Nazis, goatherds and ratings; everybody sing!

'Andrew Lloyd Webber is turning to reality TV to find the female lead for a new stage production of The Sound of Music.

British media reported Monday that after years of searching, the musical theatre composer and producer has decided to collaborate with the BBC to find an actress to depict novitiate-turned-governess Maria, famously portrayed by Julie Andrews in the 1965 film.

Under the working title of 'How Do You Solve a Problem Like Maria?', the reality TV search is reportedly in an "early development" stage.

David Ian, a co-producer of the new stage production, told the Sunday Times newspaper that the aim was to "break new ground" with an unknown actress.

"We think this could be an interesting way of casting someone who is not known yet but who has enormous talent," he said.

The TV programme will feature the auditions for the part and end with the winner being offered the role of Maria for the entire first run of Lloyd Webber's production, initially scheduled for three months at the London Palladium in late 2006.'