High on a hill in the peaks of my childhood memories, live many viewings of The Sound of Music. Catchy tunes, a dramatic wedding dress, adorable children and a nanny we all wish we could spend the day with – what’s not to love?
And theatre-goers clearly feel the same, with sold out productions around the world virtually non-stop for the past 20 years. The latest production, a revival which actually hails from the London Palladium Theatre in 2006, pays just enough homage to the original for stalwart fans yet breathes new life and detail into a story that many younger audiences won’t know. And thus, doubles-down on ticket sale potential.
All of the old favourites are there: the Lonely Goat Heard (sans marionettes this time around), My Favourite Things, Edelweiss, and showstopper Climb Ev’ry Mountain – which sends patrons out to interval with full hearts and goosebumps – are there in their full glory. Vocally, the chorus of nuns are stunning to hear; and while songs crafted just for the stage version are less impressive than the lyrics we all know and love, they do go a long way to explaining relationships and plot points that are more obtuse in the film.
The Sound of Music is traditionally Maria’s story; played genuinely and with joy by Amy Lepahmer. While she sings beautifully, supported by household names including Cameron Daddo, Marina Prior, Lorraine Bayley, David James and Jacqueline Dark as the Mother Superior, the stars of the show are undoubtedly the six locally-cast Von Trapp children, who bring a grin to your face and a tear to your eye, every time they appear on stage.
Marching through the show like seasoned performers, eighteen young performers (three sets of six) bring humour, intelligence and a sense of family to a story that fails to deliver the happy ending we expect from modern musicals. From tiny Gretl, to whip-smart Brigitta and good-hearted Kurt, each child has developed their own spin on their character meaning the show feels different for each performance (I’ve been lucky to see two casts of children this season). It’s wonderful to see children as young as seven with so much talent and passion, holding the attention of 2,000+ people every night. It’s no wonder recent revivals of Chitty Chitty Bang Bang, Mary Poppins, Annie and the current super-show, Matilda, are selling out theatres worldwide – new generations of talent and theatre-goers are made via these productions.
I will admit to being a bit put off that the songs have been moved around, somewhat, in the order of the story – but once I got over my traditionalist view, the production won me over. From it’s clever set design to the faithful costuming and familiar score, The Sound of Music will send you skipping and humming out of QPAC and confidently up your literal, or proverbial, mountain with glee.
Venue: Lyric Theatre, QPAC, Brisbane
Season: to Sunday 1 May 2016
Bookings: www.qpac.com.au or 136 246
Belinda Edwards
David Edwards is the editor of The Blurb and a contributor on film and television