The Sound of Music

Amazingly this was a first for me! Having watched the wonderful film version many times, I had never seen the stage version of the musical and it didn’t disappoint.

From the warm welcome given by musical director Stephen and director Sabrina, the theatre really was filled with ‘the sound of music’. By way of a change, I would like to talk a little about the fabulous costumes that really added detail and an extra special element to the production and I’m sure enabled each person to truly become their individual character on stage. The simple scenery was effective in giving us the illusion of being transported seamlessly from scene to scene; there was a few moments of hesitation with the cross on the afternoon I attended, however this was quickly rectified and made the audience smile a little.

This really was one of the best cast productions I have seen in a long time with everyone being perfect for their part. Emily Cottrell was superb as Maria, bringing both naivety and likability to the role. Her initial feeling of shock when meeting Captain Georg Von Trapp played by Ben Cuffin-Munday and eventually falling into love, were utterly believable, both interacting perfectly as their on-stage relationship developed. Both their voices are real quality and this was demonstrated through the numerous well-known musical numbers. Gilly Harris also gave a super performance as Mother Abbess, I’ve seen her in the last few QMTS shows and I think this is her best yet. Alex Stait and Gareth Knipe played Elsa Schrader and Max Detweiler respectively, both were well suited to their roles.

Moving on to the all important children. On the date I attended, we had the pleasure of being entertained by team Strudel led by the older Liesl von Trapp Milly Owen. Who was joined by her young siblings (Louisa) Olivia Greenway, (Fredrich) Ben Foulerton, (Brigitta) Phoebe Hampton, (Kurt) Daniel Greenway, (Marta) Polly Lewis-Gvozdenovic and (Gretl) Georgina Roberts. With no exception, the children embraced the opportunity to entertain the audience and were excellent in every way. It’s such a shame that I couldn’t also see team Schnitzel, however I’m sure they were just as good plus it wouldn’t be fair to compare.

Other principals as listed were: Lucy Abraham (Sister Margaretta), Daisy Logan (Sister Sophia), Kate Perks (Sister Berthe), Tracey Scott (Frau Schmidt), Gianluca Handy (Rolf Gruber), Steve Harris (Herr Zeller), Sam Logan (Admiral Von Schreiber), Ben Evans (Franz). These members plus a fourteen strong supporting ensemble made for a full stage during the chorus numbers with some great choreography and wonderful rich sounding harmonies throughout – you all sounded fabulous.

I can’t finish before mentioning a few of the highs of the afternoon for me: ’Preludium’, ‘My Favourite Things’, ‘Sixteen Going On Seventeen’, ‘Morning Hymn’, ’Climb Every Mountain’, ’Edelweiss’, ‘Maria’, ’The Sound Of Music’; goodness I could go on and on!

Congratulations everyone involved with this superb production. Plus a massive well done to the production team including Craig Cattell (production manager), Emily Owen (assistant production manager) and Ben Evans (production assistant) not forgetting the backstage and technical people without whom the show would never have come to fruition. The cast enjoyed a well-earned standing ovation on the date I attended.

As the saying goes: “you are only as good as your last production”. In my humble opinion, this was up right there with Oliver!, Made in Dagenham and The Addams Family.

Thank you once again for the invitation.

© NODA CIO. All rights reserved.