Sound of Music’s Mother Abbess played by Margaret Preece (From Daily Echo)

Sound of Music’s Mother Abbess played by Margaret Preece

3:47pm Friday 9th October 2009 in

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How are you finding The Sound of Music tour so far?

“It’s flying by and it’s just fantastic. I didn’t think the reaction could get any more positive than at the Palladium, but it seems to be even more so.

“It’s a fantastic show and it seems to really touch people. A lot of people have said they think it is better than the London version and it’s wonderful to get the message out there! We all really believe in it.”

What made you decide to reprise the role of Mother Abbess you played so successfully at the London Palladium?

“Well it’s such a lovely role to play and I welcomed the new opportunity. It’s good to start a show and end a show and Mother Abbess does it in pretty spectacular fashion I’m not ashamed to say!

“They are wonderful, wonderful songs to sing. I’m a great fan of Rodgers and Hammerstein. The first thing I did was Carousel and I’ve loved it ever since. I wish I had done this years ago, I would have loved to play Maria. The thing about Richard Rodgers music, like You’ll Never Walk Alone or anything else, is it’s got to be sung well and that’s why I love the music so much. It’s a wonderful marriage of words and music and that comes across beautifully in The Sound of Music.

“I love musical theatre and I love good singing and it’s great to combine both really. It’s a wonderful production with a wonderful team. I’m very proud of it and very pleased at the reaction.”

Have you appeared at The Mayflower before?

“Yes I have with the Welsh National Opera and I loved it. I’ve been looking forward to those dates anyway as I have a friend in the area so I’ll be having a wonderful time.”

How do you prepare for the show?

“I try to get a good night’s sleep because we go on stage eight times a week and it can be quite exhausting. I don’t like to have a big meal just before a show either and then it’s just a case of warming up.”

What other projects are you involved in at the moment?

“I had a week off from the tour to do some opera that I already had arranged and it was nice to do a completely different show. I’ve been doing Paradise Moscow and also played Carlotta in London (in The Phantom of the Opera). Plus I released my album Isn’t It Romantic, which is going well. It’s good to challenge yourself. That’s what it’s all about! I hope there will be lots of challenging and exciting things to come. Bring it on!”

The Sound of Music continues at The Mayflower until Saturday, October 24.

Box office: 023 8071 1811 or visit mayflower.org.uk