Review: The Sound of Music ***

When a musical is revived and repackaged it usually becomes more exciting and vibrant. Yet despite brilliantly staging and choreography, lavish sets and costumes and an iconic musical score, The Sound of Music fails to ignite that spark of freshness and modernity we have come to expect from classic musical revivals.

Set in Austria in the days before the Second World War, the story evolves around the Von Trapp family and a new governess from a convent, who overturns the austere family regime with her mischievous love of music.

As the formidable head of the household, Captain Von Trapp, Jason Donovan fails to get the right balance. He tends to be fearsome rather than displaying an arrogance and love of regimentation, of a man who has spent most of his life in the navy. Whilst in the more intimate scenes with the Baroness and Maria there is very little European charm and charisma that one would expect in this role.

Verity Rushworth has the difficult task of playing Maria, who everyone associates with Julie Andrews. At times she seems to struggle with the demanding vocal score and one cannot help feeling that occasionally she lapses into Verity-playing-Julie-playing-Maria mode instead of giving her own interpretation of the role, which this young actress is more than capable of doing.

With little visible chemistry between the couple, it is left to the rest of the talented cast to pull the production into a believable piece of theatre. Marilyn Hill Smith is outstanding as the stern but understanding Mother Abbess singing Climb Every Mountain with such passion and feeling it brought tears to the eyes.

Jacinta Mulcahy and Martin Callaghan, as Baroness Schraeder and Max Detweiller, both give believable performances and inject some life into the production when it most needs it.

As Liesl and Franz, Claire Fishenden and Tony Kemp are like a breath of fresh air their 16 going on 17 was one of the best I have seen.

Completing the cast are a well-drilled team of talented youngsters and a hardworking and versatile ensemble.

To June 25.