The Sound of Music

The production began with a very atmospheric performance of the Preludium. The stage was in darkness, and the Nuns, who were holding tea–lights, were scattered around the stage and auditorium and their voices sounded very clear and pure. The set was very plain – really just a set of black steps – with chorus members dressed to indicate the setting and props for each scene. It was a bit unusual, but it enabled the multitudinous scenes to be changed in seconds. In fact scenes were changed so quickly that on occasions the costume changes took longer than the scene shifting! The costumes were super. The children were beautifully dressed, Maria’s clothes were a lovely mixture of very plain and rather attractive and the Baroness was very stylish. Sally Britton was a very attractive Maria, singing well and with good acting skills. Her scenes with the children, who were all delightful, were very convincing. Rebecca Woodhead and George Lambourne, Liesl and Rolf, gave a lovely rendition of “I am Sixteen”. Andrew Morgan was a dignified Captain and Jack Shaw-Downie was excellent as the ebullient Max. Katherine Evans sang and acted with great maturity as the Mother Abbess, gently, yet firmly, looking after her charges. The singing throughout was excellent, and Martin Paterson, the musical director, and the other two members of the orchestra were great, accompanying well and letting us clearly hear the singing. The musical was a good mix of the light hearted and the more serious. Every member of the cast seemed confident and was totally focused on their part of the proceedings and all those involved, both on and back stage should be congratulated on this excellent production.

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