Connie Fisher

BBC Learning EnglishLondon LifeConnie FisherAnna: Hello, I'm Anna Jones and this is London Life.
　　And in today’s programme we look at how a young womancalled ConnieFisher succeeded in her dream to play one of the best knownparts in musical theatre. Connie took part in arecent BBC television programme which aimed to search for anew and previously 1 unknown actress to play the part ofMaria Von Trapp for the new West End production of TheSound of Music. Connie managed to beat many other hopefulsto secure the part of Maria in the famous musical.
　　Connie is 23 years old and comes from Wales. She trained asan actress but had never succeeded in getting a major partuntil now. In today’s programme we hear a lot oflanguage associated with the world of theatre and music aspeople who work in show business tell us what they think ofConnie Fisher. The person you are about to hear has workedwith Connie for many years. He is talking about her on theday that The Sound of Music opened in the West End. Does hethink she will succeed in the world of show business?
　　I have not the slightest doubt that unless some awfulaccident happens or something that she is going to emergeas one of the most important stars that we’ve had inmusical theatre for many a decade.
　　Anna: Well he says that he doesn’t have “the slightestdoubt” – he is absolutely sure that Connie will becomeone of the most important stars – she will become oneof the best and most successful performers in musicaltheatre for a long time.
　　London Life  ? BBC Learning EnglishPage 1 of 3bbclearningenglish.comSo he’s obviously very confident that Connie will become ahuge success. What about the producer of The Sound of Music– is he as confident? The producer is the person who makesthe practical and financial arrangements needed to make atheatre production happen. Here is the producer of TheSound of Music – listen out for some of the words he useswhich are connected with the world of theatre and musicals.
　　She’s fabulous 2 – she’s had to go through the wholeprogramme process as well as therehearsals for the stage show and now get to opening night– 2,000 people every night –she’s wonderful. She’s been very professional in herattitude – she learned the part along with the rest of thecast – she’s been directed by the director, choreographedby thechoreographer and there’s been no difference in theprocess.
　　Anna: Well the show’s producer seems to be just asconfident about Connie’s ability.
　　He says that she has managed to survive the selectionprocess during the TV programmes and has approached herwork in a very professional way. As well as the TVprogrammes she’s also attended the rehearsals 4 for thestage show – the rehearsal 3 period is when actors learntheir lines before performing in front of a theatreaudience and now she’s got to the opening night – thefirst night of the show. He says that she learnedher part – she’s learned how to play the character ofMaria, She has also worked with the director – the personwho directs the actors acting 5 skills and also she’s workedwith thechoreographer – the person who directs the performersmovements into dances that are to be performed. And he saysshe has done all of these things without needing any extrahelp during the rehearsals.
　　Another person attending the opening night of the The Soundof Music was Graham Norton who presented the TV series tofind the new Maria. How does he think Connie will perform?
　　If she hadn’t won, I think her head might have exploded –she wanted this so badly, so she’ll be nervous but at thesame time I think she’ll be like a racehorse straining atthe bit. She’ll want to get out on that stage and showpeople what she can do. She was born for this.
　　Anna: Well Graham says that Connie will probably benervous but “like a racehorse straining at the bit” shewill be very keen to get up on the stage – to get on thearea where the actors perform – and show the audience whatshe can do. And finally we hear from Cilla Black – a veryfamous singer from the 1960s. What shortened adjective doesshe use to describe Connie?
　　I think to have gone through what she went through on theBBC series I think she’ll be really looking forward totonight. Normally I’m nervous for the artists onopening night. I have no nerves for Connie – I think she’
　　ll be brill.
　　Anna: Well Cilla says that she think Connie will be brill– which is short for‘brilliant.’ So everyone is very confident that the newstar of The Sound ofMusic’ will be a complete success.
　　Well that's all from our brief look at the new star of TheSound of Music. Well I think tickets are going prettyquickly for this so I’d better book mine now. That’s allfor now. Goodbye.