Aspects of Maria
What attributes are needed to solve a problem like Maria?
Andrew Lloyd Webber and producer David Ian have firm ideas about what their Maria should be like, but what do you think?
Use the form at the foot of the page to tell us what characteristics Maria should possess. In the meantime here's a selection of Andrew and David's thoughts.
I believe that all the productions of The Sound of Music in the past have cast a girl too old. - Andrew Lloyd Webber
She's only got to be funny. She's only got to be able to act. She's only got to be able to sing. It's quite simple... we're just looking for a star, that is all. - Andrew Lloyd Webber
Maria truly for me has got to be someone who has got a real personality. - David Ian
I would hope that when people vote they do realise that they've got to think of the kid too. That she's really got to be able to stand up there and make us really believe that it was worth all this effort. - Andrew Lloyd Webber
There is a tomboy in Maria, there is fun. - David Ian.
We've got to find a Maria who is that much younger, so that the story is that more daring. - Andrew Lloyd Webber
Send us your comment now. We'll publish the best on this page.
paula A
In the past they have cast a girl too old.
She's only got to be funny. She's got to be able to act. She's got to be able to sing. It's quite simple... we're just looking for a star.
someone who has got a real personality.
she's really got to be able to stand up there and make us really believe that it was worth all this effort.
There is a tomboy in Maria, there is fun.
someone who is capable of being sunny and radiant but also possess the ability to be serious and responsible
We've got to find a Maria who is that much younger, so that the story is that more daring.
A tomboy climbs a tree and scrapes her knee
You have to FEEL her
it's simple........IT'S BRIONY!!
anniebel@btinternet.com
Very much like Connie I reckon.
Nicky
I don't know about getting a Maria but I bet Lloyd Webber is kicking himself that he didn't know about Simona before he cast Evita....
Karen
LOVING Leanne!!! She is naturally talented, innately watchable and totally what Maria should be; spirited, sparkling and totally natural. Leanne to win!!!!
Gill
The sound of music was spectacular and it conveys such an excellent message that a young girl who hasn't been 'spoilt' with song training should play the part.
siobhan
siobhan would be maria, strong character, beautiful, infectious personality, talented.
Stella
I think she has to be a natural sort of girl - little if any make up, prepared to look a mess as Julie Andrews did when the boat turned over. And, to have a romantic side to her. Not much to ask for!!!
Rebecca
A tomboy climbs a tree and
scrapes her knee. Julie Andrews is the best!!!!
katy
i thikn maria shold be like kirsty.... out going, tomboy, funnnnnnnnny, pretty and she is just the best she has us all in stiches! she is very gentle daring and ethusiastic.
Gill
They keep emphasising that she climbs a tree and scrapes her knee etc and that makes her a tomboy...BUT...also..'underneath her wimpole..she has CURLERS in her hair...so she is feminine too!! Pity about Bryony...she was so heartwarming.xx
Tony Doughty
After watching and listening to both Lord Webber's and David's criteria for Maria...it's simple........IT'S BRIONY!!
Maria!
As my name sake, I think Maria ahould be just like me. I am fun, happy, kind, caring, sense of adventure and mischief.
B. Purcell
The waif with attitude. The sarky rebel with the voice like velvet. The convent schoolgirl - though she hates to admit it. The least likely love choice; the most obvious champion of childhood fun. The instinctive anti-fascist.A true original with something unique that no one else hss brought to the role.
EMILY
David G Smith
I agree with Andrew in that a more youthful fun loving Marie is needed. Confidence rather than drama school training is important as everyone can learn how to develop what is the magic that is live theatre.
barbara brown
maria should be a girl with a unique and likable personality, someone who is capable of being sunny and radiant but also possess the ability to be serious and responsible
Karolina
Knowing that Julie Andrews is just unbeatable and will remain the ultimate Maria for ever, it will be difficult to find somebody suitable. I think she must convey happiness that could be associated with a ray of light and be able to convince us that dancing and singing on the top of a hill is *genuinely* on the top of her agenda.
Lucy Coulson
She has to be a little rough around the edges but well meaning, basicly normal, not sexy, not totally tom boy and not a saint
Susan
I think that Maria should be fun and have a twinkle in her eye! I thought ulie Andrews was TOO British! Maria was Austrian so a perfect upper crust accent is wrong!!
Looby
I think Maria should be creative, strong, well-mannered, patient, loving, kind and a true romanticist.
Lynn
It's all very well saying she has to be young and tomboyish - but she also has to have something that will allow us to believe that she's old enough to be fallen in love with by the older man, and to return his love in an 'adult' fashion
Ember
She should possess real character and have boundless energy and enthusiasm that really shows in her acting.
Kurzynski Paola
Maria must strike you the minute you see her !!!!! No second thoughts . You have to FEEL her.
elisa scaravetto
surely blond (like me, of course). smart, funny, kind, sensual and always smiling. but most of all she must have character and personality
lauren
a live wire! fun, enthusiastic, daring, witty and talented.
Chris
It is impossible to duplicate Julie Andrews as Maria. Any new Maria should go in a different direction -- sort of like a cross between Mary Tyler Moore (in her younger days) and Brittany Spears (before she was pregnant, again).
gary
She is Gentle
she is wild
she's a riddle
she's a child
she's a headache
she's an angle she's agirl
she's as flighty as a feather
she's adarling she's a demon
SHE"S LEANNE
Tom
I think Maria should be like Siobhan - a little less jolly hocky sticks than Julie Andrews and a lot more sexy!
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