The Sound of Music

The Sound of Music is a much loved and often performed musical, but the interpretation by Dinnington Operatic Society, under direction of Ashley Booker, was fresh and new so from the opening number – with excellently choreographed nuns – it was clear that this was going to be something special.

There are some challenging numbers in the score and they were all delivered excellently, particularly Preludium and Alleluia.  Congratulations to Musical Director, Jonathan Wilby, and the nine-piece band for strong music throughout.  Amy Elisabeth as The Mother Abess was a commanding presence, but showed a genuine warmth towards Maria.   Lindsey Dilks (Sister Berthe), Gail Cobb (Sister Margaretta) and Natasha Ellison (Sister Sophia) were a wonderful trio of nuns.

Richard Hinchliffe as Captain Von Trapp dispensed with the stiff and starchy Captain, made popular by the movie, and was more authentic in his ‘worried single-dad’ against a changing and scary world response to the growing situation around him.  I loved this portrayal and felt it really added to the production.  His interactions with Kirstie Turnbull as Baroness Elsa Schraeder and Gary St John as Max Detweiler were comedic and entertaining.  Turnbull and St John had a great rapport particularly in ‘No Way to Stop It’.  St John was an effortless Max and most enjoyable to watch.  The love-struck teenagers Jade Hemming (Liesl) and Scott Walker (Rolf Gruber) had some touching moments and ‘Sixteen Going On Seventeen’ did not disappoint.

Every cast member is worthy of a mention, but the children were a delight.  Team Kittens had just the right level of childishness without over-playing at any point.  Their production numbers were wonderful and with their confident stage presence, excellent delivery of lines and beautiful characterisation they were a delight to behold. (I would have married Von Trapp to be their mother!).  I was sorry to not see Team Whiskers as well, but it was clear that Team Kittens have been supported and directed to give their all whilst also enjoying their time on stage, so I am sure Team Whiskers have had the same experience.  There was great strength in all the cast with excellent supporting performances by Johnny Green as Franz, Nikki Potton as Frau Schmidt and Paul Raymond as Herr Zeller.  The ensemble was confident and did

Ruth Lockwood–Sorsby was a simply enchanting Maria.  There was a lightness to her step and a beautiful naivety in her delivery.  Her interactions with the children were wonderful and it was clear that she had built a positive working relationship with them so that the empathy on stage was real.  Her solo numbers were stunning and her love of the role, the songs and the musical came through in her performance.  She really was a fabulous Maria and deserving of all the plaudits.

The set was well designed and executed to enable the pace of the production to be maintained.  I particularly liked that the cast did walk up the mountain at the end.  Looking at the set it wasn’t clear that that would be possible, but it was the perfect finishing touch - well done to Mark Wareing and Richard Concannon for your designing and building skills.  Movement throughout the show was well thought through and, whilst the show is not known for its big break-out routines, Daisy Mikulik (Choreographer) brought some creative touches to the opportunities available.

Costumes were beautiful and had all been created in-house, as were wigs – the time which had been spent on creating such a beautiful wardrobe were not lost on the audience, congratulations to Lesley Batty, Samantha Smedley and all the team as it must have represented hours and hours of work.  The props and furniture were well made and swiftly moved around the stage by cast and crew to add to the show.  Sound, light and special effects were to a high standard and the whole production was a great evening’s entertainment. 

The sell-out audiences are going to have a wonderful time this week and be thoroughly entertained. Ashley Booker, Director, along with the Production Team and the Committee should be congratulated on an excellent production.  

© NODA CIO. All rights reserved.