This production of "The Sound of Music" is not the exact copy of the familiar movie version of "The Sound of Music"starring Julie Andrews and Christopher Plummer, as it is based more on the Broadway stage play. (The "The Sound of Music" movie celebrated its 50th Anniversary last year.)
Apart form the well known songs that everyone knows, such Do-Re-Me, Sixteen Going on Seventeen, My Favourite Things, Climb Ev'ry Mountain, Edelweiss and The Sound of Music, there are some additional songs not found in the movie version of "The Sound of Music".
One only has to listen to the comments by the the theatre goers at interval and after the show to understand what a great production of "The Sound of Music" this is. Even those who were a bit reluctant about attending and were dragged along, or were perhaps a bit skeptical about how good a local production can be, went away raving about how good it was.
Everyone involved in "The Sound of Music" are local Upper Hunter people who have freely given their time and enthusiasm from the very first rehearsal way back in March. They all volunteer their talents and skills for the enjoyment of the viewing audience. Congratulations to all those on the stage, providing the music, and working tirelessly behind the scenes.
There are many highlights of "The Sound of Music" including the puppet show, the wedding scene, and the party scene.
The show would not have been possible without the two special people who made it all possible - the Director Rachel-Ann Wilcher and the Producer Virginia Greentree. They have put their special touches to this production of "The Sound of Music" to make it the success that it is.
The principal two actors are superb. Cecilia Connell plays Maria. Her singing and acting talents are so good that she could easily be Maria in any national professional production of "The Sound of Music". She plays the part with warmth , sensitivity and passion. Nate Adamthwaite plays Captain Georg von Trapp. His singing voice is so polished that he could be the star of any show requiring a strong voice.
"The Sound of Music" would not be a show without the seven von Trapp children. Jade Leeder, Alexander Bates, Holly McDonald, Brady Cavanagh, Ashleigh Blackburn, Georgia Dulley and Ayla Barby play their parts of the children with all the discipline and fun required of being in the von Trapp Family. The song numbers that the children sing are a highlight of the show.
The Nuns provide a balance of reverence and cheekiness to the show. Susan Davis, the Mother Abbess, sings a very moving "Climb Ev'ry Mountain" with her powerful voice. The harmonies of the Nuns singing, especially in the unaccompanied songs are a delight to hear.
Andrew Wu, who plays Max Detweiler, and Rayna Russo, who plays Baroness Elsa Schraeder, both add their own style to these two important roles. They add a sense of humour to "The Sound of Music" with their quirky one liners and sense of timing.
Two performers who have been in many other MATS production are Adrienne Casey, who plays the Housekeeper, and Rob Tesoriero, who plays the Butler. These are small but important roles that help create the von Trapp Mansion home environment.
Other important people are Matt Bellamy, who plays Rolf, Alan Boyle, who plays Admiral von Schreiber and Stephen Ginn, who plays Herr Zeller.
A musical such as "The Sound of Music" would not be possible without music. This is provided by the very talented members of the Muswellbrook Shire Concert Band under the baton of Janelle French. This band is celebrating its 50th anniversary this year. The percussion, strings, keyboard, woodwind and brass, sections are blended together beautifully so that none over-dominate the others. This band is so good that they could easily provide the music for any professional production of "The Sound of Music" in any of the big theatres in Sydney or Melbourne.
The costumes of the cast of "The Sound of Music" are sensational. The children's "uniforms", curtain play clothes and party clothes all looked wonderful. The Nuns looked liked Nuns in their habits, and Maria, Captain von Trapp and Baroness Elsa looked the part in their various costumes. The party scene looked glamorous with the stylish ballgowns. If they could be entered in the Helpmann Awards they would easily win the Best Costume award. This is a credit to Larni Christie, the Costume Director, Julie Delforce and the team of costume assistants.
A special mention must be made of the technical crew of "The Sound of Music". The sound and lighting by Shane Delforce and Stu Ahearn and teams were wonderful. It was a huge job, as everything had to be created from scratch. One only had to look up at the ceiling of the hall to see the complexity of the lighting and sound system, not to mention all the sound and lighting control gear at the back of the hall. A credit to all those involved.
Considering the restraints of venue, the set crew did a wonderful job to create the illusion of the Swiss Alps, Abbey, von Trapp mansion and concert hall.
The only thing that held back this production of "The Sound of Music" was the lack of a proper theatre to present it in. A huge amount of work had to be done just to put on the show, such as building a stage on the hall floor and building all the lighting rigs. With no dressing rooms next to the stage, the cast had to dress in nearby buildings, which meant dashing through the cold and rain to get to the stage.
Now is the time for all to push forward the idea of a dedicated Performing Arts Centre to be built in the Upper Hunter. A 500 seat theatre with stage and wings, foyers, dressing rooms, sound and lighting boxes would enable more local and visiting productions to be staged to foster the performing arts in the Upper Hunter. There are several opportunities for a suitable site coming up in the near future which could be taken advantage of.
It could be linked to the newly established Tertiary Education Centre with the introduction of specialized lighting, sound, stage production courses, and to the Conservatorium of Music for music education.
With local council elections being held in the next few weeks, now is the perfect opportunity for all local voters to ask each candidate what their personal action plan is to establish a Performing Arts Centre in the Upper Hunter. A local council made up of councillors enthusiastic about its construction is essential for it to be built.
A dedicated Performing Arts Centre in the Upper Hunter will provide many more opportunities for people to hear and enjoy the sound of music (and drama, dance and comedy) in the Upper Hunter.
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