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NEWCASTLE IS ALIVE WITH THE SOUND OF MUSIC
The
Sound of Music
Newcastle Theatre Royal
Until Saturday
12th September 2015
With classic hits from Edelweiss to My Favourite
Things via Do-Re-Mi, this is a
popular musical with something for everyone to enjoy.
The
Sound of Music is, of course, the multiple Tony Award–winning musical by
Richard Rodgers, lyrics by Oscar Hammerstein II and a book by Howard Lindsay
and Russel Crouse dates back to 1959.
Premiered just before Hammerstein died, it would be the famous writing
partnership’s final musical. For its source it uses the memoir of Maria von
Trapp, The Story of the Trapp Family Singers. It remains at the core of our
collective childhoods thanks to the 1965 movie with Julie Andrews and
Christopher Plummer. Of course, any production of the original musical is now
closely compared with the film.
The
2015 tour features the brilliant singing talents of Danielle Hope as the young
Austrian postulant, who is training to be a nun. Danielle is fabulous as Maria
and sounds very similar to Julie Andrews. From the opening lines of that first
song The Sound of Music the
production is in very safe capable hands.
The
story begins in Nonnberg Abbey, which is where Maria is training and her record
is being discussed by Sisters Berthe (Jessica Shearman), Sophia (Katie Shearman),
Margaretta (Zoë Ann Bown) and Mother Abbess (Jan Hartley). The nun’s did a
marvellous job of the classic song Maria.
The
decision is then taken to let Maria go off to be the governess for the von Trapp
family until September. At this point the fabulous set design turns into the
von Trapp’s house and Gary McCann has created a versatile space for the fun and
frolics that take place there. Maria is introduced to the Von Trapp’s seven
children by their dad, Captain von Trapp (Steven Houghton). The seven children
are absolutely delightful. They are both well disciplined and clearly enjoying
it – an attitude which serves the show well.
The
quality of the songs for this show matches the performances given by a strong
cast. Eldest daughter Liesl (Grace Chapman) fits in with Danielle Hope and Rolf
(Luke Gruber) well on Sixteen Going On
Seventeen. Jan Hartley, in her role as Mother Abbess, finishes the first
act with a cracking rendition of Climb
Ev’ry Mountain.
As
entertaining as the show is, perhaps the first half is a little longer than it
needs be. My Favorite Things seemed
to pop up with every moment of mild peril. That said, director Martin Connor
draws some great performances from the cast, especially from the von Trapp
children.
This
production of The Sound of Music is underpinned by great songs and a talented
cast that makes for a very entertaining evening’s entertainment.
This
review was written by Stephen Oliver for the North East
Theatre Guide Preview from Jowheretogo PR (www.jowheretogo.com
). Follow Jo on twitter @jowheretogo, Stephen @panic_c_button or like
Jowheretogo on Facebook www.facebook.com/Jowheretogo
Tickets:
The Sound of Music is at Newcastle Theatre Royal from Tuesday 1st
until Saturday 12th September 2015, playing evenings at 7.30pm,
matinees on Wed 2pm (2 Sept only), Thu 2pm and Sat 2.30pm.
Tickets from £14.50 (save 50p per ticket online), children £5
off all performances (restrictions apply). Tickets can be purchased from the
Theatre Royal Box Office on 08448 11 21 21 (all calls
are charged at 7p a minute plus your phone company’s access charge, calls
from mobiles may vary, please contact your operator for details) or
book online at www.theatreroyal.co.uk
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