Michael Praed's Fanfare logo
separatorIndexseparatorProfessional SiteseparatorBiographyseparatorRolesseparatorAs InspirationseparatorClub Newsseparator
separator
EncountersseparatorReviewsseparator Fan ArtseparatorFanficseparatorFunseparatorMerchandiseseparatorForumseparatorLinksseparator


Club News
What's the latest news?


Images by David Ian Productions and the Really Useful Theatre Group © 2009 DIP/RUG
Cast images are from the official 'SOM' tour website.

Belfast abuzz with 'Music'

February 22, 2010 -  'The Sound of Music' crosses the Irish Sea to the Belfast Opera House. Opening  Wednesday 24 February, the show runs until Saturday 20 March. Produced by David Ian Productions and Andrew Lloyd Webber's The Really Useful Group, the musical stars Michael Praed and Connie Fisher in the lead roles.

Maria, a lively tomboy novice in an Austrian abbey, isn't fitting into somber convent life.  To give her an opportunity to get away from the abbey to reconsider her future, the Mother Abbess sends her to the lavish household of Captain Georg Von Trapp, a widower with seven children.  Maria is to be the governess to his emotionally neglected children.  As Maria reconciles her growing love for the children's father with her desire to become a nun, the looming Nazi menace in nearby Germany threatens to overwhelm them all.

When tickets were made available last August, it caused such a rush that the theatre’s telephone lines jammed and ticket system crashed. The resulting sales set the record for the most tickets sold in a show's first hour of availability in the theatre's 114 year history, even with the system failures.  Please contact the Opera House directly here for remaining tickets.  If you would like additional information on the tour venues, please check our 'Sound of Music' reference page

 

Montage of Silverstone Racetrack, Rob Barff, Renault Clio Cup, Whittlebury Hall Hotel, room extras

Silverstone Racetrack for Michael's birthday

February 16, 2010 -  As most of you are aware, Michael's 50th birthday is rapidly approaching.  It will arrive on Thursday, 1 April.  Michael will be busy performing 'The Sound of Music' in Aberdeen then, but we have plans that will enable him to celebrate when it is convenient for him, courtesy of Fanfare.

Many of you know that Michael loves sports cars, so our gift to Michael will be a holiday at Silverstone Racetrack, the home of British Racing.  Professional racecar driver/instructor Rob Barff will be coaching Michael one-to-one on techniques to handle a racecar, then they'll spend an hour on the track with Michael driving.  A tour of the track's facilities and Race Control is also on the schedule. 

Fanfare was prepared to cover the cost of the coaching session, however, when the good folks at Silverstone heard who was taking part in the event, they offered to absorb the cost themselves for the publicity photos, if Michael was willing.  This was fine with Michael, so plans are proceeding.

So why do we still have a donation button here? Because Fanfare will be covering the accommodations and dining for Michael's adventure.  We are arranging to pay for a gift card to Whittlebury Hall Hotel, a four-star hotel renown for it's excellent food and relaxing spa just 3 miles from Silverstone.  We are trying to raise £260 to cover the cost of a 'Club Room', a lavish dinner and whatever extras Michael may want to experience.

We'd like to get the money collected in time to present it on his birthday, so we are setting a deadline of Thursday, 4 March.  This should give us time to purchase the card and get it to Michael.

Records will be kept so we have the names of contributors to give to Michael.  Please join us.

Michael's 50th birthday present

 

'The Sound of Music' poster

More contract hints

February 7, 2010 -  Recent comments from Michael confirm that his involvement with 'The Sound of Music' will probably end 21 June. Although he isn't ruling out all possibility of carrying on, Michael is making strong hints that he may have other professional commitments waiting at the conclusion of his appearance in Eastbourne this summer.  At this point, it is safer to assume Michael won't be a part of the cast later in the year.  If we hear differently, we'll let you know.

Note: Be aware that Michael's status in the cast at Woking and Birmingham is doubtful at this point.  If you buy tickets after June 21st in 'The Sound of Music', you probably won't see him.

Thanks go to Michael Praed fans Jayne and Jacci for bringing our attention to this matter.

 

Images by David Ian Productions and the Really Useful Theatre Group © 2009 DIP/RUG
Cast images are from the official 'SOM' tour website.

Edinburgh's hills are alive

January 19, 2010 -  'The Sound of Music' moves to the hills of Edinburgh this week. The famous musical is produced by David Ian Productions and Andrew Lloyd Webber's The Really Useful Group and stars Michael Praed and Connie Fisher in the starring roles. The show runs from Tuesday 19 January until Saturday 20 February at the Edinburgh Playhouse.

Maria, a lively tomboy novice in an Austrian abbey, isn't fitting into somber convent life.  To give her an opportunity to get away from the abbey to reconsider her future, the Mother Abbess sends her to the lavish household of Captain Georg Von Trapp, a widower with seven children.  Maria is to be the governess to his emotionally neglected children.  As Maria reconciles her growing love for the children's father with her desire to become a nun, the looming Nazi menace in nearby Germany threatens to overwhelm them all.

As usual for this tour, tickets have been popular and not many are left.  Please contact the theatre directly here for tickets.  If you would like additional information on the tour venues, please check our 'Sound of Music' reference page

 

Images by David Ian Productions and the Really Useful Theatre Group © 2009 DIP/RUG
Images are from the official 'SOM' tour website.

Christmas in Manchester

December 14, 2009 -  Usurping the holiday pantos in Manchester this year is the family musical 'The Sound of Music'.  The hit UK tour stars Michael Praed as Captain Von Trapp and Connie Fisher as Maria.  Opening night is Tuesday 15 December at the Palace Theatre. After ringing in the new year, the show runs until Saturday 16 January.

Lively Maria, a novice in an Austrian abbey, isn't fitting into somber convent life.  To give her an opportunity to get away from the abbey to think her future through, the Mother Abbess sends her to the lavish household of Captain Georg Von Trapp, a widower with seven children.  Maria is to be the governess to his emotionally neglected children.  As Maria reconciles her growing love for the children's father with her desire to become a nun, the looming Nazi menace in nearby Germany threatens to overwhelm them all.

The production features some of the most famous songs in musical history, 'The Sound of Music' tour is produced by David Ian Productions and Andrew Lloyd Webber's The Really Useful Group.

Fans in Manchester report that tickets have been selling briskly.  Not many are left.  Please contact the theatre directly here for tickets.  If you would like additional information on the tour venues, please check our 'Sound of Music' reference page

 

'The Sound of Music' poster

SOM contract hints

December 5, 2009 -  Michael has been telling fans his involvement in the UK tour with 'The Sound of Music' is contracted up to June 21st, the conclusion of his appearance in Eastbourne.  At that point, his continued participation is up in the air.  It depends on whether the relevant production companies (David Ian Productions, Andrew Lloyd Webber and the Really Useful Theatre Group) ask him to stay and whether Michael has other professional commitments that would interfere. 

Note: Be aware that Michael's status in the cast at Woking and Birmingham is up in the air.  If you buy tickets after June 21st in 'The Sound of Music', you may not see him.

We'll let you know if we hear any further news one way or the other.

Thanks go to Michael Praed fans Jayne and Jacci for bringing our attention to this matter.

 

'The Sound of Music' currently plays at the Sunderland Empire in Sunderland.
Cast images are from the official 'SOM' tour website.

Sounds in Sunderland

November 17, 2009 -  The hit UK tour of ‘The Sound of Music’, starring Connie Fisher as Maria and Michael Praed as Captain Von Trapp, opens tonight at the Sunderland Empire. The show runs until Saturday 5 December. Featuring some of the most famous songs in musical history, 'The Sound of Music' tour is produced by David Ian Productions and Andrew Lloyd Webber's The Really Useful Group.

High-spirited Maria, a novice in Austria's somber Nonnberg Abbey, is a bit of a misfit.  In order to give her an opportunity to get away from the abbey to think things through, the Mother Abbess sends her to the lavish household of Captain Georg Von Trapp, a widower with seven children.  Maria is to be the governess to his emotionally neglected children.  As Maria reconciles her growing love for the children's father with her desire to become a nun, the looming Nazi menace in nearby Germany threatens to overwhelm them all.

For tickets, please contact the theatre directly here.  Tickets have been selling at a sell-out pace, so please act quickly to avoid disappointment.  If you would like additional information on the tour venues, please check our 'Sound of Music' reference page

 

'The Sound of Music' tour poster © 2009 DIP/RUG

Eastbourne and Woking added to 2010 tour

November 13, 2009 -  Two theatres, one in Eastbourne and one in Woking, have been added to the 2010 'Sound of Music' tour schedule.  The Congress Theatre in Eastbourne will host the musical from 1 June to 19 June.  Michael went to school at Eastbourne for many years.  Woking's venue will be the New Victoria Theatre and the play will be presented from 22 June to 10 July.  Note: Michael's presence is not guaranteed in Woking at this point.  To view performance schedules, please view the theatre websites directly or go to our 'Sound of Music' reference page.

~~~

Club News - 2009
Club News - 2008Club News - 2007
Club News - 2006Club News - 2005


Have anything to share? 
Questions or suggestions? 
 

 

separatorIndexseparatorProfessional SiteseparatorBiographyseparatorRolesseparatorAs InspirationseparatorClub Newsseparator
separator
EncountersseparatorReviewsseparator Fan ArtseparatorFanficseparatorFunseparatorMerchandiseseparatorForumseparatorLinksseparator

Terms of Service and Privacy Policy
This website is designed and maintained by
Celeste Moore Copyright © 2004-2010 All rights reserved.
Direct all fan club related matters to:
Direct all website-related communications to: