Category Archives: Maria

AN angry Andrew Lloyd Webber went on live TV today to defend himself against accusations made over How Do You Solve A Problem Like Maria?
Cynics have continued to snipe about the BBC1 show since Connie Fisher won the role of Maria von Trapp in a new stage production of The Sound of Music.
Rehearsals for the London Palladium musical, which opens in November, began at 10.30am today.
But first Lord Webber got in touch with BBC Breakfast and asked to go on the programme so he could set the record straight – and also revealed he was thinking of taking out a libel action.
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ABI Finley has no regrets: “I’m the luckiest nearly-Jewish nun in the world.”
I spoke to Abi after writing yesterday’s blog on her dramatic exit from How Do You Solve A Problem Like Maria?
She was astonished that Andrew Lloyd Webber had suddenly mentioned Funny Girl on the live BBC1 show. Abi’s idol Barbara Streisand starred in both the original Broadway stage version and the subsequent film.
Celebrating her 24th birthday yesterday, Abi also revealed what the Lord of the theatre said to her after Saturday night’s programme and how she and best friend Aoife Mullholland will be back in this week’s grand final. All 10 Maria finalists will return to sing a special number.
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TEARS flowed as Abi Finley’s dream of playing Maria in The Sound of Music was shattered in dramatic fashion last night.
But the Prestwich student – who celebrates her 24th birthday today – has been tipped for stardom by Andrew Lloyd Webber.
Amid claims of stage management and jammed phone lines, it was so long, farewell for Abi when she lost in a sing off with her best friend Aoife Mullholland.
The semi final of BBC1’s How Do You Solve A Problem Like Maria? did throw up a surprise, with Helena Blackman making it through to next Saturday’s final, alongside favourites Siobhan Dillon and Connie Fisher.
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HOW Do You Solve A Problem Like Maria? Well, with just two weeks to go, you change the format to reduce the risk of the public picking the wrong girl.
Five potential Marias remain after two hopefuls – Simona and Leanne – were predictably sent home by Andrew Lloyd Webber in last night’s BBC1 show.
But in a move designed to avoid a possible theatrical disaster, just three girls will compete in the final a week on Saturday – not four as originally planned.
That will deprive the public of the chance to vote for one of their favourites in the final when, crucially, the decision on who wins will be theirs alone.
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ABI Finley was in tears after winning through last night to the next round of How Do You Solve A Problem Like Maria?
The Prestwich student’s performance was criticised by the judges after she had sung Nobody Does It Better in the first live BBC1 show, having shone in rehearsals.
But Abi, 23, now one of nine girls hoping to land the role of Maria von Trapp in a new London Palladium production of The Sound of Music, had an explanation. She couldn’t hear the music.
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ABI Finley aims to be one of your favourite things after winning through to the final ten in a TV search for a new West End star.
You may have seen the Prestwich student impress producer Andrew Lloyd Webber on Saturday’s edition of BBC1’s How Do You Solve A Problem Like Maria?
Now Abi, 23, could be in line to take the starring role in a new production of The Sound of Music, which opens at the London Palladium in November.
Her ambition is “to be the first Jewish nun”. That will be tested when we get to vote for our favourites in a six-part series of live shows, hosted by Graham Norton, starting this coming Saturday. And there’s already been a twist in the tale.
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LET’S start at the very beginning. A very good place to start.
How Do You Solve A Problem Like Maria? Well, you can find out on BBC1 this Saturday night, with more details in tomorrow’s M.E.N. Television page feature.
The Sound of Music is, arguably, the greatest musical story of all time. The original Broadway show was turned into that classic 1965 film starring Julie Andrews – and is still one of many people’s favourite things.
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