The Sound Of Music Theatre Review: Reviewed at the New Victoria Theatre, Woking. We take a look at the new touring production of the classic story, 50 years on from the release of the film.
The Sound Of Music Theatre Review
It has been fifty years since Rogers and Hammerstein’s musical The Sound Of Music arrived on the silver screen in 1965, so it’s quite fitting that in 2015 we get a brand new stage musical that is touring the UK.
This new production for 2015, brought to the stage by Bill Kenwright and director Martin Connor, from a book by Howard Lindsey and Russel Crouse, kicked off its nationwide tour in January and continues through eight more venues until January 2016.
The plot of The Sound Of Music should be familiar to most by now, but here’s a recap. Actually a true story, and based on the autobiography of Maria Von Trapp herself, The Sound Of Music is a romantic tale of the Von Trapp family and their musical talents, set against the backdrop of the outbreak of World War II. The story focusses in on their personal battles against the regime of the Third Reich in Austria and their quest for freedom.
Julie Andrews famously brought to life the role of Maria in the classic 1965 original, and since then we’ve witnessed dozens of adaptations of the famous story for the stage all over the world, including the hugely successful 2009 run with talent show winner Connie Fisher in the lead role. In this brand new production all of the famous songs from the Rogers and Hammerstein original are present, including ‘Edelweiss’, ‘My Favorite Things’, ‘Do-Re-Mi’, ‘Climb Ev’ry Mountain’, and the title song – ‘The Sound of Music’.
The sets, for a touring production, are grand, impressive and diverse, easily changed from one scene to another with little effort. The sound and lighting are equally impressive and the accompanying orchestra literally note-perfect.
Martin Connor’s cast, from the absolutely superb Jessica Daley as Maria and the equally talented Steven Houghton as Captain Von Trapp, to the excellent younger players, deliver perhaps the best touring production we’ve witnessed all year. The performances are note perfect, sentimental and entrancing from start to finish. Other stand-outs in the production are Howard Samuels’ Max and in particular Jan Hartley as Mother Abess. Hartley’s vocal range and singing voice are breath-taking and a highlight of this near-perfect show.
This is musical theatre at its absolute best, and I can’t recommend it enough. Catch it near you as soon as you can.
The Sound of Music is playing at the New Victoria Theatre, Woking until 20th June, before continuing on a nationwide tour until January 2016.
The Sound Of Music Theatre Review by Paul Heath, June 2015.
