• Maria |
• News |
• 31 July 2006

The Auditions

Our experts set about the task of solving a problem like Maria.

Thousands of hopefuls turned up at the regional Maria auditions and Saturday's opening show traced the story of how just fifty were chosen to enter Andrew Lloyd Webber's Maria School.

The good, the bad and the slightly eccentric gave it their all for our travelling band of judges.

Two hundred artists were eventually invited back to the London recalls, which involved David Ian, Zoe Tyler and John Barrowman looking down on high as our would-be Marias did their best to impress.

Some of the fifty finalists were easy to select - Siobhan clearly caught Ian's eye - but our three experts struggled to fulfil Andrew's desire to find a Maria that he could believe climbed trees and be just darned funny.

In a break between his hectic schedule, Andrew watched in horror as some candidates slipped from his grasp – rejected by his hand-picked team of experts. Rather than risk losing his star, Andrew chose to play the boss card and invited four 'rejects'.

They weren't the only ones to be given a second chance. Recalling how Maria had come back from the abbey and given it another go, and egged on by Graham, Briony returned to prove she could banish her nerves. It worked; Ian repeated the words 'You could be Maria' one last time.

Tune in this Saturday at 6.50pm and 9.25pm on BBC One to see how our potential Maria's fair at Maria School and who the ten finalists will be.

In the mean time, click here to relive the auditions in our gallery.

Send us your comment now. We'll publish the best on this page.

Billy
Connie will win she has it all

Diana
Soibhan, you brought me to tears tonight, you were outstanding. x

Steven
Fantastic performance from Abi last week but Connie is the best overall so far. Siobhan and Leanne are both good too. Simona would be great as Eva Peron but Maria? Looking forward to tonight's show.

???????
why does simona's accent matter i mean she clearly loves what she does the judges should listen to john and give her a chance shes really good!!!!

Mathilda
I think Aoife should win because she is a good actress as well as a great singer. She also looks like Maria! My family think she is the best we all love her so much! Please make Aoife win Please please please.

Justin
I love all the Marias - I just can't decide! Can't wait for this weeks show. Maybe I make my mind up tonight.

Carrie
Leanne should win, she is so right for Maria. Looking forward to hearing what she's got this week.

Imogen
Loving this show. My money is on Connie.

connie
connie and abi in finale!!!! u are fantastic ps great name!

Lilly
Siobhan you are an amazing singer.

rosa
abi,u r g8 g8 g8 g8 g8!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! either u or connie should win! your last song was UNBELIVEABLE u sent shivers up my spine! i shall have to dive into my cupbords for my fishnet tights! luv u xxx

Jess
You are my sister's favourite but for me, Maria can't have an accent... maria is traditional, to me. its good that simona is working hard and putting all her effort into it, if she didn't, she wouldn't be there now. i wish her good luck but i dont think she is what the public would want as a Maria. x

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