Casting announced for 'BUT FIRST THIS' - A MUSICAL HOMAGE TO RADIO 4 at Watermill Theatre

The Watermill Theatre is delighted to announce details of the premiere of But First This, a musical homage to Radio 4, written by BBC newsreader Kathy Clugston, playing from Thursday 23 October to Saturday 8 November 2014 (press night Monday 27 October, 7.30pm). On sale now.

Along with the countryside, the monarchy and freedom of speech, Radio 4 is in the top seven Best Things About Britain Today, according to a recent poll. But a new Controller is out to destroy this cherished institution! Can the intrepid team of presenters foil her wicked plan? Written by BBC newsreader Kathy Clugston with music by Desmond O'Connor, But First This is a witty and lovingly irreverent new musical set in the world of Woman’s Hour, The Shipping Forecast, The Today Programme, Big Ben and, of course, the Pips. Just a Minute, make sure you’re on the Front Row, Today, Saturday Live or Midweek, not at Broadcasting House but at The Watermill Theatre. It’s guaranteed to be livelier than Book at Bedtime. Warning: an in-depth knowledge of Farming Today may be required!

Where are they now? How Do You Solve a Problem like Maria?

How Do You Solve a Problem like Maria maybe a song from the hit musical The Sound of Music, but it was also the title of the 2006 reality TV show which was Andrew Lloyd Webber and David Ian's search to find the next Maria for the new production that would play at the London Palladium. The show was hosted by Graham Norton with guest judges Zoe Tyler and John Barrowman, this was the first series that lead to shows such as Any Dream Will Do (The search for Joseph), I'd Do Anything (The Search for Nancy) and Over the Rainbow (The search for Dorothy). Rival TV shows to this BBC produced series also came up in Superstar (The search for Jesus), Grease is the Word (The search for Danny and Sandy) and Fame: The musical (the search for Nick and Serena). If you are a theatre geek like me, you'll remember these TV shows! And if you don't, you'll certainly know some of the contestants. So, where are they now? 

Connie Fisher

After Winning the reality TV she went on to perform in the West End production of The Sound of Music from November 2006 until February 2008 where Summer Strallen took over the role and she also went on to reprise the role of Maria in the 2009 UK tour of the show. She has released two solo albums, My Favourite Things (2006) and Secret Love (2009). In 2012 she returned to the musical theatre stage to play Ruth in the UK tour of Wonderful Town as well as getting a regular role on Casualty. In 2015 BBC Four broadcast the documentary 'Connie: I Will Sing Again'. The film followed Connie on her emotional journey trying to recapture her singing voice, three years after retiring from public performance due to a congenital throat condition that affected her vocal cords. She is currently working for a production company as a Development Executive, Popular Factual & Factual Entertainment. 

Connie's Twitter | Connie's Instagram 

Helena Blackman 

After coming in second on the TV programme, Helena has had a wonderful career in theatre. She has played Eliza Dolittle in My Fair Lady & Maria in The Sound of Music (Kilworth House); Elsa Schraeder in The Sound of Music (Bahrain Theatre Festival); Linda in Gay's The Word (Finborough Theatre); Lily/Rose in The Secret Garden (West Yorkshire Playhouse); Helen Fogel in Saturday Night (Arts Theatre); Nellie Forbush in South Pacific (UK Tour); Dorothy in The Wizard of Oz (Leicester Haymarket); Gypsy Rose Lee in Gypsy (Millennium Centre, Cardiff); Anna in Bur First This (Watermill Theatre); Millie in Seven Brides for Seven Brothers (UK tour); Blue Girl in Shout the Musical (Winter Garden Theatre, Blackpool); Caroline Neville in Titanic (Charing Cross Theatre), the title role in The Snow Queen (Rose Theatre, Kingston) and Vi In Footloose (Dubai). Helena appears in I Hate Suzie on Sky Atlantic as well as Pennyworth for Warner Horizon TV / Epix. 

Helena's Twitter | Helena's Instagram