Gray O’Brien, who played ruthless businessman Tony Gordon in ITV’s Coronation Street and Lucy O’Byrne, the first classical singer to reach the final of BBC1’s The Voice, star in The Sound of Music at The Lowry from Mon 14 December 2015 – Sat 2 January 2016.
BBC1’s The Voice runner-up Lucy O’Byrne as Maria and award-winning Scottish actor Gray O’Brien as Captain von Trapp both make their musical theatre debuts in this spectacular five-star production of The Sound of Music, coinciding with the 50th anniversary of the film starring Julie Andrews.
Joining them on stage are Jan Hartley (Mother Abbess), Duncan Smith (Max), Isla Carter (Baroness Elsa), Kane Verrall (Rolf), Annie Horn (Liesl), Zoe Ann Brown (Sister Margaretta), Kate Scott (Sister Berthe), Tammy Davies (Sister Sophia), Jude Neill (Ursula), Anouska Eaton (Baroness Elberfeld), Jon de Ville (Franz), Pippa Winslow (Frau Schmidt), Grant Neil (Herr Zella), Scott Ainslie (Admiral von Schreiber), Piers Bate (Baron Elberfeld) and Lewis Barnshaw.
Lucy O’Byrne became a household name earlier this year when she shot to success as the runner-up in the live shows of the TV talent show. With chart-topper Will.i.am as her mentor, and biggest fan, Lucy made history as the first classical singer to reach the final, impressing the nation with her stunning vocal range. Now, having recently performed at the BBC Proms, she makes her musical debut as the young postulant, Maria.
Gray O’Brien played ruthless businessman Tony Gordon in Coronation Street, for which he won Villain of the Year at the British Soap Awards and Best Actor at the Inside Soap Awards, Gray is no stranger to leading television roles.
Previously, he has starred in Peak Practice in which he played the series regular character of Dr Tom Deneley for ITV and prior to that another series regular; Richard McCaig in Casualty for the BBC. Most recently, Gray was seen in the twelve part drama Titanic: Blood & Steel. His stage work includes staring opposite Peter Bowles in Anthony Shaffer’s Sleuth at The Apollo Theatre.
Produced by Bill Kenwright, directed by Martin Connor, choreographed by Olivier Award winner Bill Deamer, musical direction by David Steadman, this wonderfully lavish staging of the classic musical coincides with the 50th anniversary of the film version – the most successful movie musical in history.
It all began with the story of the Trapp Family Singers and Baroness Maria von Trapp’s 1949 autobiography, which inspired Richard Rodgers, Oscar Hammerstein II, Howard Lindsay and Russel Crouse to create a Broadway musical in 1959. The Sound of Music tells the true story of the world-famous singing family, from their romantic beginnings and search for happiness, to their thrilling escape to freedom as their beloved Austria becomes part of the Third Reich at the start of WWII.
The unforgettable score features some of the most memorable songs ever performed on stage, including ‘Edelweiss’, ‘My Favourite Things’, ‘Do-Re-Mi’, ‘Climb Ev’ry Mountain’, ‘So Long, Farewell’ and of course, the title song, ‘The Sound of Music’.
Listings Information
The Sound of Music
Mon 14 December 2015 – Sat 2 January 2016
Times: See website
Tickets: £23 – £39 (including £2 booking fee)
Lyric Theatre
