In what will mark his musical theatre debut, award-winning Scottish actor Gray O’Brien joins Bill Kenwright’s spectacular five-star production of The Sound of Music as Captain von Trapp.
Gray, who played ruthless businessman Tony Gordon in Coronation Street, will join BBC One’s The Voice runner-up Lucy O’Byrne, who will star as Maria von Trapp, in The Sound of Music at The Lowry from Monday 14 December – Saturday 2 January.
Although best known for his three year performance 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.
Lucy O’Byrne, who will also be making her musical debut, 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 debut as the young postulant at The Broadway, Peterborough this December.
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 Favorite Things’, ‘Do-Re-Mi’, ‘Climb Ev’ry Mountain’, ‘So Long, Farewell’ and of course, the title song, ‘The Sound of Music’.
