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12th January


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Sound of Music (2004)

Click to see a larger picture of Sound of Music Directed By
Stephen Whittock

Producer
Elaine Burns
Production Type
Nomads Production

Production Location
Main Theatre


Genre: Musical / Drama Turnout: 85%

User Rating: (4.0/5 with 13 votes)

Flier Summary:

by Rodgers and Hammerstein

Box Office Line: 01483 284747

Perhaps the most famous musical of all time, THE SOUND OF MUSIC has become synonymous with Christmas. "My Favourite Things", "Do - Re- Mi", "Edelweiss" and of course, "The Sound of Music", are some theatres most famous songs. Maria, a young nun, is sent out into the world as governess to the 7 children of the widowed naval captain. With patience and common sense she wins the hearts of the children and eventually that of their father. To celebrate the 45th anniversary of the show we are proud to present this stunning new production.

The box office for Sound of Music will be open in the theatre on Saturday mornings, starting on October 30th, from 10am until 12:30pm. There is a total of 12 performances. We do expect there to be a lot of interest in this show, so don't forget to put your ticket orders in as soon as possible.


Description:

As with most people, my first experience of The Sound of Music, was seeing the 1965 film. Although beautifully photographed the memory didn't stay with me.

My next encounter with it was an amateur version for the stage show some 12 years later. This memory did linger. Here was the same story but with a far "harder" edge. Maria was not portrayed as sweet and sugary but as a vulnerable young woman making the best of a difficult circumstance and eventually conquering all doubts and fears to win through.

This was the last musical written by the songwriting genius's Rodgers and Hammerstein. As with their previous shows, it is easy to be misled into thinking that this is a sweet simple musical with nothing to say. Nothing could be further from the truth. Within its sub texts can be found statements on bigotry, religion, war not mention the pangs of growing up and falling in love.

The show has become on of the most successful musicals ever written which makes staging it with originality almost impossible. I have however, been blessed with an exceptional cast, a truly talented design, construction, technical team and wardrobe. Last, but no means least, as with Man of La Mancha last year I have at my side Lindsey Macaulay, whose musical expertise, flair and imagination seem endless. I can only say, "THANKS".

I must also mention here the hard work of our children. What they have been asked to do is incredibly difficult and they have been real little "troopers". Also my thanks must go to the parents without whose tolerance and in some cases endless admin work, I simply couldn't have done it.

So sit back, relax and enjoy The Sound of Music. I hope that our production will stir all the usual emotions whilst awakening some new ones.

Steve



THE SOUND OF MUSIC

First produced on Broadway in 1959, The Sound of Music is arguably the most popular musical of all time. The orginal London production opened in 1961 and become the most successful of the Rodgers and Hammerstein to be staged here 1965 saw the high budget and stunningly shot movie version.

Based on the real life story "Von Trapp Family Singers" and set in Austria just before the Nazis seized power, it tells the story of a young nun sent as a nanny to the seven children of a naval Captain. Gradually, using her wits, she gains the love and respect not only of the children but also of their father.

Overcoming numerous hurdles, not least of all Maria's initial dislike of the Captain, they marry. The return from their honeymoon to face a new threat to them and the children. Austria, has been invaded by the Nazis, and they are determined to "recruit" the Captain into the navy of the Third Reich. This he will not do and decides to take his family and escape Austria.

The Sound of Music contains some of Richard Rodgers' and Oscar Hammerstein's best known songs; Do - Re - Mi, My Favourite Things, Edelweiss and Climb Every Mountain. Virtually every song from the show has become a "standard" and has been performed in every conceivable style.

We are very proud to be performing the last amateur performance in the UK prior to its return to the West End.



Production Dates & Prices:
(Please note Booking Information)

 Date
Time
Members Price
Non-Members
Price
 
 Thursday 9th December 2004
7:30pm
£7.00 - £10.00
£7.00 - £10.00
 Friday 10th December 2004
7:30pm
£7.00 - £10.00
£7.00 - £10.00
 Saturday 11th December 2004
2:30pm
£7.00 - £10.00
£7.00 - £10.00
FULL HOUSE
 Saturday 11th December 2004
7:30pm
£7.00 - £10.00
£7.00 - £10.00
 Sunday 12th December 2004
2:30pm
£7.00 - £10.00
£7.00 - £10.00
FULL HOUSE
 Tuesday 14th December 2004
7:30pm
£15.00
£15.00
 Wednesday 15th December 2004
7:30pm
£7.00 - £10.00
£7.00 - £10.00
 Thursday 16th December 2004
7:30pm
£7.00 - £10.00
£7.00 - £10.00
FULL HOUSE
 Friday 17th December 2004
7:30pm
£7.00 - £10.00
£7.00 - £10.00
FULL HOUSE
 Saturday 18th December 2004
2:30pm
£7.00 - £10.00
£7.00 - £10.00
FULL HOUSE
 Saturday 18th December 2004
7:30pm
£7.00 - £10.00
£7.00 - £10.00
FULL HOUSE
 Sunday 19th December 2004
2:30pm
£7.00 - £10.00
£7.00 - £10.00
FULL HOUSE


Cast: (in programme order)
Julia Chapman ... Maria Rainer
Jayne Wilcox ... Sister Berthe
Judy Tweedale ... Sister Margaretta
Brenda Brooks ... The Mother Abbess
Denise Hull ... Sister Sophia
Colin Wolrich ... Captain Georg von Trapp
Joan Le Grange ... Franz, the butler
Joan Partridge ... Frau Schmidt
Roanna Cochrane ... Liesl
Catherine (ces) Scott ... Liesl
Guy Stevenson ... Team A: Friedrich
ella simms ... Team A: Louisa
Daniel Lee-Cross ... Team A: Kurt
Isobel Ackerman ... Team A: Brigitta
Louise Cobb ... Team A: Marta
Sophie Anne Brown ... Team A: Gretl
Matthew Kalorkoti ... Team B: Friedrich
Louise Young ... Team B: Louisa
Tom Napier ... Team B: Kurt
Emma Dane ... Team B: Brigitta
Jenny Cobb ... Team B: Marta
Anna Bainbridge ... Team B: Gretl
Josh Wolrich ... Team C: Friedrich
Bethany Hearn ... Team C: Louisa
Chris Way ... Team C: Kurt
Georgie Eastell ... Team C: Brigitta
Jodie Wolrich ... Team C: Marta
Zachary Wolrich ... Team C: Gunter
Jonathan Cotterill ... Rolf Gruber
Joanne Hopkins ... Elsa Schraeder
Bronwyn Elliott ... Ursula
Andrew Hamel-Cooke ... Max Detweiler
Paul Le Blanc Smith ... Herr Zeller
Phil Wilcox ... Baron Elberfeld
Kirsty Clifton ... Baroness Elberfeld
Catherine (ces) Scott ... A New Postulant
Phil Wilcox ... Admiral von Schreiber
Phil Wilcox ... Bishop
Bronwyn Elliott ... Nun
Francis Pindar ... The Helper
Kirsty Clifton ... Nun
Laurence Armitage ... Nazi
Zoe Triantafillou ... Nazi

Crew: (in programme order)
Stephen Whittock ... Director
Elaine Burns ... Producer
Simon Waldman ... Stage Manager
David Armitage ... Stage Crew
David Smee ... Stage Crew
Elaine Burns ... Stage Crew
Heather Gilligan ... Stage Crew
Matthew Jenner ... Stage Crew
Stuart Bangs ... Stage Crew
Ian Harwood ... Fly Crew
Barry Pilcher ... Fly Crew
Rupert Ellick ... Set Design
David Payne ... Set Construction
David Romeo ... Set Construction
Gordon Hilliker ... Set Construction
Heather Gilligan ... Set Construction
Kirsty Clifton ... Set Construction
Matthew Jenner ... Set Construction
Rob Fee ... Set Construction
Sam Ratcliff ... Set Construction
Simon Hallett ... Set Construction
Simon Waldman ... Set Construction
Stuart Bangs ... Set Construction
Tom Thomas ... Set Construction
David Smee ... Set Painting
Gordon Hilliker ... Set Painting
Heather Gilligan ... Set Painting
Tim Williams ... Sound Design
Tim Williams ... Sound Operator
Francis Pindar ... Sound Operator
Jill Evans ... Costume Design
Sylvia McKinley ... Costume Assistant
Elizabeth Grimstone ... Costume Assistant
Lisa Arnold ... Properties
Jennie Hamel-Cooke ... Properties
Clive Mott ... Front of House Manager
Susan Pindar ... Front of House
Susan Pindar ... Box Office
Bill Pearson ... Matron
Colin Wolrich ... Matron
Carol Wolrich ... Matron
Clive Grant ... Matron
Debbie Brown ... Matron
Jackie Young ... Matron
Jane Lee-Cross ... Matron
Jennifer Dane ... Matron
Katie Berry ... Matron
Mandi Napier ... Matron
Margaret Cross ... Matron
Mary Cobb ... Matron
Rosemary Stevenson ... Matron
Lindsay Macaulay ... Music Director
Leanne Evans ... Musician - Flute
Mark Richardson ... Musician - Flute
Lesley Potts ... Musician - Clarinet
Louise Bonneywell ... Musician - Clarinet
Rachel Coleman ... Musician - Oboe
Amy Welmsby ... Musician - Bassoon
Jamie Crook ... Musician - Trumpet
John Reed ... Musician - Trumpet
Rob Willson ... Musician - Trumpet
Lawrence Tatnell ... Musician - Trombone
Eric Hearle ... Musician - Trombone
Phil Vivian ... Musician - Horn
Sam Rice ... Musician - Bass
Al Forbes ... Musician - Guitar
Ian Strickland ... Musician - Percussion
Dustin Conrad ... Musician - Piano
Bronwyn Elliott ... Choreographer
Catherine (ces) Scott ... Choreographer
Lauren Fantham ... Box Office
Zoe Triantafillou ... Effects / Pyrotechnics
Helen Longes ... Effects / Pyrotechnics


Act1:
Scene 1 The Nonnberg Abbey
Scene 2 A Mountainside Near the Abbey
Scene 3 The Office of the Mother Abbes the next morning
Scene 4 The Living Room of the Trapp Villa, that afternoon
Scene 5 The Summer House, that evening
Scene 6 Maria's Bedroom,. later that evening
Scene 7 A Hallway in the Villa
Scene 8 The Terrace of the Villa, six weeks later
Scene 9 A Hallway in the Villa, one week later
Scene 10 The Living Room, the same evening
Scene 11 A Corridor in the Abbey
Scene 12 The Office of the Mother Abbess, three days later
Act2:
Scene 1 The Terrace, the same day
Scene 2 A Corridor in the Abbey, two weeks later
Scene 3 The Office of the Mother Abbess, immediately following
Scene 4 A Cloister OVerlooking the Chapel
Scene 5 The Living Room, one month later
Scene 6 The Convert Hall Stage, three days later
Scene 7 The Garden of the Abbey, that night
Scene 8 The Austrian Alps


Official Review:
the review
It was mentioned in the programme notes that this would be the last amateur production of The Sound of Music before it returns to the West End. The Nomads gave this long-time favourite a good send-off ahead of the planned professional revival.

The opening was impressive as the nuns of Nonnberg Abbey sang, initially from the wings and then in front of the attractively lit stained glass windows. It took a while to understand why the performers wore personal mikes when their voices should surely have carried throughout the small Nomads Theatre. In the event, this was justified by the near-ideal balance with the offstage orchestra under the musical direction of Lindsay Macaulay.

Enter Maria, the eager but possibly misfit postulant. Julia Chapman exemplified all her character's bright-eyed enthusiasm with her faultless interpretation of the title song, in an evocatively lit scene. She sang all her other numbers with equal clarity and was believable in most of the mood changes she had to go through. Colin Wolrich had the right bearing for Georg von Trapp, the naval hero, although his icy exterior did not fully melt when he finally recognised his love for Maria and they came together for An Ordinary Couple. Their wedding scene, with some nuns around them and others singing from the well-raked stairs in the auditorium, was movingly portrayed.

Andrew Hamel-Cooke personified the ever optimistic freeloading Max and Joanne Hopkins showed Elsa's hard edge with very few words when she realised that she'd lost Georg's affection, to Maria. Brenda Brooks, the Mother Abbess, looked and acted totally like a woman who had lived a long, pious life but had difficulty finding a comfortable vocal range in Climb Ev'ry Mountain. Roanna Cochrane projected all the teenage naivete of Leisl, best shown in Sixteen Going On Seventeen, where she was partnered by Jonathan Cotterill, the infatuated Rolf. Joan Partridge brought a recognisably humane touch to Frau Schmidt, the housekeeper.

The Nomads had around 60 applicants when they auditioned for the six younger von Trapp children. If the three teams chosen were all of the standard I saw, the society has a rich pool of young talent to draw on. Their stage discipline was excellent and they sang My Favourite Things and Edelweiss appealingly.

The stage crew worked tirelessly to create one location after another in remarkably little time. Inevitably, though there were occasional slight pauses in continuity, some but not all of these were covered by action in front of the curtain. The sustained applause at the end must have shown director Steve Whittock and the entire team that their efforts had been worthwhile.

By Tony Flook


Related News:
Jan 2005 BOX OFFICE... BOX OFFICE...
Dec 2004 Sound of Music Box Office!
Nov 2004 SOUND OF MUSIC & SINGALONG!
Oct 2004 BOX OFFICE... BOX OFFICE...
Sep 2004 BOX OFFICE...
Jun 2004 AUDTIONS: Sound of Music


Recommendations:
The Sound Of Music [1965]
The Sound Of Music [1965]
The Sound of Music [SOUNDTRACK]
Julie Andréws Sings Richard Rodgers [IMPORT]


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