The Sound of Music

An interesting production with a great deal of the show in traditional style with some nice touches here and there.

Maria played very well by Emma Ward was a very smiley and pleasant Maria with a lovely tone to her singing voice and a good rapport with the children, which is so important.   Chris Lowe as Captain von Trapp sung beautifully, but I felt that Chris was not as military in his bearing as we expect in this very disciplined character.   The transition when he softened towards the very strict regime he had created towards his children was well placed and played, and his dialogue throughout was good.

Corrina Wilson as Elsa Schraeder gave a very strong performance with a lovely rich singing voice and good clear diction and expression.   Max Detweiler played by Jonathan Davis  was a rather subdued Max.  His character has really great lines with a fun element in the character which was rather underplayed.  Max is the only character in the show able to give some light relief from the adult cast.

Dawn King as the Mother Abbess was so well cast in this lovely, supporting and understanding, Mother figure.  The solo at the end of Act 1 “Climb every Mountain” was quite beautiful, and the soaring finish, which was sustained, a pure delight.

Pat Prestney as Frau Schmidt made her character very gentle and caring, not always how this part is portrayed, and I liked this style very much.   Molly Osborne as Liesl and Harry Totham as Rolf were a well matched duo and  “Sixteen going on Seventeen” was so beautifully choreographed by Adam Woodhouse.  It really did flow and was so well danced and sung by this couple.  These are two stars in the making I am sure !

The Nuns, Sister Berthe,Sophia and Margaretta played by Rachael Lowe, Barbara Scully and Charlotte Butcher and the chorus of Nuns & Postulants were in good voice with some intricate harmonies all very well balanced.   Some harmonies lapsed a little here and there, but  generally all the songs were well sung.

The children were well drilled and delightful with super costumes.  Laura Fernyhough as Brigitta did so well and was a joy in delivering her lines with a great understanding of them.

All the supporting cameo parts were good.  I especially liked Herr Zeller played by Graham Bowden who got his character “spot on”and spoke his dialogue in a firm precise manner which was so right in this part.

I would like to comment that I felt the costumes, especially one or two of the principal adults, needed more thought and care in the choice.   For example Captain von Trapp’s jacket in his opening scene was just not right, and Maria’s costume when arriving at the von Trapp home was too modern and a hat would, possibly, have added to the overall effect, rather as Julie Andrews wore in the film.   Just little touches here and there with Elsa as well, who would have worn very classy outfits, to give the impression of wealth and style.

Overall a most enjoyable show with great sets and swift changes from the crew kept the performance moving along well.   The lighting was good and also the sound was fairly well balanced.

As always great sounds from the Orchestra under super talented Neil Somerville and many congratulations to David King on his second production as Director for the company.

A demanding show in length, and tiring for small children, but the pace did not flag throughout.  Well done !

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