Connie Fisher
You think you've got it tough? Spare a thought for Connie Fisher, who initially spent 15 months living as a nun. In that time, she climbed every mountain (and not just once, but about 300 times), forded every stream (ditto) and spent countless hours getting misty about brown paper packages tied up with strings. And she did it in stout brogues and a hairdo she dubbed "my nun-cut." All of the above set her up for a musical career that started with "My Favourite Things" in 2006 and was followed with her second album Secret Love in 2009.
When she bowed out of the role of Maria in the West End revival of The Sound of Music in February, 2008, she did so knowing that, while she may have got the part through the reality show How Do You Solve a Problem Like Maria? she left it a fully-fledged star. Her performance as the girl who was too high-spirited for her habit received raves across the board, many from reviewers who professed surprise at how sparklingly she rose to the occasion. As the Evening Standard's Nicholas de Jongh said: "She eclipses her famous predecessors…the first real Maria I've seen." Nice work if you can get it.
With Maria her calling card, the West End was her oyster, and most actresses in her shoes would have struck while the iron was hot and gone straight into another show. Connie, though, devoted a serious chunk of 2008 to recording an album. She called it a "surprising" record. Yes, it's full of show tunes she's adored since she was a little kid on a farm in South Wales, but no, they're neither glossy nor sentimentalised. She may have a passion for classic musicals, but she's also 26 years old, and she wanted to make a record other 26-year-olds would want to hear.
Summer 2008 saw Connie back in the theatre for the revival of They're Playing Our Song starring alongside Alastair McGowan at The Menier Chocolate Factory. The nun's outfit was left behind for a 70's revival where Connie was able to indulge her comedic potential. Connie played to sell out houses every night of the 10 week run which led to her being nominated for the "Best Actress In A Musical" Award for What's On Stage. She also performed at the Diana memorial concert in Wembley.
Secret Love was released on Universal Classics and Jazz/Fascination Records in 2009, the same year we saw Connie back performing live for Friday Night is Music Night.
Connie has just finished a 2010 regional tour of The Sound Of Music whilst working on various television and music projects, she was also recently named "Best Actress in a Musical "at the Manchester Evening News awards. Keep your eyes peeled for some fantastic projects coming out this year.
