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The Sound of Music

Author: Michael Lee Avery

Information

Date
8th November 2019
Society
Hexham Amateur Stage Society
Venue
The Queen's Hall Arts Centre, Hexham
Type of Production
Musical
Director
Jude Long
Musical Director
Robert Laws
Associate Director
Will Long

Despite its age, “The Sound of Music” retains its magic, entertaining a happy full house the evening I attended.  By now, most theatregoers know the tale of the Austrian Von Trapp family on the eve of the Second World War; a novice nun called Maria, who joins them as governess of seven children; the widowed Captain Von Trapp, coldly remote from those children; the effect Maria has upon them all; and their escape over the Austrian Alps.  Being a musical, there is also romance, humour and, above all, the music of Rodgers and Hammerstein.

Will Long is authoritative as the Captain, delivers his lines convincingly and clearly and performs his musical contributions well.  He is an austere widower in early scenes transforming into a loving father and new husband, as the show develops.  Gill Hall is novice nun Maria who may be a problem to the nuns of Nonnberg Abbey but not to the audience.  She carries off six familiar songs, on her own and in company, with considerable style, although I personally missed “I Have Confidence” which, I realise, was written for the film but often turns up in stage versions.  Perhaps the rightsholders have been readjusting. The group of children I saw were a talented little troupe.  Abbi Maclellan is delightful as Gretyl, stealing the show whenever the opportunity arises, but her brothers and sisters also deserve mention – Martha Cook (Liesl) has a very impressive singing voice, Oscar Sanderson (Friedrich), Zara Holtham (Louisa), George Laidler (Kurt), Edie Long (Brigitta) and Amelie Manning (Marta) all sing well and show the individual traits of their characters. 

The show opens with a chorus of nuns, twelve strong, plus the Mother Abbess (Judith Elliott) and her amusing, musical cohort of three - Sisters Bertha (Lizzi Freeman-Bradley), Margaretta (Vikki Barr) and Sophia (Wynne Potts).  They sing the opening “Preludium” together authentically, the "cohort" sing amusingly about "Maria", the Mother Abbess closes Act One movingly with “Climb Every Mountain” and also has some suitably affecting scenes with Maria.

Young Liesl and Rolf (Noah Newsom) are a winsome couple and Rolf, of course, despite having become a Nazi, redeems himself when he needs to. Clair Applegarth is amusing as the Captain’s would-be fiancée and loser in love. Elsa.  Steve Mobbs is suitably dubious but entertaining as the Captain’s friend, Max, who also just happens to be a musical impresario. There is so much to say about this show and I’ve said nothing about the orchestra, sets, costumes, lighting.  That is actually a good thing.  It means all musical and technical aspects complement the performance perfectly, helping create this very enjoyable production.  

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