The Sound Of Music (Peterbrook Players)
One of the classics of musical theatre but, what makes this version from Peterbrook Players, currently running at the Core Theatre, Solihull, a little different are the regular date stamped updates of exactly what happened during that period in history when Austria was pretty much consumed by the advancing Nazi Machine, an horrific time for all concerned I am sure. I was unable to find in the programme the name of the person portraying Chancellor Hitler during these short interludes but, credit to them for a scarily authentic presence.
Fortunately despite this backdrop the story of the Von Trapp Family is a much more compelling and engaging one performed by a talented cast, led by Iona Cameron as a bubbly and energetic Maria and Thom Stafford as a quietly confident Captain Von Trapp. There is something special about the relationship they have on stage that seems to spark during the 'Something Good' number that brought a tear to my (one of happiness I might add) and following on from a few more tears when Captain Von Trapp suddenly realises he no longer knows his children, that moment always tugs at the heartstrings, it certainly did during this performance.
Talking of children, if you're an adult on stage you should never act with children (or animals) so the saying goes but, it doesn't stop any of this cast, neither does it stop the children from stealing virtually every scene with a display of coordinated stagecraft, vocals and frankly cuteness, highlighted by Imogen Turner's uber cute performance as Gretl, her siblings being Jude Maskell (Friedrich), Ben Lee (Kurt), Antonia Scott (Marta), Lilia Jervis (Louisa) and Isabel Whichello (Brigitta).
No longer seeing herself as a child (at least to begin with) Amelia Bickerton is a suitable mix of confidence and fragility as Liesl Von Trapp with a nicely melodic voice and opposite Louis Delaney as Rolf Gruber they play out the challenges of teen relationships in a changing world in a highly effective and thought provoking way.
Probably a much under-rated character is that of Max Detweiler, there is so much an actor can do with this part, who is fundamentally looking after himself and taking advantage of everything he can but, does so in an entertaining and endearing way, Andy Alton milks every drop of value from the role alongside Charlotte Boulton as Elsa Schraeder, both with dynamic stage presence and belting out two songs 'How Can Love Survive ?' and 'No Way To Stop It' (both strangely absent from the 1965 Movie) to great acclaim from the audience.
Probably the voice of the night has to be Fiona Krober's stunningly operatic Mother Abbess mixing nicely with those of Rachel Perks (Sister Bertha), Chloe Rawson (Sister Sophia) and Andrey Martin (Sister Margaretta) for the much loved number 'Maria'.
Credit to Kirsteen Stafford (Director), Paula Whitehouse (Musical Director) and Suzanne Ballard-Yates (Choreographer) for creating a professional and entertaining production, always a difficult task for the most well known of musicals like this one.
Performances run until Sunday 20th October 2019, so get your tickets while you can and 'have confidence' you'll be thoroughly entertained.
Book Here
Fortunately despite this backdrop the story of the Von Trapp Family is a much more compelling and engaging one performed by a talented cast, led by Iona Cameron as a bubbly and energetic Maria and Thom Stafford as a quietly confident Captain Von Trapp. There is something special about the relationship they have on stage that seems to spark during the 'Something Good' number that brought a tear to my (one of happiness I might add) and following on from a few more tears when Captain Von Trapp suddenly realises he no longer knows his children, that moment always tugs at the heartstrings, it certainly did during this performance.
Talking of children, if you're an adult on stage you should never act with children (or animals) so the saying goes but, it doesn't stop any of this cast, neither does it stop the children from stealing virtually every scene with a display of coordinated stagecraft, vocals and frankly cuteness, highlighted by Imogen Turner's uber cute performance as Gretl, her siblings being Jude Maskell (Friedrich), Ben Lee (Kurt), Antonia Scott (Marta), Lilia Jervis (Louisa) and Isabel Whichello (Brigitta).
No longer seeing herself as a child (at least to begin with) Amelia Bickerton is a suitable mix of confidence and fragility as Liesl Von Trapp with a nicely melodic voice and opposite Louis Delaney as Rolf Gruber they play out the challenges of teen relationships in a changing world in a highly effective and thought provoking way.
Probably a much under-rated character is that of Max Detweiler, there is so much an actor can do with this part, who is fundamentally looking after himself and taking advantage of everything he can but, does so in an entertaining and endearing way, Andy Alton milks every drop of value from the role alongside Charlotte Boulton as Elsa Schraeder, both with dynamic stage presence and belting out two songs 'How Can Love Survive ?' and 'No Way To Stop It' (both strangely absent from the 1965 Movie) to great acclaim from the audience.
Probably the voice of the night has to be Fiona Krober's stunningly operatic Mother Abbess mixing nicely with those of Rachel Perks (Sister Bertha), Chloe Rawson (Sister Sophia) and Andrey Martin (Sister Margaretta) for the much loved number 'Maria'.
Credit to Kirsteen Stafford (Director), Paula Whitehouse (Musical Director) and Suzanne Ballard-Yates (Choreographer) for creating a professional and entertaining production, always a difficult task for the most well known of musicals like this one.
Performances run until Sunday 20th October 2019, so get your tickets while you can and 'have confidence' you'll be thoroughly entertained.
Book Here
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