The Sound of Music

After being warmly greeted by the front of house and raffle tickets purchased, I took my seat in the auditorium and settled down for what I hoped was going to be a very good evening. I was not to be disappointed. The lights dimmed, the music started and away we went. 

The stage was a clever use of syche gauses with the sisters all there singing their praises to God with an abbey cloth in place. When the time came this was replaced by the eponymous mountain scene cloth and lastly a full ballroom/lounge set. All were very well used and kept the stage fairly free allowing good movement from the cast and crew. The set was also very well lit. dark and almost foreboding (abbey) when needed and bright and inviting when we got to the house. The Point Theatre has always, historically, been difficult to sound, I found this not to be the case. The balance between cast/principals and the orchestra was just about right and we didn't loose any words, whether sung or spoken. The ten piece orchestra played at a good pace and kept the show flowing well.

It was quite clear though that the cast had been well directed by Wayne Reddin and the choreography, by Louise Hodson, was inventive, well rehearsed, challenging in some places but the leads and the chorus alike rose to the occasion. They all knew where they were, why and most importantly when. They looked like they were enjoying their performance and this came over well into the auditorium.

The costume department delivered some great costumes, they had obviously worked hard, it was well worth it!

Maria, the lead role was played with confidence and self assurance by Lyndsay Smith and was very ably backed up by Louis Spencer as the widowed Captain George Von Trap. Their interaction together worked very well and they also bonded with the children (tonight was the red team) believably. Backed up very well by Pete Evans as Max, Josephine Tomkins as Liesl, Patrick Edwards as Rolf and Rachel Spencer as Elsa Schraeder and the whole thing blended really well. 

However...

I have to mention Janet Green as The Mother Abbess. Her rendition of Climb Ev'ry Mountain was very powerfully delivered. It brought the house down. Janet is a very senior member of EOMS and was crisp, clear, in tune and delivered the showstopper with brilliance. 

Overall a very enjoyable "traditional" evening that I and the rest of the audience enjoyed very much. Thank you Eastleigh, that was great.

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