INTERVIEW: Connie Fisher brings Sound of Music show to Llandudno

THE song-filled peaks of the Austrian countryside will be brought to North Wales next month when The Sound Of Music visits Llandudno for an extended stay.
Running between May 11-29, the Pioneer caught up with star of the show Connie Fisher to talk about musicals, TV competitions and her frantic wedding preparations.

"I find it quite traumatic because I know what they're going through," said Connie.
No, she is not talking about the hundreds and thousands of people who have flocked to theatres across the country to see her play Maria in the classic musical The Sound Of Music.

She is instead empathising with the contestants of Andrew Lloyd Webber's most recent TV talent search for a musical star in BBC's Over The Rainbow.

Having made waves in the musical theatre world after being crowned the winner in How Do You Solve A Problem Like Maria?, it is hard to believe she has been synonymous with the role for almost four years.

"It does feel like yesterday because I've been playing it for so long," mused Connie. "I have stopped and done other things as well.
"[I think] it's good to have training before launching into a program like that. [These shows are] a great way to revive and bring a new musical theatre audience. I have people at the stage door who have never been to a theatre before."

Friendly and enthusiastic while talking from Aberdeen, Connie's eclectic CV already includes television actor, radio presenter and recording artist; but it is playing endearingly inadequate nun Maria which she enjoys returning to.

The tale of the Von Trapp family re-connecting through the arrival of a feisty new nanny - played by Connie - and their discovery of music while escaping the Nazi occupation is a story few are not familiar with. But it is on stage where it really comes to life.

"It's a fairytale. It's a love story. It's one of the best plays ever written, and best on the stage," Connie enthusiastically jabbered. "And it's got kids in it, the most catchy songs - they are so easy to learn. That's what's great about a musical - if you can sing the songs back after. And it's very funny - much funnier than the film!"

Clearly still passionate for the role, taking it on the road has brought her closer together with her co-stars ("It must be a touring thing. We're like one big family."); but her family will soon be getting larger with wedding preparations currently underway.

"They say the most stressful things are moving house, getting married and.... "

The Sound Of Music?

"Yes! The Sounds of Music! That should be there.
"Being a bride-to-be I'm trying to get fit. I go to the gym to get my stamina up. Everyone has a routine on tour. I go to the gym, I go sight-seeing, discover cities, go shopping.
"But September has been booked off - he's very patient with the whole tour thing - then it's back on tour for three months. Then I can play wifey for a while."

With so many interests and accomplishments, what does the future hold for Connie Fisher?

"I don't think I could play Maria for ever," she confirmed. "I would like to try and do as many things as I can; show as many sides of the crystal.
"Presenting and radio would be great. I really enjoyed radio - it's what I wanted to do originally. At the same time I like to be doing stuff in my life - I'm planning now [for the wedding] and like to do things all the time. I'm always juggling!"