A BERKELEY-born actor is gearing up for his first night starring in a national tour of the hit musical The Sound of Music.

Michael Praed, who spent the first few years of his life in Wotton-under-Edge, is playing Captain Von Trapp in the show starring alongside Connie Fisher, winner of the BBC series ‘How do you solve a problem like Maria?’ He said he is sure that audiences will be blown away by the production that is full of emotional scenes and well-known songs.

"I would say to people bring along some tissues because I promise you will be moved by the show," said Michael, 49.

"It is difficult to say what makes a hit musical, certainly the songs are important, but it has to be a great story to stand the test of time and The Sound of Music has that.

"Of course Rodgers and Hammerstein, who wrote the music, are fantastic at their craft, their shows have universal appeal.

"The songs in The Sound of Music are beautiful and I think the show would be in most people’s top 10 musicals at the very least."

Michael was born in Berkeley and lived for a time in Wotton before being moved to Iran at a young age as his father was offered a job with an oil consortium there.

After studying at an English boarding school he was accepted at the prestigious Guildhall School of Music and Drama in London and soon fell into the world of theatre.

He has appeared in an array of musicals and plays including Copacabana, Carousel and Aspects of Love and has made several appearances in television shows such as Casualty and The Bill.

"It is a fantastic profession to be in if you are fortunate enough to find the work," said Michael. "I do love it very much, but it can be very tough and exhausting.

"Every night the show needs to be fresh because it is a new audience and you want them to be moved by the experience."

The Sound of Music tour starts in Cardiff on Sunday, July 26 and stays at the Millennium Centre until August 29.