Follow North East Theatre Guide on Twitter at https://twitter.com/NETheatreGuide and on Facebook
at www.facebook.com/NETheatreGuide. Read
about JoWhereToGo and its PR and photography services here.
Nuns Vs Nazis
The Sound of
Music
Sunderland Empire
Until Saturday 25th June
2016
The
Sound of Music continues to be a popular musical and hence the Sunderland
Empire was packed on opening night. Thanks to the classic film, the Rodgers and
Hammerstein story and songs are both well known and loved.
The
story is based upon the 1949 book The
Story of the Trapp Family Singers by Maria Augusta Von Trapp. Whilst the
stage version is simplified, the audience are still exposed to the
rollercoaster of emotions that came with raising a family as Germany was about to invade Austria in the 1930s.
In
this production the story begins at the abbey as Sister Berthe (Kate Scott),
Sister Margaretta (Zoë Ann Bown) and Sister Sophia (Tammy Davies) are
discussing how successful the new intake of postulants has been with the Mother
Abbess (Jan Hartley). Whilst most have
made the grade and are ready to take their vows, there is the thorny issue of
carefree Maria (Lucy O’Byrne). They decide that they should give her some
experience of the outside world before going to the next stage. This involves
looking after the 7 children of the widowed Captain von Trapp (Andrew Lancel).
These
children have been brought up on a strict diet of education and exercise by
marching. The whole house can be summoned by whistle. Maria sets about changing
the routine and reintroducing music into their lives. The Captain is looking to
getting married to Frau Schraeder (Lucy Van Gasse) and friend Max Detweiler
(Duncan Smith) warns on the changes to the world situation thanks to Hitler.
What
makes this show a success are the memorable classics and the quality of the
delivery. The roles of the 7 children
are vital. The eldest Liesel (Annie Holland) kept the wonderfully talented
group in check. They ability to sing was a real treat. Each of the 6 younger
children’s roles are played by 3 children on rotation. On press night we had
the wonderful Zach Loizou as Friedrich, Elsa McKenna as Louisa, Zachary Pile as
Kurt, Ruby Stokes as Brigitta, Jessie Popkiewicz-Smith as Marta and Alana
Willis as Gretl. They didn’t put a foot wrong as they performed their routines
set by choreographer Bill Deamer. It is difficult not to be charmed by the
collective talent.
The
adults also had chances to show off their vocal talents. Lucy O’Bryrne was
popular with the audience as Maria. Andrew
Lancel had a lovely tone to his voice and did a much better version of Edelweiss than the film. A real treat was Jan Hartley as the Mother Abbess who was comfortable with Maria, Climb Ev’ry Mountain and accompanying Lucy on My Favourite Things.
The
music was supported by an 11 piece live band, under musical director Tim
Whiting, that did a great job throughout the show.
Designer
Gary McCann’s set was able to quickly transform between the abbey, the house
and the final concert. This helped director Martin Connor keep the action
going.
The
only niggle with the show was the sound in the first act wasn’t loud enough to
drown out the rattling crisp packets or the occasional cough. Some sung lines
were also lost in the mix. However in the second act someone had found the
volume switch and the problems went away.
The
Sound of Music is a great family show. This production allows for the natural
humour to come out. The singing is suitably inspirational and hopefully it will
encourage the younger members of the audience to sing.
Great
story telling and delightful singing combine to make The Sound of Music a show
that continues to please another generation.
Photos:
Mark Yeoman
This review was written by Stephen Oliver for
Jowheretogo PR (www.jowheretogo.com). Follow Jo on twitter @jowheretogo, Stephen
@panic_c_button or like Jowheretogo on Facebook www.facebook.com/Jowheretogo.
Bill Kenwright presents
The Sound of Music
Music by Richard Rodgers,
lyrics by Oscar Hammerstein II
Book by Howard Lindsay
and Russel Crouse
Suggested by ‘The Trapp
Family Singers’ by Maria Augusta Trapp.
Presented by special
arrangement with R&H Theatricals Europe www.rnh.com
Tickets
Tickets
on sale now and are available in person at the Box Office on
High Street West, from the Ticket Centre on 0844 871 3022* or online at www.ATGtickets.com/Sunderland*
*Calls cost 7p per
minute plus your standard network charge. Booking fees may apply to telephone
and online bookings
No comments:
Post a Comment