The Sound of Music Youth edition

Regular theatre patrons will be familiar with this well-known story, but some of the cast from The Theatre Factory may not have been so familiar, which is why it is great when youngsters are in a position to experience the story first hand. The Youth Edition contains all the essential elements of the adult version; Maria a free spirited young Austrian woman studying to become a nun at Nonnberg Abbey, being sent to the home of a retired naval officer and his seven children which have been raised according to strict military discipline, their relationship and the eventual impact of the Third Reich which annexed Austria and the family’s ultimate escape to Switzerland.

Director and Choreographer Leanne Cook utilised a simple set with a few pieces of furniture, set against a variety of good-looking rear stage projections, which together were more than adequate in setting each scene. The brief but melodic ‘Preludium’ by the Nuns was impressive and when Maisie Forrester appeared as Maria and sang ‘The Sound of Music’, Maisie was an absolute delight, capturing that care -free warm and eager youthfulness. Her presence was matched by Freya Skelton as Mother Abbess, dignified, authoritative but warm and her number ‘Maria ’with the nuns including  Sister Bertha (Jorgie Ardis), Sister Margaretta (Frankie Cook Stephens) and  Sister Sophia (Rosie Walton) was lovely and concluded with some great harmony.

On meeting Capt. Von Trapp, Matthew Houghton quickly established himself, commanding, with great diction but not without we find later, being kind hearted. His seven children (with perfect reducing height order) were played with great characterisations -  Liesel (Isobel Morgan), with Louisa (Harriette Townsend) Kurt (Harry Woolfenden), Brigitta (Poppy Banks), Marta (Georgia Perrigo), Friedrich (Edith Dean) and not forgetting Gretl of course (Rosie Woolfenden) for the performance I attended. ‘Lonely Goatherd’ sang by Maria and the children was well choreographed.

Liesel initially declared that she did not need a governess, but eventually admitted she did, which was well handled by Isobel, who was also a pleasing dancer, and her partnership with Rolf (Phoenix Wilson – great voice) was a delight. Libby Faulkner played Francis the Butler well with formality and Tabitha Keenan was equally good as the sympathetic and caring Frau Schmidt, the housekeeper. Von Trapp’s close friend the charming Max Detweller was played by Frankie Cook Stephens with great panache, natural movement, flamboyance and full of fun.

There were many special moments that I enjoyed but one that lingers with me, was when Von Trapp heard the children sing with Maria, and realised the whistle he had always used to engage with them was no longer needed. Good support too from Eva Davis and Mabel Wilding as Herr Zeller and Admiral Von Schreiber respectively. The iconic ‘Climb Every Mountain’ was well sung by Freya and the nuns joined in for the concluding high point. When it came to the concert arranged by Max, which provided the moment of escape for the family, Matthew sang ‘Edelweiss’ with great sincerity.

Throughout, the pace of the dialogue was good and this production was another example of The Theatre Factory’s established reputation for youth theatre. Congratulations to all involved.

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