The Sound of Music

Where do you start with such a well known show as The Sound of Music?

If you are the director of this musical you may be fortunate to experience a young woman at the auditions who just fits the shoes of the iconic Julie Andrews. Andrea Atkinson and James Cornick did just experience this, and the rest is history.  Andrea and James have worked together on this show in the lead rolls so what better combination could the company find, it worked well and congratulations for all your hard work, I’m proud of you both.

Trevor Wilson as the company’s Musical Director pulled out all the stops with his orchestra. Such classic Richard Rodgers tunes that everyone knows; you brought them to life. Thank you also to your rehearsal accompanist, Catherine Woods, hard graft and solid team work brings success, well done to you both.

Nic Jenkins as Choreographer does not have a lot of work with the adults, no dancing nuns just a steady glide, but plenty of work with the youngsters. I loved your choreography for Lisel and Rolf in the song sixteen going on seventeen, a beautiful softness portrayed through the young love, perfect, it was a standout number in the show.

“Don’t work with children and animals”, I have heard many times, Is that because they always steal the show? Two teams were used, Mittens and Kittens, I saw the Mittens on stage and they did steal the show. The youngsters worked well as a team and I particularly enjoyed the Lonely Goatherd number it portrayed the fun of been a child. This show is such a great introduction to youngsters to musical theatre; I could see they all enjoyed the experience.

The iconic part of this show is Maria, she carries the show on her shoulders, a daunting task, but Ruth Asquith stepped up from the chorus and took it on, never before having sung a solo or with an Orchestra. Andrea and James saw her potential and they were so right. Ruth gave us the shy girl not knowing what she wanted from life; we then saw her bloom into a woman in love knowing where she wanted to be. All topped off with clear diction and tone, we are sure to see Ruth again in lead rolls.

Guiding Maria is the Mother Abbess, portrayed by Janet Miles. Janet a long standing member of the company, 33 years, and was the perfect choice to play the part. Beautiful full bodied, confident tones leading the nun’s chorus. Climb every Mountain, oh yes Janet you nailed it, Amen.

Standing as Captain Von Trap was Paul Philips. Paul has family background in the company and has taken leads before but I think this is his best yet. Paul has a great voice, but in this role he gathered much more, showing gentleness towards Maria and emotion to his fatherland. That’s what I call getting into the part; the audience had lumps in their throats.  

Heading the Von Trapp children, Jasmine Smith played Liesl. Thank you for giving us such a tender young girl coping with her first love, so beautifully done. As mentioned above your big number with Rolf was charming, you’re dancing skills were a bonus.

Rolf was played by Laurence Lorriman, a great addition to the company; enjoy your time with them. Your experience in other theatre groups showed in your portrayal of Rolf, a good polished performance, dare I mention, hope to see more of your dancing skills in the Spring show!!

Bringing comedy to the show was Will Jackson playing Max Detweiler. I see he started in Pantomime as a child, a good grounding for comedy. Great teamwork and singing with Kate Lucacsi playing Elsa Schraeder, during the two lesser known songs.  Kate you looked the absolute part in the gold sheath dress, a true “look what you’re missing” moment, so cool and elegant.

So many more cast in cameo roles, The Butler, David Ferry, the Housekeeper, Lucy Steven, surely deserve a mention, and of course the understudy to Maria, Fiona Cameron, who I did not see play the part but am reassured that she is a very competent member of the cast, and plays Maria on Saturday Matinee. To the Germans who stormed the theatre and brought us into the show as the audience, a nice touch, to the Nuns of Nonnberg Abbey, always singing in Latin which is not easy, giving the show the right feeling. Not forgetting the backstage crew, so many to mention by name but without you there would not be a show. A huge thank you to all for a great evening’s entertainment.

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