The Sound of Music

The Sound of Music must be one of the most popular musicals of our time for no matter where it is performed, it attracts a following of very knowledgeable audiences who know the show backwards, always applaud at the appropriate times and produce handkerchiefs at regular intervals throughout this emotional show.

So it was at Whitby. The opening chorus of nuns singing The Preludium unaccompanied was excellent, and the show carried on from this point with a fervour and intensity of concentration which involved the entire cast.

Sam Wormald, as Maria gave a well controlled performance, changing her moods and emotions to suit each separate action, particularly with the von Trapp children.Her stage presence was good and her singing was a delight.

Complementary to Maria was Gordon Smyrell taking the part of Captain von Trapp, and again his actions commanded the stage. His change from the martinet to a more relaxed and loving father showed a good understanding of the role.

The children, well chaperoned by Paige Stewart as Liesl, were completely delightful and performed with great enthusiasm and charm. One would have thought that they had been in theatre for years, such was their confidence.

Alastair Bolton, who played Max Detweiller showed the audience how to go with the flow and not upset either the status quo or protest about changes which might come about under a new regime. He was ably supported by Helen Green as Elsa Schraeder. Other members of the cast gave good solid portrayals of their characters and were believable in their roles. Janet Cocker as the Mother Abbess brought tears to many an eye with her superb rendition of Climb Every Mountain.

David Carrack, the Society’s Musical Director had obviously done some very hard work with the principals and chorus, the results of which were shown on the stage and his orchestra of ten instrumentalists were always accompanying the stage action, not intruding.

Lighting and staging were of a high standard, with scene changes being carried out with the minimum of fuss.

Rosalie Abel has a right to be proud of her achievements in directing this show.

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