The Sound of Music

This show has all the ingredients of a successful musical – children, love interest, a hint of danger and music that you can whistle all the way home!

Of course, a necessity for the success of any show is a strong cast and in KAOS we have that in abundance.  Erin Ireland as Maria gave a very accomplished performance in all aspects. She worked well with the children and also brought out the confusion in her mind when faced with the love of Captain von Trapp. The Captain played by Ian Rowbotham maintained his upper class officer dignity at all times, resolutely refusing to accept the German annexation of Austria.

Elsa Schraeder, the Captain’s almost-wife-to-be is more open minded about the Anschluss, and Deirdre McFarlane gave a polished performance in the role. Back in the Abbey, Elizabeth Hutchings as the Mother Abbess was extremely confident in performance, not least in one of the many highlights of the show “Climb Ev’ry Mountain”. She was also supported well by the chorus of nuns, who, in turn, coped well with the Latin plain song throughout.

Then we have the children! During the week I was fortunate enough to see both groups of children perform, and I must say, from the eldest to the youngest they all performed magnificently. The two groups remained focussed at all times and their singing and spoken diction was always absolutely clear.

“The Sound of Music” offers a host of minor principal parts which here, too, were also performed with skilful characterisation. The Captain’s friend, Max Detweiler (Clark Graham) constantly reminding us that he wanted to further his status within the new government once the Anschluss transpired. The eldest daughter, Liesl, played by Stephanie Hay, worked well with Rolf (Alastair More), not least of all in their duet “Sixteen Going on Seventeen” which drew well deserved applause. Franz, the butler (Charles Sinclair), Frau Schmidt, the housekeeper (Fiona Brodie) and Herr Zeller (Peter Easson) all excelled in their own individual characters. Finally, I must mention Ian Davidson as the Captain’s future Head of Command, Admiral von Schreiber. Ian manages to take on a small part and still make it something special! I particularly appreciated his swaggering entry, his helping himself to a glass of whisky and finally settling back on the settee – at all times maintaining the centre of attention! Practiced in your lounge at home, Ian?

Well done KAOS and congratulations on achieving full houses for the entire week!

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