The Sound of Music

Two years on from that awful week when the society had to stop the show only three days before the opening night, CAOS was at last able to perform this well known and loved musical. With some cast changes and with the same group of children, slightly older than normal but no less effective for that, the whole cast gave a show to enjoy and remember.

The nuns’ harmonious and unaccompanied singing set the tone for the whole, a calm disciplined abbey but with a free spirited novice in Maria. In this leading role Naomi Scott was effortlessly good as madcap, tamer of children and wife. ‘The Hills are Alive’ did come alive under her singing and each subsequent number was sung with heart. She was totally natural and believable as a young girl engaging the youngsters in her care and in falling in love with the children’s father, but assertive in rejecting the father’s whistle.  In his first principal role as Captain von Trapp, Aiden O’ Carroll was suitably distinguished and distant at first but steely in his resolve not to give in to bullies. He accompanied the family’s singing well and sang 'Edelweiss' truly and movingly. The children* all gave polished performances transforming from the drilled automatons of first acquaintance to personalities of their own like the shy Kurt, outspoken Brigitta and engaging Gretl. Fiona Cantlay as the eldest, Liesl, gave us a growing teenager and protector of her siblings. She struck all the right notes in her relationship with the young postman Rolf played by Colin Young. For me, his demeanour and delivery of dialogue was spikier that I remembered and showed the characteristics of the Nazi he was becoming. It was a shock therefore when he did not betray the family as they hid in the garden. Their duet was charming and indeed the singing and harmonies of all the children in ‘So Long, Farewell’ and in all their numbers was delightful. The Sisters Berthe, Margaretta, and Sophia sang and bickered wonderfully. However in the role of Mother Abbess Angela Dickinson came into her own. With her calm good sense, her unruffled demeanour she was a role model in leadership. Her singing of ‘Climb Every Mountain’ moved us all, powerful and emotional, with every note counting especially that soaring and beautifully held last note. The supporting principals all brought their own interpretations of their roles: Brian McKay as Max made clear the dangerous tightrope he was walking; Jenne McLure gave us a charming Baroness Elsa who choose a safer life; Mhairi Stewart as the Housekeeper showed, often comically, where her allegiances lay while Franz did his about turn with the same aplomb as his job as Butler. The minor principals, the Eberfelds, the postulants and the fiercesome Nazi, all maintained the tone.

This was a well produced show. The cast were comfortable in their roles. The stage is smallish but the use of cloths for the abbey and for the Van Trapp home gave a sense of space and of wealth. The stairs gave an added dimension. All gave room for the actors to perform. The singing was beautiful and the musicians melodious and supportive to the singers. Overall this was an extremely enjoyable show that in our current war torn world also gave us pause for thought of the cost to individuals and families giving up their homes for freedom. Well done to all involved.

*The children:

Fiona Cantlay as Liesl, Stewart Watson Friedrich, Lucy Underwood as Louisa, Katherine Lee as Brigitta, Rory Scott as Kurt, Alixe Anderson as Marta and Amelie Morley as Gretl.

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