Summer Strallen is Maria in London's 'The Sound of Music' Feb.26

From February 26, the worlds of theatre and television collide in a unique life imitating art event as Summer Strallen, from Channel 4's hit soap "Hollyoaks,"takes over as Maria in The Sound of Music at the London Palladium. 

Summer is no stranger to the West End stage, having been a leading lady in The Drowsy Chaperone, Chitty Chitty Bang Bang, The Boyfriend and Guys and Dolls.  

Connie Fisher, whom originated the role of Maria in the new revival, plans a national concert-tour following her departure.

The Sound of Music has music by Richard Rodgers and lyrics by Oscar Hammerstein II, with a book by Howard Lindsay and Russel Crouse, suggested by "The Trapp Family Singers" by Maria Augusta Trapp.  The score includes classic songs "My Favorite Things," "Do-Re-Mi," "Edelweiss," "Climb Ev'ry Mountain," "Sixteen Going on Seventeen," "The Lonely Goatherd" and of course the glorious title song "The Sound of Music."

The Sound of Music is directed by Jeremy Sams, with choreography by Arlene Phillips, design by Robert Jones, sound by Mick Potter, lighting by Mark Henderson and musical supervision by Simon Lee.

The Sound of Music is booking until October 18, 2008.  Performance times at the London Palladium are at 7:30PM on Mondays and Wednesdays through Saturdays, with Tuesday performances at 7PM, and Wednesday and Saturday matinees at 2:30PM.  Tickets, priced from £25.00 - £55.00 including all booking fees, are available from the London Palladium Box Office on 0870 890 1108 or at www.soundofmusiclondon.com