THE streets of Warrington are alive with the sound of music after local singer Anneli Conreen landed the lead role of Maria in Centenary Operatic’s rendition of classic musical.
It is a dream come true for 30-year-old Anneli who has wanted to play the lead role in The Sound of Music ever since she started singing at school and is currently rehearsing three or four times a week.
Now she hopes it willbe a big step towards her ambition of touring professionally.
She has been a member of the Operatic Society since 2005 shortly after arriving in the UK from her native Norway but it is the first time she has landed a leading role.
She had to perform three songs, read eight pages of script and a kissing scene to land the part.
“It is a dream come true,” said Anneli who lives in Callands. “I have wanted to play this part for as long as I can remember – ever since I started singing at school.
“The film was what actually inspired me to start singing.”
Anneli, who is married to local builder Paul Conreen, is currently in the first year of a Musical Theatre degree at the Ardern School of Theatre – one of 30 out of more than 800 applicants for the course.
She is hoping to go on and do her Masters at Guildford or Mountview.
Meanwhile she has built up a following on the local music circuit and also does private bookings for parties and special events.
“I am hoping that this role will be another step on my journey to gaining a part on a professional tour,” added Anneli.
The Sound of Music is being staged at The Brindley Theatre in Runcorn from May 15-19 and will involve six performances, including a matinee.
