Sound of Music

This was, by anyone’s standards, an outstanding piece of musical theatre! This ‘youth production’ was well cast, well directed, musically excellent and with some simple, yet effective, choreography. Credit for this must go to Si Foster, Harry Moore, and Sophie Thow (Directors), Wayne Oakes (Musical Director), Jade Harrington (Choreographer), Chantelle Nolan (Producer) and Callum Clarke (Musical Supervisor) and the entire Production Team... job well done, folks! 

This was the last musical written by Richard Rodgers (music) and Oscar Hammerstein II (lyrics) which opened on Broadway in 1959. Based on the true life story of Maria von Trapp, as told in her book ‘The Story of the Trapp Family Singers’; this musical, set in Austria in 1938, tells the story of Maria, a ‘young postulant nun’ who takes a job as governess to the Von Trapp Family whilst considering becoming a nun. She falls in love with the children, and eventually, their widowed father, Captain von Trapp. He is then ordered to accept a commission in the German Navy, but he opposes the Nazis. He and Maria decide on a plan to flee Austria with the children.  This musical is littered with many well known songs all of which were performed in this production to ‘backing tracks’;  songs such as 'Edelweiss', 'Climb Every Mountain', 'Do-Re-Mi', and the title song ‘The Sound of Music' which have, over the years, become ‘standards’.

It was clear from the ‘first note to the last’ that everyone on stage was having the time of their lives!  With a cast of eighteen named principles and an ensemble of twenty nine this was a great ‘team effort,’ full of energy and enthusiasm!  With so many great ‘individual performances’, I find it difficult to start highlighting some without doing injustice to others, but, after saying that, I really do feel that the following need to be recognised for their outstanding contributions……

The ‘coveted role’ of ‘Maria Rainer’ was placed in the capable hands of Olivia Forshaw (‘Sharpay’ to ‘Maria’- well there’s a challenge!). Olivia was a ‘perfect fit for this role’; ‘confident’, ‘stage presence aplenty’, ‘great diction’, ‘wonderful characterisation’, ‘beautiful singing voice’ and her interaction with the children was at all times so believable - be ever so proud Olivia!

Jack Blackburn played the ‘uncompromising military man’ ‘Captain Von Trapp’. Superbly cast, Jack took us on a journey from the ‘hard hearted military man’ to the ‘softer, loving, caring father and husband to be’.  Again ‘confident’, ‘great stage presence’, ‘superb mannerisms’ and looked so comfortable during the ‘intimate moments’ with Maria.... again, be ever so proud, sir!

‘Elsa Schraeder’ the elegant, sophisticated ‘company executive’ was played wonderfully well by Roisin Cook.  Again, perfect casting, she looked totally comfortable in this role and was never out of character. The interaction between her ‘Max’ and ‘Capt Von Trapp’ during the production and the song and dance numbers was excellent!

‘Max Detweiller’ was brilliantly played by Elliot Bailey. A close family friend to the Von Trapp’s and ‘Uncle Max’ to the children is an out and out ‘opportunist’.  Elliot made this part his own, ‘confident’,’ never out of character’, he added the ‘humour’ to the proceedings.  Elliot is never one to miss an opportunity to adlib.... so when ‘Gretl’ and some of the children arrive a ‘little late’ (after a ‘very quick change’), she asks ‘Uncle Max’ if they could play a game of ‘Hide and Seek’ ... in a flash – Uncle Max’s (Aka Elliot) responds with ’you’re too late ....we’ve already played it’ ... well done Elliott, be ever so proud.

On the night I attended, ‘The Von Trapp Children’ were played by as follows... Emily Caldwell played the role of Liesel; Sam Thomas played ‘Friedrich’; Jessica Ratcliffe played ‘Louisa’; Jamie Leahey played ‘Kurt’; Erin Forshaw played ‘Brigitta’; Ava Wall played ‘Marta’ and last and certainly not least Charlotte Pennington played the part of ‘Gretl’.  Individually great, together as a team...brilliant!  Energy, stage presence, individual characterisation; great diction and wonderful singing!  Without wanting to take anything away from the other Von Trapp Children who were amazing...can I just mention Charlotte.  The ‘smallest’ of the Von Trapp children, but the one with the ‘biggest smile’!  She not only ‘smiled but waved’ her way through the entire show but during one song ‘stood on one leg, still smiling and wobbled around for the entire song’ and in doing so ‘stole the hearts of everyone there’- brilliant and so cute!  Well done to you all...be so proud!

But, for me, the one who ‘stole the show’ was Caitlin Boulton playing ‘Mother Abbess’.  ‘Mother Abbess’ is a challenging role for an experienced adult, let alone someone so young, but Caitlin was more than capable. She created a character that was totally believable, oozed stage presence and with a singing voice beyond her years...she just did it for me!   Her rendition of ‘Climb Every Mountain’ that closed Act 1 and reprised at the end of Act 2, brought the house down and left the audience and my wife, emotionally drained.  Congratulations young lady on a job well done...be ever so proud!

There were many notable cameo performances: Izzi Watkins played ‘Sister Bertha’, Molly Lowe and Megan Ratcliffe shared the role of ‘Sister Margarette’ during all performances.  Jasmine Sealeaf played ‘Sister Sophia’ and Lucy Canning played ‘Frau Schmidt’.  ‘Rolf’ was played by Ethan Mason, Shae Rainford played the part of ‘Herr Zeller’ and Ryan Greenall played ‘Admeral Von Schreiber’ all creating great characters and adding so much to the overall performance.

A huge production, with a huge set and with many scene changes to be dealt with; this was always going to be a challenge. A challenge that was met and dealt with superbly by the Stage Crew. Costumes were excellent, appropriate, in keeping with the era and added so much to the overall production. Lighting was good but we did have one or two ‘quiet moments’ with the Sound.

I’ve said this before, but I’ll say it again, RTDA are blessed with so much talent, not only ‘on stage’ but ‘behind the scenes’.... congratulations to everyone involved in putting this excellent production on stage – your efforts were well and truly rewarded!

Thanks you so much for inviting my wife and I and for making us feel more than welcome and for allowing me to speak with the cast and crew at the end of the show. Already looking forward to your next production ... thanks again! 

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