The Sound of Music

Parish players

The Sound of Music.          The Parish Hall, Tockington       February 20th     2019

Director: Linda Evans

Choreographer: Jill Harris                                                 MD: Chloe Allsopp-Jones 

This show usually proves to be a popular choice with audiences, which was certainly true in this case with sell-out houses and a waiting list for tickets.  This is an extremely challenging show for a small company to be bringing to a village hall stage but they did it superbly.

Andy Black had once again produced an attractive well designed set, with a structure of cut out arches, which was transformed with each scene to stained glass windows, garden arches, bedroom windows and so on.  There was also a structure, which was used as a grille in the Abbey, as part of the summerhouse in the garden, and to hide everyone in the Abbey garden when it is being searched.  The show had been well costumed bringing pre-war Austria to the stage with Captain von Trapp’s outfits and the officers uniforms.  The children’s outfits were a delight with their sailor outfits, their play clothes and the formal party clothes.  Baroness Schraeder had some stunning outfits completely befitting a wealthy woman of her position.  Well-designed and operated lighting enhanced all of the sets and costumes.  There were some excellent sound effects all well cued, especially during the thunderstorm.

Choreographer Jill Harris had provided some lively choreography for the show; but the highlight for me was the ‘Landler’ when Maria and the Captain realise they love each other.  It had the feel of an old Austrian dance and became a real ‘dance of love’, which the actors captured perfectly.

The four-piece band of two keyboards, guitar and percussion played well and were well controlled by Musical Director Chloe Allsopp-Jones.  This is an acoustic venue and the singing could be heard at all times.  The songs had been well-taught and delivered with feeling and enthusiasm, with excellent diction.  The solos and duets were well sung, with well-balanced trios and ensemble numbers and lovely plainsong.

 The show had a strong cast with everyone performing well both major principals and cameo roles, whether it was nuns or guests at the ball, butler, maid and the ‘acts’ receiving their prizes at the Festival Concert.  Then there were the children, all of them had mastered their roles and had individual characters; they performed with confidence and energy and were enchanting.

You would think that this show is really too big for a small village hall stage, but under the guiding hand of Director Linda Evans it all worked extremely well.  The whole hall and stage were well used, as was shown in the opening when the nuns came from different parts of the hall with only the candles they were carrying for light, singing their plainsong, it was a special moment.  Apart from some slow scene changes this was a well-paced show with quality singing, confident dancing and excellent diction.  It was delivered with a level of sincerity that is often lacking in more lavish productions.  Everyone left the Hall with a smile on their faces obviously having greatly appreciated all the hard work, which had been devoted to this production.  Congratulations everyone.

 

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