The Sound of Music

We were delighted to be invited to the opening night of The Sound of Music ,a musical requiring no introduction at all . The wonderful music of Richard Rodgers with Lyrics by Oscar Hammerstein..The show opening on Broadway in 1959 and into the world famous film with Julie Andrews and Cristopher Plummer in 1965.This musical being so well known to us all needed great singing and staging ,utilising believable characters,and of course the seven children of the Von Trapp family .As a company you should be very proud of your production team for their vision and to you,the cast, for delivering an excellent evening of entertainment .

You soon feel the involvement of the production when the mountains are seen and of course the iconic ' The Sound of Music' number sung by Maria, I liked the way Maria used the whole stage and cleverly finishing the number front stage left ,with our eyes on her while the scene change took place behind  .To mention all the numbers of this musical is not necessary as one wonderful song leads on to the next ,with so many iconic titles. My favourite Things, Do -Re- Me, Sixteen Going on Seventeen and so many more. 

The staging and direction was well executed and compliments to your producer Mark Cunningham ,along with lovely movement devised by your clearly talented choreographer,Andrea Powell ,all well thought out and delivered .

The arrival of Maria to the Von Trapp house was well directed showing off the military disciplined Von Trapp family , being instructed by the hard faced,emotionless  ,whistle blowing  Capt Von Trapp played by Tommy Jones. I really enjoyed the way this and many scenes had been thought out, showing the many emotions the children expressed , and managing special teasing glances and visual effects. Comic moments were not missed either when Von Trapp referred to Maria having given many of her clothes away with regard to the one she was wearing , her answer simply being ' the poor didn't want that one'. 

As the production moved along with good pace we meet many of the other actors Liesl played very well by Abby Gains and Rolf, Declan Ryder , The Nuns ,the housekeeper the butler and various ensemble all applying their varying roles with conviction and confidence. Enter Max Detweiler ,the scheming business man ,looking to be on the right side at all times , very well played by Ben Patterson.Von Trapp's first love interest Elsa was very well performed by Rachel Cooper-Bassett. I must compliment The Mother Abbess played by Andrea Ryder Smith ,with really great acting and what a beautiful powerful voice , ably supported by the other Nuns of course . Climb Ev'ry Mountain was so excellently sung by Andrea,  bringing Act 1 to a close. 

The Von Trapp children didn't disappoint at all, thoroughly entertaining with very well delivered lines ,lovely singing and an absolute joy to watch . So sorry we couldn't see the other team , but the way the green team performed I would expect no less of the Reds.

One of my particular favourites was the clever staging and procession leading to the wedding ceremony .

The lighting was cleverly utilised and the simplistic set ,whilst creating a few teething problems worked well ,and would inevitably become easier as the week progresses.

And now to your MD Judith Pendlebury along with her excellent orchestra,what a pleasure to see such experience playing beautifully at a level where all the cast could be heard whilst hearing the music so clearly. Thank you. 

If you thought I had missed referring to Maria, well I  most certainly haven't . Ellie Ashmore, wow what a performance. Following in the footsteps of so many before is not easy  but you did so well. Your performance from start to finish never lost its energy,your acting from being angry with the Capt, to ending up in his arms ,the interactions with the children and some beautiful solo,duet and group singing. You should be really proud Well done .

Thank you all for making Sylvia and I so welcome and break a leg for the remaining shows.

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