The Sound of Music

Let’s start at the very beginning!  I love The Sound of Music having seen both the film and the stage show many times.  To me, it’s a joyful show despite it’s serious undertones and I was not disappointed here.

The demanding role of Maria was taken by Niamh Rose and very well she played it too.  I’ve noted her strong voice previously and here it was again to the fore although maybe a touch too much in her opening title number.  However she kept her character throughout and grew into a loving wife and stepmother very nicely.

Marcus Burnside was a warm Georg Von Trapp and his relationship with his children, and Maria, was just right.  Michael O’Brien was an excellent Max Detweiler and showed all his experience and stagecraft to full effect.  I love to see performers acting all the time they are on stage even if they are not the centre of attraction and examples of good work on the night we saw the show were when Max was taking the odd tot of whisky and when Georg was singing Edelweiss in the concert at the end of the show.  Standing on a rostrum at the back of the stage with the children, Maria did not take her eyes off him giving loving, smiling, support.  Smashing!

Alice Rose gave a first class portrayal of Liesl (she did all the performances) showing off her lovely voice, especially in her reprise of ‘Sixteen Going On Seventeen’ with Maria, and displaying her nice presence on stage.  The children themselves were very enjoyable – we saw Team B – Will Smithson played Friedrich, Louisa Graham performed Louisa, Charlotte Watson was Brigitta (promising), Jack Dobson performed Kurt, Millie Fisher was Marta and Maisie Metcalfe played Gretel.  I was told that Team A were equally impressive (Annie Dunbar – Friedrich, Esther Pollard – Louisa, Erin Kalischer – Brigitta, Rosie Hodgeson – Kurt, Destiny Sampson – Marta and Delilah Pearson – Gretel).

Christine Baxter was an encouraging Mother Abbess and sang her heart out.  She had a good group of Nuns under her wing who gave us some super contralto sounds.  Paula Paylor also gave a strong showing as Elsa.  Stephen Temple was enjoyable as Rolf turning suitably nasty as the show progressed and other supporting roles were nicely presented by David Tester (Franz) and Claire Carter (Frau Schmidt).

I really enjoyed the pace of the musical numbers and it was good to hear songs that aren’t in the film such as ‘How Can Love Survive’, ‘No Way To Stop It’ and ‘An Ordinary Couple’, all of which were included in this production.

Once again we were treated to an excellent set with opening and reversible doors along with sensible stage furniture which was efficiently and quietly moved.  Lighting and costumes were also good and, all in all, this was an enjoyable performance.

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