Opera North brings the much-loved musical The Sound of Music at Leeds Grand Theatre in a new production of the Rodgers and Hammerstein classic.
The perennially popular classic will be brought to life by the Chorus and Orchestra of Opera North under the direction of Nikolai Foster (Kinky Boots, My Fair Lady, A Chorus Line).
Katie Bird from the Chorus of Opera North takes on the role of novice nun Maria, with Edward Bennett joining her as Captain von Trapp. Together with the 40-piece Orchestra of Opera North, they will be bringing such well-known and much-loved tunes as ‘The Hills Are Alive’, ‘My Favourite Things’ and ‘Do-Re-Mi’ to the Leeds Grand Theatre stage.
Edward’s illustrious career includes recent TV appearances as Richard Keen in Lockerbie: A
Search for Truth, Lt. General Miles Dempsey in SAS: Rogue Heroes, Walter Dundas in
series 3 and 4 of Bridgerton and Peter Mott in series 1, 2 and 3 of Cobra. No stranger to the
big screen, his latest film credits include Jean de Cambaceres in Ridley Scott’s Napoleon
and TE Lawrence in Benediction directed by Terence Davies. On stage, he has starred in
many critically-acclaimed productions, including as Thomas Cromwell in A Man for All
Seasons at Bath Theatre Royal and in the West End, as Alan Turing in Breaking the Code at
Salisbury Playhouse, and as Benedick in Much Ado About Nothing, Berowne in Love’s
Labour’s Lost, Hamlet & Laertes in Hamlet and as Macduff in Macbeth, all for the Royal
Shakespeare Company (RSC). He now takes on the role of Captain von Trapp, whose life is
transformed by novice nun Maria, sung by Katie Bird.
Katie studied at the Royal Conservatoire of Scotland, the Royal Academy of Music and the
National Opera Studio. A member of the Chorus of Opera North, her operatic roles include
both Mimì and Musetta in La bohème and Kate Pinkerton in Madama Butterfly for Opera
North, Mimì in La bohème and Suzel in L’amico Fritz for Opera Holland Park, and The
Governess in The Turn of the Screw for Northern Ireland Opera. Her musical theatre
experience includes singing Eliza Doolittle to great acclaim in the Opera North and Leeds
Playhouse co-production of My Fair Lady in 2024.
With Richard Rodger’s instantly recognisable music and catchy lyrics by Oscar Hammerstein II, The
Sound of Music was an instant hit when it opened on Broadway in 1959. Six years later, the stage
performance was followed by the multi-award-winning film starring Julie Andrews and Christopher
Plummer. The movie rapidly became a household favourite, remaining a popular choice for family
viewing ever since.
Based on the book by Howard Lindsay and Russel Crouse, the musical tells the tale of Maria, a free-
spirited novice nun, who is sent to look after the rowdy von Trapp children. Defying Captain von
Trapp’s strict orders, Maria captures the children’s hearts using creativity and music to educate,
inspire and bring order into their lives. Soon the entire family is under the spell of Maria’s
unquenchable zest for life and even the Captain’s steely heart begins to soften, as they fall in love.
When Captain von Trapp is commanded to report for duty in the German navy however, their Austrian idyll is shattered, as they must flee the Nazis and embark on the most important and dangerous journey of their lives.
This heart-warming tale of family, romance and rebellion features a timeless score, including ‘Do-Re-
Mi’, ‘My Favorite Things’, ‘Climb Ev’ry Mountain’ and of course, its soaring title number, ‘The Sound of
Music’.
Ensuring as many people as possible get the chance to enjoy the musical’s feel-good factor, Under
30s can take advantage of £10 tickets, with £22 seats available through the Leeds Grand Theatre’s
Secret Seats scheme for anyone willing to sit anywhere in the auditorium. There will be a number of
matinees and a variety of accessible performances are also offered across the run, including British
Sign Language interpreted, Audio Described with Touch Tours beforehand, and Captioned.
Laura Canning, General Director, Opera North:
“We are delighted to be bringing another musical theatre classic to Leeds following the success of My
Fair Lady at Leeds Playhouse last year. The Sound of Music continues to enthral audiences wherever
it’s performed, and this Made in Curve production promises to appeal to everyone who has already
fallen under the story’s charm, while also engaging a whole new generation of fans. Hearing Rodgers
and Hammerstein’s iconic score performed by the Orchestra of Opera North in the historic
surroundings of Leeds Grand Theatre promises to be a truly special occasion.”
Production information:
The Sound of Music
Music by Richard Rodgers
Lyrics by Oscar Hammerstein II
Book by Howard Lindsay and Russel Crouse
Suggested by The Trapp Family Singers by Maria Augusta Trapp
Leeds Grand Theatre
Thu 9 July 2026 – Sat 1 August 2026 (22 performances)
The Sound of Music is presented by arrangement with Concord Theatricals Ltd. on behalf of The
Rodgers & Hammerstein Organization
Main image: The Company of The Sound of Music at Leicester Curve. Photograph by Marc Brenner.
