How Do You Solve a Problem Like Maria? finalists
Belinda Evans, 28
| From |
Somerset |
| Occupation |
Singer/voice coach |
| Family |
Two older sisters Denise and Michele, and younger
brother Tom. |
| Experience |
Masters degree in Music from the Welsh College of
Music and Drama, professional singer recitals and television performances,
part-time vocal coach. |
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Belinda has worked as a singer for the last four years as
a freelance musician and voice teacher. She has recently completed a film
as a chorus member in Kenneth Branagh's new adaptation of The Magic Flute.
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She originally wanted to be a vet but started winning singing
competitions and realised that was where her career lay.
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Last year Belinda spent five months touring the UK and Ireland with a Gilbert
and Sullivan Show. And two weeks before moving to the Maria house Belinda
sang a solo for The Queen.
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She has also sang the National Anthem at the Rugby World
Cup in Australia.
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Belinda's whole family are really supportive of her career - they keep her grounded and pick her up when she needs it.
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Belinda knows the importance of being fit to take on a leading
lady role - she runs three miles every day and loves swimming.
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When did you first realise you had a talent for singing?
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I never realised, my Mum and my primary teacher pushed for
me to have singing lessons, aged 10.
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What is your favourite musical?
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West Side Story.
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Who is your favourite character in a musical and why?
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Any animal in the Lion King! Looks really fun!
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What qualities do you have similar to those of Maria?
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I'm
a bit mad, erratic, spontaneous and love to sing and dance!
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Why should you be the next Maria?
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Because I've seen something I want in the role of Maria that
excites, challenges and inspires me. I like to see things out to the end
and I'm very determined when there's something I want.
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Connie Fisher, 23
| From |
Pembrokeshire, Wales but now lives in London |
| Occupation |
Telesales and acting |
| Family |
Only child |
| Experience |
Mountview Theatre School, 1st BA Hons Musical Theatre |
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Born in Belfast, Connie is an only child and an Officers'
daughter. She lived in Dorset until the age of six when she moved to
Wales. Connie works in Media Sales in a call centre and hates it!
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A Welsh
speaker, she has appeared in many an Eisteddfod [annual Welsh cultural
event] when she was younger.
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Connie was classically trained from the age of 12, and then won a full scholarship to Mountview Academy of Theatre Arts.
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She left with a first-class degree and won a prize for
the highest degree.
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She was a member of the National Youth Theatre during her
teen years (she even toured Japan!), and appeared on Jane McDonald's
Star for a Night when she was 16.
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Connie's first professional job was playing
the Princess in Aladdin in a local panto. Since
then she's been to countless West End auditions, always getting
down to the final two but never getting the part!
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Her musical theatre heroes are Julie Andrews and Ruthie Henshall but she also likes to listen to KT Tunstall, Carole King and Snow Patrol.
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Although Connie claims her hobbies are singing, singing and singing, she also
enjoys going to the theatre. She runs to keep fit, but doesn't enjoy it!
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When did you first realise you had a talent for singing?
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When I was eight years old my Nanna Dot taught me Jesus
Wants Me for a Sunbeam. She noticed I could sing, and so she taught
me Supercalafragilisticexpialidocious and Following your Father's
Footsteps for
a community show.
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What is your favourite musical?
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My favourite musical film is Mary Poppins or The Sound of
Music. My favourite modern musical is Jason Robert Brown's Songs for
a New World or Avenue Q.
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Who is your favourite character in a musical and why?
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My favourite character in a musical has to be Mary Poppins.
She's elegant, organised, enchanting and magical.
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What qualities do you have similar to those of Maria?
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I'm a bit of a tomboy (the short hair), I'm a flibbertigibbet,
a will o' the wisp, a clown. I've always been a bit scatty!
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Just as Maria is always late back to the convent, I'm always
late for everything. As an only child, I've always been very independent
like Maria, and I'm always, always singing.
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Why should you be the next Maria?
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I've trained for three years in musical theatre. I know
I have the passion, commitment and stamina to perform eight shows a week
and have always aspired to play the lead in a West End Show.
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Audiences have
always commented on my Julie Andrews-like qualities both on and
off stage, and I can't think of a more suitable role.
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I have always dreamed
of playing Maria, and those dreams are nine people away from becoming
a reality!
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