The Sound of Music

The Sound of Music is based on the true story of the Von Trapp family who fled Austria in 1938 on the eve of the Anschluss.  A story that is familiar to us all, starting off as a Broadway hit in 1959, coming to the Palace Theatre London in 1961, and memorably the Oscar-winning film in 1965 starring Julie Andrews and Christopher Plummer.  This must be one of the few musicals ever written where most of the audience know almost every song.

The staging was good with lovely backcloths, furnishings and properties.  The costumes (Liz Milway) were very good and with a nice lighting design (Dominic Plunkett) and well controlled sound (Martyn Davies) added much to the overall effect of the production. 

The singing of both principals and ensemble was assured and precise with well controlled and well executed harmonies.  A real credit to talented Musical Director Lucas Elkin, as was the absolutely excellent orchestra.   

Although the show is heavy on music the opportunities it presented for choreography/movement was managed well by Choreographer Kathie Pugh but I did feel the show was a bit static in places particularly Maria’s first song ‘The Sound of Music’. She stood and sang when, personally, I feel this song has potential for a bit of movement.

The Nuns were fronted by Janice Chambers (Sister Berthe), Anna Murgatroyd (Sister Margaretta) and Emily Legge (Sister Sophia) who together with the impressive Caroline Dyson (Mother Abbess) combined very well in the song ‘Maria’ and the first act finale ‘Climb Ev’ry Mountain’.

This is a mammoth performance for Maria but Christine Poole was certainly up to the task.  Her singing and acting were a delight.   Matt Gregory was a perfect match as the proud but almost emotionless Von Trapp. He also showed us what a fine singing voice he has. 

The Von Trapp children are, of course, important in this story and I saw the talented Team Mountains on the opening night led by the confident Ekaterina Rahr-Bohr as Liesl. Completing the team were Oliver (Friedrich), Lily (Louisa), Bruce (Kurt), Beatrice (Brigitta), Isabel (Marta) and Amalie (Gretl), They were a pleasure to watch and listen to. 

Sam Fuller gave a suave and confident performance as the resourceful but selfish Max Detweiler and he combined effectively with Elsa Schraeder played by Sally Goldsmith. She portrayed her sophisticated character well and proved she has a great voice in ‘ How Can Love Survive’ and the less well known song ‘No Way to Stop It’. There was a nice rendering of ‘Sixteen Going on Seventeen’ from Liesl and Rolf (Deejay Latchuman).  All the other principal parts were well handled.

I have to say that the ending of the show was very poignant.  The family head off to a new life in Switzerland and as the Nuns reprise ‘Climb Every Mountain’ the family were silhouetted against the mountains.

A long but enjoyable evening at a favourite show in a filled to capacity theatre. Thank you Cambridge Operatic.

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