Connie Fisher, star of The Sound of Music, has announced that she will never play the role of Maria again after a vocal condition left her unable to hit the right notes.

HAS SHE HAD HEAPS OF PLASTIC SURGERY OR WHAT?????????

Fisher landed the lead role in Andrew Lloyd Webber’s production when she won the television talent contest How Do You Solve A Problem Like Maria?
She starred in the West End and has appeared since in a touring production of the show. However, Fisher has pulled out of the tour, saying she can no longer perform Maria’s songs.
“After many months of battling with a throat condition known as congenital sulcus vocalis, my vocal range has altered dramatically and it is with much regret that I have to withdraw from The Sound of Music as I no longer have the range to sing the part of Maria,” she said.
“My journey with this amazing show has been such a magical one and I am devastated that I am not able to close the tour.” Fisher said she had “loved every minute” of working with Lord Lloyd-Webber and was sad to say goodbye to the role.
Sulcus vocalis is a scarring of the vocal cords and affects voice quality. Fisher, 28, was treated during the West End run and had two operations on her throat.
For the final dates of the tour in Cardiff, Manchester, Newcastle and London, Fisher will be replaced by Verity Rushworth, the Emmerdale actress.
OUCH

A production source said that Rushworth would be a welcome addition to the cast. “We are delighted that Verity is replacing Connie. She is hard-working, always kind to cast and crew and a pleasure to deal with,” the source said.

The term sulcus vocalis is used specifically to describe a groove or infolding of mucosa along the surface of the vocal fold. In the area of the sulcus, the mucosa is scarred down to the underlying vocal ligament, giving it a retracted appearance.

Essentially, no differences exist between vocal fold scarring where an identifiable sulcus is present and scarring where an identifiable sulcus is not present. In either case, an alteration in the normal physiology of vocal fold vibration exists, which affects voice production. Therefore, this chapter will focus on vocal fold scarring and its effect on vocal physiology.

Most clinicians agree that presentation of sulcus vocalis is hoarseness, vocal fatigue, voice weakness, and increased effort. However, clinicians may disagree on terminology, diagnosis, and treatment of this disorder. Certainly, widespread acceptance of videostroboscopy has allowed more clinicians to recognize the disorder. This has spurred new interest in its diagnosis and treatment