The Sound of Music

The Sound of Music

Presented by

MELLOW DRAMATICS

Based on the memoirs of Maria von Trapp, The Story of the Trapp Family Singers. Music by Richard Rogers, Lyrics by Oscar Hammerstein, an absolute classic Rogers and Hammerstein musical which was to be their final collaboration.

Maria is the proverbial square peg in a round hole, not a true fit for Abbey life, so is sent off to be the governess to Captain Von Trapp’s seven unruly children, infamous for causing governesses to quit. Maria teaches them to sing and embrace life again after the loss of their mother. With her charming and sometimes wayward genteel ways she also charms the Captain to love again. The story is set during the rise of growing darkness of mid-thirties Nazism, Germany invades Austria, forcing the whole family to flee to safety.  

Maria sweetly portrayed and sung by Sarah Towle, playing the gauche troublesome postulate with a lovely finesse.

Captain Von Trapp - Elliot Bishton portrayed the former ship’s captain, expecting instant response from his staff and children, falling under the spell of wealthy businesswoman Elsa, Lucy Robinson, he plans to marry again, until he sees Elsa and his good friend Max - Alan Lowe starting to kowtow to the party line, which he fervently disagrees with, his attitude bringing him to the attention of the local occupying Nazi forces.

The hierarchy at the Abbey was very well demonstrated, wonderful harmonies from the sisters and I must mention the wonderful voice of Mother Abbess - Jean Edwards. Excellent performances from the children, despite a few opening night nerves, for the second set of Von Trapp children, these were definitely unwarranted. The nuns really took us back, reminiscing close family performances of the same show from yesteryear.

The scenes with Maria and the children singing the oh so familiar hit songs from the show, stirred emotions and worked very well indeed. Great use of back projections for the scenery, my only point about this was the fact that the band’s music lights showed through which distracted from the overall effect, particularly the stained glass windows of the Abbey, maybe a small barrier of some kind would have helped. Simple sets well lit.

Choreographer Abbi Burns managed to make the movement seem unhurried and unforced.

Director Chris Moss brought a deft touch to this classic musical, very easy to over egg the pudding which he resisted, and it flowed all the better for it, allowing his cast the space to pull the audience into the Austrian Tyrol.

Likewise Musical Director Tim Robinson, eked every nuance from the singing, the harmonies were a delight on the ears, the songs of course need the majestic backing of the unmistakable wonderfully played music from the band again ideal backing allowing the lyrics to shine through, excellent job.

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