Around 2,000 children had queued by 0800GMT

Andrew Lloyd Webber held open casting for the roles in a new production of the musical, in London's West End.

Children queued at the Palladium to audition for the parts of Friedrich, 14, Louisa, 13, Kurt, 10, Brigitta, nine, Marta, seven, and Gretl, five.

Julie Andrews starred in the 1965 film version of the Rogers and Hammerstein classic set in Austria.

Second round

The musical is based on the true story of the von Trapp family, who formed a singing troupe and escaped from Nazi-occupied Austria in 1938.

The musical is based on the real life Von Trapp family singers

Those auditioning for the parts were asked to sing a verse from the Wizard of Oz hit Somewhere Over The Rainbow.

The successful children have been asked to return in a fortnight for the second round of auditions.

Ros Jones, who was leading the auditions, said: "It's really lovely that these children are so eager. I'm quite overwhelmed in some ways.

"At this stage we're looking only for people who can sing in tune and just have that little bit extra, that spark and that enthusiasm.

"We're going to see everybody who is here and we've seen some really exciting people already.