The Sound of Music is a hugely popular musical based on the memoirs of Maria Von Trapp's; The Story of the Trapp Family Singers. When it was adapted for the big screen in 1965 starring Julie Andrews and Christopher Plummer, its popularity was boosted even further. The momentum has lasted over fifty years as we witnessed in Liverpool Empire Theatre last night.
Danielle Hope as Maria
The musical tells the story of Maria, an aspiring nun who struggles with the demands of her new role. Her mother superior sends her to be a governess at the von Trapp family home for a few months in order to help her decide if she's ready for the commitment. While there, she meets and falls in love with Captain von Trapp; a man still grieving over the loss of his wife. He channels his pain into a strict family regime, which Maria feels she must change for the sake of his children's happiness and to establish a bond with their father before it's too late. When Maria arrives, she manages to penetrate his icy exterior and encourages him to enjoy more time with his children, particularly through the medium of music.
Danielle Hope had all the innocent optimism that we remember of Maria in the movie but we also see her gain confidence as she stands up to the Captain's harsh ways by making the children's needs and desires known on their behalf. Thus pulling the family back together.
Steven Houghton was very convincing as the stubborn and habitual von Trapp, who succumbs to the unconventional ideas of Maria.
The children were a delight to watch as they gradually revealed new aspects of their personalities. They provided a lot of the humorous one liners and connected well with Hope on stage as if they were her own.
Jan Harley as Mother Abbess was the highlight for me. Her rendition of 'Climb Every Mountain' was the perfect gateway into the second act and the ideal way end the performance. As it is one of my favourite scenes in the film, I was hoping she would do it justice and her highest note gave me goosebumps- I think that is testament enough.
There were also two new songs to fans of the film; 'No Way To Stop It' performed by Elsa, Max and Captain von Trapp and 'How Can Love Survive?' by Max and Elsa. The unfamiliar additions provided something fresh and interesting to prevent it from being an exact copy of the film and moved the story along nicely.
The musical stays true to the movie, however some of the songs have been moved around to keep you on your toes. 'The Lonely Goatherd' features in the unforgettable thunder and lightening scene in place of 'My Favourite Things' which is sang by Maria and Mother Abbess instead.
What I most liked about the production was that it focused heavily on the family and their relationships with one another rather than too much on the backdrop of the Nazi Austrian take over. Although this is pivotal to the story, I enjoyed the shift in the limelight which made it more family friendly and uplifting.
The Sound of Music is a joyful and positive production with songs that will keep you singing in your car ride home. There are not many musicals I have been to where I have witnessed people crying and hugging at the end- I think that says it all.
Tagged in Liverpool Empire Theatre