The Sound of Music

This production of The Sound of Music presented a clear and thoughtful interpretation of the classic musical, supported by a committed cast, capable creative team, and a well-organised ensemble.

Melissa Tavendale brought warmth and sincerity to the role of Maria, with a clear vocal performance and a strong sense of character throughout. Her portrayal captured Maria’s optimism and enthusiasm effectively. Marcus Wylie delivered a solid performance as Captain Georg von Trapp, portraying the character’s authority and emotional restraint convincingly, with a noticeable progression as the story developed.

Chloe Devlin was outstanding, giving a confident performance as Mother Abbess, with Climb Ev’ry Mountain delivered with vocal strength and assurance. Sarah Tanner portrayed Elsa Schraeder with composure and elegance, while Craig Nicoll provided a lively and engaging Max Detweiler, contributing humour and contrast within the narrative.

The von Trapp children (on the performance I saw) : Carys Morgan (Liesl), Logan McKay (Friedrich), Gabi Patino Mains (Louisa), Gregor Paterson (Kurt), Freya-Rose Edgar (Brigitta), Gabriella Cathcart (Marta) and Sophia-Rose Scott (Gretl) performed with good focus and discipline, demonstrating strong effort across both acting and vocal work. Their performances contributed positively to the overall storytelling and structure of the production.

The Abbey scenes were well supported by the nuns; Sister Margaretta (Jen Harris), Sister Sophia (Kaitlyn Stott), and Sister Berthe (Jean Bain), who brought consistency and light characterisation to their roles.

Jonah Phillipson-Masters gave a confident portrayal of Rolf, handling the role’s shifting motivations with clarity. Lynne Binnie (Frau Schmidt) and Jack Brown (Franz) offered thoroughly entertaining supporting performances that added structure and context to the household scenes.

The ensemble fulfilled multiple roles throughout the production, including nuns, soirée guests, and the concert audience. Their work was well-organised and contributed effectively to scene transitions and the overall scale of the production.

Direction by Stoo Whyte ensured clear storytelling and a steady pace throughout. Musical direction from Shona Morgan maintained consistent vocal and orchestral standards, supporting the cast well. Choreography by Caitlyn Rose was appropriate to the style of the piece and was executed with clarity and control.

Clever use of lighting and simple effective set with changes managed slickly and effectively by the crew, combined with appropriate costuming ensured this production of The Sound of Music was competently staged and performed, demonstrating solid preparation, musical reliability, and a clear understanding of the material.

It provided an enjoyable and well-structured theatrical experience.

Well Done TADAMS. Thank you for the invitation.

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