The Sound of Music

This is still one of the iconic musicals and ever popular with audiences everywhere.  The opening sequence, not the easiest to sing, was performed well by the nuns of Nonnberg Abbey.  Sally Emerson portrayed the Mother Abbess with great warmth but with the right amount of authority throughout.  From the minute she entered Sam Holden sang and acted excellently in the role of Maria.  She matured through the show from the naïve and headstrong novice to the controlled Baroness Von Trapp.  She blended well with the children and was a good contrast to Simon Dale as the austere Captain Von Trapp.  The children sang delightfully and with great enthusiasm throughout, with young Alexa-Jals Simpson touching the audience’s hearts as Gretl in ‘So Long, Farewell’.  Rebecca Dale and Joe Winterschladen blended well together as Lisle and Rolf.  Alison Dale and Ken Horsley gave good support as Von Trapp’s initial love Frau Schraeder and the lovable Uncle Max.

All minor principals gave good solid performances.  It is always difficult to know how to deal with accents in a show like this but I felt in this case Herr Zeller’s was over the top.  Again Teesside used projection for their backcloths.  Whilst I fully understand this helps to reduce set costs, for me it left the stage stark and a little lacking in warmth.  Colourful costumes were provided by Alan Graham and the music was in the capable hands of John Milgate.

Congratulations to Alison Dale and her team for producing a good show appreciated by an enthusiastic audience.

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