The Sound of Music to be broadcast live on ITV

“The notion of creating a production for live television broadcast is a large undertaking, and one we are delighted ITV has taken on for what will undoubtedly be a Christmas time treat for the whole of the United Kingdom”.

ITV is putting on a live version of the iconic musical, The Sound Of Music on Christmas Day this year.

The Sound of Music Live! is a two-and-a-half-hour TV dramatisation, and will star Kara Tointon as Maria. “There are a few much-loved performers already preparing for the big night and we know they won’t disappoint”.

It features a book by Howard Lindsay and Russel Crouse, music by Richard Rodgers and lyrics by Oscar Hammerstein, and includes such classic songs as “How Do You Solve A Problem Like Maria?’, “Edelweiss”, “My Favourite Things”, “Do-Re-Mi”, “Climb Ev’ry Mountain”, and of course, ‘The Sound of Music”.

Ex-EastEnders actor Tointon, 32, will play Maria, who joins the von Trapp family as a governess.

Coronation Street actress Kelly, 35, portrays Baroness Elsa Schraeder while trained opera singer Ovenden, who has appeared in Downton Abbey, will be Captain Georg von Trapp, the military efficient father facing a Nazi occupation of his country.

Bafta nominated director Coky Giedroyc (Wuthering Heights, The Virgin Queen, Oliver Twist, Penny Dreadful) will be the show’s creative director, while Tony award-winning Martin Koch (Billy Elliot The Musical, Mamma Mia!) keeps the hits coming as director of music.

Ted Chapin, President of Rodgers & Hammerstein said “The Sound of Music really is in a class by itself”. ITV has been keen to proceed with a live production of this classic ever since USA broadcaster NBC staged a live production in 2013 which drew a huge overnight audience of 18.6 million viewers. ITV’s The Sound Of Music Live! was commissioned by ITV’s Director of Entertainment and Comedy Elaine Bedell and Controller of Drama Victoria Fea.