Only three candidates are left in Looking For Maria, which the lead actress for The Sound of Music is being searched. The choice is entirely up to the audience, so jury chairman Pia Douwes can let go of the reins completely. She finds that quite exciting, she says in conversation with NU.nl.
“The audience chooses, which is exciting for the people in our profession”, says Douwes, who himself played leading roles in musicals such as Elisabeth in Chicago. “You let go of control completely, so you hope that people will look closely at where the quality lies.”
Candidates Nandi, Tessa and Natascha are in the final. Douwes sees other qualities in all three that fit well with the role of Maria. “Natascha is really disarming, a sponge that sucks up everything and converts it. A sparkling Maria. She has grown like a treasure and has really developed in a surprising way,” explains the musical actress.
“We first saw Tessa as a princess, but we have already seen her doing so many different things. She has also shown other qualities and has a warmth, also in her voice. She also has a femininity that comes in handy with the Maria in love. Nandi has that purity and openness, she is really in the moment. She is a Maria who has spunk and is almost amazed at what happens to her. “
Douwes says that many people see Maria as good and tidy. “But she’s actually very mindful and she has an enormous zest for life. She is sincere in everything she does. You can see that very much in all three girls. Maria starts as a tomboy and grows into a young woman, a governess who keeps the children in line in a fun way and shows them the joy of life. And then she becomes a woman and wife who takes matters into her own hands. All three could play well. “
The three finalists: Nandi, Natascha and Tessa.
The three finalists: Nandi, Natascha and Tessa. Photo: Elvin Boer
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‘Had to come into my role for a moment’
Douwes was also on the jury in the previous series, but for the first time she has taken the place of jury chair. “I had to get in there for a while, I am so used to sitting in that other place. Previously I had a coaching role on the jury and I worked with the candidates. Now I look at them much more objectively and that was quite a challenge. coach role and being committed, that is easier, now I had to take a lot more distance because I made the final choice. “
This is not necessary in the final. Where the public first determined which candidates ended up in the sing-off and Douwes then took the plunge, the viewers now also make the final choice. “There is a burden off my shoulders, haha. That is very exciting, but especially for the candidates. Just like in an audition: only one goes through. But then for the entire Dutch audience.”
Of course Douwes will provide commentary for the performances, mainly trying to advise the audience. “I think it is important that you can make TV where you can give nuanced commentary, where no one is slated. Of course you have to be critical, but as usual I will try to watch very intuitively and in a positive way draw their qualities. now to the public. “
The finale of Looking For Maria can be seen on NPO1 on Sunday evening at 8.30 pm at AVROTROS.
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