see my contacts were correct about that. She was fantastic as Truly Scrumptious in the west end version of Chitty. I saw it when it first opened, with Michael Ball starring. It was an amazing production, with the car and some fantastic sets, and amazing cast of well known stars. I've just realised that I need to go and update my favourite film moments comments, as I missed out references to Chitty Chitty Bang Bang!

Any way, back to Emma Williams. Its a shame that won't get the opportunity to open in Sound of Music, but I'm sure there'll be other opportunities!

Lena & Harry Smith · Post by **Lena & Harry Smith** » Fri Sep 22, 2006 9:40 pm

Hi Jon, Robert, Mike, ALW may now be wishing he had never started all this. but there has to be an understudy, so perhaps Helena will get the chance.
Elaine Paige spoke quite seriously about this show last Sunday and said that taking on a role such as this, and thinking that it is going to be easy is far removed from the truth and reality of it all, and she would know about this of course, but Connie, like all performers has to start somewhere.

Lena & Harry Smith · Post by **Lena & Harry Smith** » Fri Sep 22, 2006 11:51 pm

Hi All, yes just seen on teletext. Emma Williams has withdrawn her services and Connie Fisher will appear in all Eight performances during the week unless indisposed.

jon · Post by **jon** » Sat Sep 23, 2006 1:58 pm

Yes, but Emma Williams, albeit the same age as Connie, is EXPERIENCED in live musical theatre whereas Connie is not. So Emma can't be an understudy. Nuff said.

ROBERT M. · Post by **ROBERT M.** » Sat Sep 23, 2006 4:12 pm

jon I disagree with your comments above, as I think an "understudy" is supposed to be the lesser known of the performers, but even though Emma Williams has more stage experience than Connie, I would say that Connie is now the most famous of the two, so for that reason, Emma Williams would HAVE to be the "understudy". But she obviously doesn't like that idea, so has left the production, maybe she is sulking a little bit, as Connies popularity is so strong

Lena & Harry Smith · Post by **Lena & Harry Smith** » Sat Sep 23, 2006 5:36 pm

That's right Robert, like it or not understudy was what Emma was going to be for this show anyway, in this case it isn't about who is the most experienced of the two, otherwise what was the point of this weekly show to find a Maria at all. Yes Emma has the experience but in spite of Connie's confidence and assurance that she can do this, and we don't want to sound pessimistic, who knows if she will be able to stay the course (we sincerely hope she does) but if not then we'll all know that experience does really count for a show of this magnitude.

ROBERT M. · Post by **ROBERT M.** » Sat Sep 23, 2006 11:48 pm

I still think Connie needs an "understudy" just to give her a breather now and again, to charge her batteries up and to save her voice from time to time

Gray · Post by **Gray** » Sun Sep 24, 2006 6:18 pm

Hello all!
Do you know I could be the understudy!! I look after 6 children! That's stamina! But no I don't have the voice, can't sing for toffee and have two flat feet!!

Glad Connie has got the show!!

Love AmandaX

Lena & Harry Smith · Post by **Lena & Harry Smith** » Sun Sep 24, 2006 6:39 pm

Hi Amanda, we can see what you mean.

Why not audition for the X Factor.

ROBERT M. · Post by **ROBERT M.** » Sun Sep 24, 2006 10:19 pm

But don't forget to have a couple of Smirnoff vodkas first

by the way are all 6 kids yours and Grays

Lena & Harry Smith · Post by **Lena & Harry Smith** » Mon Sep 25, 2006 9:11 am

It's official, HDYDAPLM was no fix.
Andrew Lloyd Webber was on Breakfast Television this morning to confirm this. Connie won by a staggering 1 point 4 Million votes and he didn't know the result himself until the end.
He said Emma withdrew from the show and it was all very amicable.
Helena and Siobhan have show and record contracts and so has Abi, but he is thrilled to bits with Connie and so confident by what she has done already and said what a star she has already shown to be and rehearsels begin today.