Fall in love with Maria all over again

MOST of us who know The Sound of Music are likely to associate its lead character Maria with the iconic actress and singer Julie Andrews. For anyone trying to fill her shoes, they'd best be sporting some pretty large feet.

Currently, this mammoth task has fallen into the lap of 26-year-old Bethany Dickson, who is starring in the 2006 London Palladium version of the award-winning musical at the Marina Bay Sands Grand Theatre from now till Aug 10.

"I've always loved Julie Andrews, so this is a dream come true," says the soft-spoken thespian who hails from South Africa. "It was very stressful to be playing this role in the beginning, yes. But I'm very comfortable in it now.…