I own three recordings of this show, though there are a couple of others I would like to get! But here's what I think of these for now.

Original London cast. This recording has the fewest tracks of all the CDs. It also definitely sounds the most "80's" of them all. For example, the feel of "Marilyn Monroe" is completely different. Barbara Dickson does a really great job as Mrs. Johnstone - her voice has a haunting quality about it that really works well with this character. Andrew Schofield as the Narrator has a really strong accent, but he's good as well! I don't like the boys quite as well, but I think I prefer this one to the 1988 recording, though I still like the International recording a bit better overall.

The London cast 1988. I don't listen to this recording quite as much as the International recording, probably just because this one has more of an '80s feel to it, which makes it sound almost dated now. Kiki Dee is alright as Mrs. Johnstone (I especially like her "Easy Terms"), and the rest of the cast is quite good as well. I don't have any specific complaints about it, just a general feeling that it's not my favourite.

The International Cast. This one is interesting first of all simply because it has Willy Russell, the show's creator, as the Narrator! I also really like the Cassidys in the roles of Mickey and Eddie. It also features a bit more of the show than the London recording does, and Petula Clark does a fine job as Mrs. Johnstone. I prefer these orchestrations to the ones on the '88 recording.

Buy the recordings at: Amazon UK or at Sound of Music.