The Sound Of Music

On a balmy summer’s evening what could be a better setting than the grounds of English Heritage’s Eynsford Castle for an outdoor production of this iconic musical. Because it is so iconic I am sure at the forefront of everybody’s mind will be Julie Andrews as Maria and Christopher Plummer as Captain Von Trapp. You have to put those thoughts aside and enjoy this production with fresh eyes with Director Kirstie McMillan’s different creative ideas.

The staging had to be built from scratch out of scaffolding. I marvelled at how they were able to achieve different levels which could become the Abbey, the Von Trapp residence and the concert stage. There were a lot of steps at the front and for exits and entrances. The grassed area in front of the stage was used to good effect when the whole ensemble were involved. A large, curtained window at the back of the stage became a stained-glass window in the Abbey or French windows in the residence. Furniture was moved quietly by the visible backstage crew but this did not really detract at all. Sound was amplified by the use of mics for the main characters as was the musical accompaniment by the hidden orchestra led by MD Lynda Newton. That must have been a challenge in itself but I did not detect any problems. Sunlight provided lighting to start with but as dusk fell the lights on the front of the audience raked seating, together with the spots at the back of the seating came into their own but what created a wonderful atmosphere was the occasional coloured lighting highlighting the castle’s walls. Costumes were excellent.The choreography team gave us suitable movements for available space and this large cast.

This musical completely rests on the shoulders of one character, Maria Rainer, (Rhiannon Williams-Pike).  Rhiannon did a remarkable job making the character her own. I never once felt like she was trying to fill anyone else’s shoes.  She had  sincerity of performance; her voice was beautiful and both her chemistry with the children and the Captain felt genuine. David Jones captured the role of Captain Von Trapp, from stern disciplinarian to loving father. He mastered the songs well and he and Maria gelled. I liked the comedic character of Benjamin Newton as Max Detweiller but  also being able to switch to the seriousness of helping the family escape. Kathryn Southgate-Pay as Elsa Schraeder, Subhash Goswami as butler Franz and Lorraine Slipper as housekeeper Frau Schmidt all contributed with strong supporting performances. Katie Aitchison as Lisl was a good all-round performer and the scenes between her and Pete Gardiner who played telegraph boy Rolf were well played and showed the innocence of young love. The Von Trapp children (Team Bread) Will Sexton - Friedrich, Holly Keefe - Louisa, Charlie Webb - Kurt, Madeleine Fewkes - Brigitta, Ivy Stafford – Marta, all made their own individual characters and were well disciplined, but we musn’t forget Hannah Newton as the youngest, Gretl, with her cheekiness and cuteness, she stole every scene she was in! Another iconic moment came when Mother Abbess- Jen Armstrong, closed the first act with a wonderful rendition of Climb Every Mountain. Not a dry eye in the house, I’m sure!

This was a hugely ambitious production to undertake but Kirstie you and your talented cast and the rest of the team of The Riverside Players, made it a night to remember.

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