Sound of Music

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, 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 obvious from the ‘first note to the last’ that everyone on stage was having the time of their lives. This isn’t a show where you can hide; I would suggest that the ‘plot’ and ‘every note from every song’ are known by the audience. So congratulations to everyone concerned in ‘staging’ this production!  Congrats to Les Gomersall (Director) for his understanding of the piece and casting the show, to Jenny Birch for some great yet simple choreography and to the orchestra led by (Musical Director) David Wall who provided us with some amazing sound!  Be proud folks!

Our journey starts in Nonnberg Abbey with the ‘Nuns’ getting ready for prayers –  the opening number was a real haunting rendition of ’Preludium'. The song was sung to perfection with some excellent harmonies and provided a great opening to the show....so congratulations to ‘Sister Bertha’ played by Anne Powell, ‘Sister Sophia’ played by Heather Lewis, ‘Sister ‘Margaretta’ played Liz Clarke and the rest of the ‘Nuns’ - Rebecca Billington, Zoe Findlay, Emily Blinkhorn, Abbey Coy, Olivia Andrews, Barbara Shields, Nicola Powell, Hannah Rodehaigh and to David Wall and his orchestra. Every team needs a leader and in Mother Abbess (Pam Ashcroft) we had just that... Pam had great diction and great stage presence and brought out the ‘motherly instinct’ side of the character in her scenes with Maria. Her rendition of ‘Climb Every Mountain’ was ‘first class’ and appreciated by everyone present. 

The ‘coveted role’ of ‘Maria Rainer’ was placed in the capable hands of Lucie Colman (who was following in mum’s footsteps).  Lucie looked totally comfortable in the role; confident, stage presence, great diction, never out of character and showed great empathy toward the children – be proud!  Alan Casserley played the part of Captain Von Trapp. Alan looked the part; his diction was good and he worked really well opposite Lucie. I would have liked a little more ‘light and shade’ from the character, just to show the journey that Captain Von Trapp went on from the ‘strict, military, disciplinarian’ to the ‘softer, warmer more understanding’ person he became.

Craig Billington played the part of Max Detweiler really well. A close family friend to the Von Trapp’s and ‘Uncle Max’ to the children is an out and out ‘opportunist’.  Craig made this part his own, ‘confident’, ‘stage presence aplenty’, ‘never out of character’, he added the ‘humour’ to the proceedings...well done sir, be proud.

Samantha Keen played the role of the Baroness Elsa Schraeder well. Looked totally comfortable in the role and worked well opposite Captain Von Trapp and Max. Good diction, kept in character throughout – be proud.

Thomas Corcoran played the part ‘Rolf’ the suitor to Leisl, telegram delivery boy and later Nazi Soldier. Again good characterisation, good diction; his duet with ‘Leisl’ was sung and acted really well. It was also great to read about this young man expanding his musician skills as the society’s rehearsal pianist... congrats!

But, as is so often the case, ‘The Von Trapp Children’ stole the show for me!  ‘Leisl’ played by Megan Wagstaff, ‘Freidrich’ by Harry Corcoran, ‘Louisa’ by Erin Birch, ‘Kurt’ by Nathan Power, Brigitta by Zahra Bhatti, Marta by Rebecca Halsall and Gretl by Isla Rogers.  Individually great, together as a team...terrific!  Energy, stage presence, individual characterisation, the interaction between them all was so natural and believable. Without wanting to take anything away from the other Von Trapp Children, can I make mention of Megan Wagstaff, a stand out performance for me!  Confident, great diction, acting and movement was superb, her singing voice outstanding – her renditions of ‘I am sixteen going on seventeen’; with ‘Rolf’ in Act 1 and the reprise with ‘Maria’ in Act 2 were excellent - a star for the future I would suggest – be ever so proud!

We had a number of cameo roles...John Hardiker playing the part of ‘Franz’, the Von Trapp Family Butler and Sue Hardiker who played the part of Frau Schmidt the Housekeeper... both played their parts very well.  Carl Steadman took on the roll as Herr Zeller, believable, imposing, great characterisation, great accent; this is how to make the most of a cameo role.  Alistair Johnson played Admiral von Schreiber and there were smaller cameo roles for Sam Ashcroft, Philip Johnson, Tom Hallsworth and Nick Lloyd.

The ‘Back Stage Crew’ deserve a ‘special mention’ – with such a large set to handle, they managed to keep the scene changes ‘slick’ and it was ‘nice’ to see ‘Society Chairman’, Phil Power, flexing his muscles and helping with the ‘pushing and pulling’ back stage...this is what Amateur Theatre is all about, people helping people, when and where they can!

‘Lighting’ as always was excellent, congrats to Sam Robinson-Davies and Alan Golsing The overall Sound quality was good although we did have a few quiet moments but these didn’t detract for the overall performance. Costumes were excellent and in keeping with the period and enhanced the show – congrats to Wendy Harris and Carol Taylor.

Thank you so much for inviting my wife and I for your hospitality throughout and I hope to see you all again soon and already looking forward to ‘Joseph’ in 2020.  

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