How do you solve a problem like replacing Connie Fisher? Turn to television, of course.

In his bravest experiment yet, Andrew Lloyd Webber merged fiction with fact to introduce his new Maria via the teenage soap opera Hollyoaks.

Instead of repeating the idea of holding the TV reality show auditions that made his Sound of Music musical such a hit, the composer worked with Channel 4 for months on a storyline in which he infiltrated his protegée Summer Strallen into the cast as a showbiz wannabe.

Review: Pure-voiced and girlish, new Maria lacks passion

He even made a cameo appearance on the serial when her character stalked him and demanded the chance to prove she could make it in the West End.

The 23-year-old was "given" the part - and last night the curtain went up for the first time.

Did the gamble pay off ? Lord Lloyd-Webber is utterly convinced. He said: "She's wonderful. It's a corny thing to say but we had the most fantastic spring with Connie and I think we're going to have a glorious Summer."

His wife, Madeleine, claimed her husband's bold idea had left the younger generation for dust. "Andrew at [nearly] 60 is coming up with the ideas that younger producers should be having," she said.

The critics were divided, however. The show was given just two stars by the Evening Standard's Nicholas de Jongh. But Charles Spencer of The Daily Telegraph was in raptures and called Strallen "an utter delight". Robert Gore Langton in the Daily Mail said she had confidence, depth and charm but "made a terrible start".

After the show Strallen said: "I feel great. I'm very pleased with tonight. I did my best and hopefully that will be good enough. I can begin to enjoy it now."

She said when she won the role, she was forced to sign an agreement that meant keeping it from her mother and sisters - including Mary Poppins star Scarlet. "The first part of it [in Hollyoaks] was a bit crazy," she said. "I knew in July I was going to play Maria but I couldn't tell anybody."

Her aunt Bonnie Langford said the family were all immensely proud. "We know how to work. We're not starry. We know that tomorrow they have to do another show."