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Sound of mishap as leading actor quits
Tom Teodorczuk, Evening Standard6 Nov 2006
Andrew Lloyd Webber's new £4 million revival of The Sound Of Music was today thrown into turmoil when his leading man abruptly withdrew from the show after just two previews.
Simon Shepherd was to have played Captain Von Trapp alongside Connie Fisher, who won her part via the BBC reality TV show How Do You Solve A Problem Like Maria? But he has departed over creative differences.
Shepherd, 50, will be replaced by Alexander Hanson who will assume the role in time for The Sound Of Music's official opening at the Palladium on 15 November.
Lord Lloyd-Webber is believed to have been instrumental in making the change but friends of Shepherd are stressing it was mutual.
His departure follows that of Emma Williams, the "alternate" Maria, who dropped out in September reportedly upset that her role was downgraded after Fisher won the TV show.
A spokesman said: "Simon Shepherd, director Jeremy Sams and producers Andrew Lloyd Webber and David Ian agreed that his performance as Captain Von Trapp was not working within the production and therefore he has withdrawn from the show."
Shepherd's departure has taken theatreland by surprise. Although his main experience was in drama and theatre, he starred in the musical Spread A Little Happiness at the Whitehall Theatre in 1992.
Speaking of criticism of the method of casting Maria, Shepherd said last month: "She's going to be fantastic. I hope the detractors, and I understand why they have been like that, will be excited when The Sound Of Music opens."
Hanson, who has starred in Lloyd Webber musicals Sunset Boulevard and Aspects Of Love, is understood to be taking on the role at the end of this week. Understudy Christopher Dickins will take over until then.
Shepherd's agent Sheila Pym said: "Simon wants to wish Alexander Hanson the very best of the luck. It was a mutual decision and he does not want to make any further comment at this time."
Lord Lloyd-Webber has won damages from newspapers over false allegations that the TV show was rigged in favour of Fisher, 23, a former call centre worker from Pembrokeshire.
A West End insider said: "Lord Lloyd-Webber has never been afraid of making uncomfortable decisions such as this one. Roger Moore withdrew from Aspects Of Love and Faye Dunaway was replaced in Sunset Boulevard, both close to opening night."
Reader views (4)
At last I have found a website to express my 'embarrassment' at Simon Shepherd's performance last Saturday night. How was it not spotted that he was so miscast? He only escaped booing by a hairsbreadth. I enjoyed the rest of the show and felt Connie will hold her own as the weeks unfold. Her voice was pleasing but posture needs some attention. When not singing, she tended to scuttle and flap her arms around unnecessarily. She has very great potential. Leslie Garret was superb but should resist the temptation to insert herself between Maria and the Baron at final curtain. The Baroness was definitely not 'top drawer' but Max Detweiler held their scenes together superbly. The children were wonderful. Finally, I heard Arlene Philips say she had spent the last 6 weeks try to teach the Ensemble to waltz. Still a 'mountainous' task Arlene. Perhaps, also, can we have more glamorous costumes for the Ball scene and can the Wedding scene last more than 5 minutes.
- C Delahunty, London England, 07/11/2006 11:48
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Saw the Sound of Music last night (6/11/06) and it was fantastic!! Connie had obviously lost any nerves she might have had to start with and played her part exceptionally and Christopher Dickens was a fabulous Geog von Trapp. Personally I felt that Lesley Garrett needs to remember she is part of a company and not in her usual solo performance mode. The 'hill' part of the set was a little basic but that could not detract from a great show which rightly recieved a standing ovation throughout at the end. Bravo!
- Andrew, Hitchin, UK, 07/11/2006 09:53
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How do you solve a problem like Maria?
Not like that anyway.
What a disaster of a show “The Sound of Music” was, only the superb voice of Lesley Garrett saved the show from being a complete flop.
The staging and direction were at best ordinary. Simon Shepherd’s interpretation of Von Trapp was one of the most amateur performances I have seen on a London stage. His acting, as well his singing, was pathetic, to a point where it was hard to believe why he had been cast in the part. Will he last to the “opening night?” Connie was obviously very nervous and this showed in her stiffness and lack of movement.
The production differs from both the original stage production and film to such an extent that it was impossible to spot any sort of a love story. There was no feeling of emotion and passion from Von Trapp, Maria or the Baroness.
I would be interested to know whether or not all the staging effects were employed in this first night, I detected what appeared to be folded down gravestones on the “floating mountain” and these never appeared for use as the family “escape”, otherwise the Alps now have “rectangular” and “cross “ shaped rocks.
I have seen almost all the West End Musicals in the last 40 years and this was easily the worst. I cannot believe that this can possibly be an Adrew Lloyd Webber production. It looked little more than a school play.
- Mike, Burgess Hill, UK, 06/11/2006 20:13
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I just hope Alexander Hanson is as cute as Christopher Plummer...
- Maxine, Taipei, Taiwan, 06/11/2006 15:40
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