However, before the matinee performance I woke up full of skeptism. Why had I thought spending my Saturday afternoon seeing some kids musical was such a great idea?
Once in the dreaded theatre we sat down and I tried my best not to be too Scrooge-like about the whole blessed event.
The first scene saw stage filled with nuns holding fake candles. They walked around the stage and through the audience while singing shrilly.
I was already planning my early exit. The Sound of Music? More like the sound of total garbage.
However. Yes, there is a huge however to come.
As I resigned to the fate of my Saturday afternoon, the conductor caught my eye.
From this moment onwards things started to perk up. No not because he was fit, but because he was a delight to watch.
Watching the head of an orchestra elegantly and powerfully conduct its musicians can be likened to watching a graceful solo performance at the ballet.
Actually pretty good...
After the singing nuns thankfully made an exit, the story started to unfold.
My Londonised cynicism that I have grown to love (or hate?) soon thawed as I became reacquainted with my favourite childhood tale.
The stage settings and backdrops of the Austrian mountains were both realistic and beautiful.
The acting and singing were brilliant and it was easy to forget that I was only sat in the back row of a theatre in London, and not actually with the von Trapp family in Austria.
Please see the video below for the film-version Maria roaming the Austrian hills, and of course singing 'The hills are alive with the sound of music'.
Synopsis
Incase you had a deprived childhood and have not seen the film of The Sound of Music, let me quickly relay the plot synopsis to you.
The Sound of Music is set in Austria 1938, during the rise of the Nazi regime.
A young Austrian nun, Maria, is sent from her abbey to govern seven children from a very wealthy household nearby.
Unlike their previous governesses, the children warm to Maria. The wife of Captain von Trapp died many years ago, and since then he has not allowed any joy or music into the household.
However, Maria overwhelms him with her passion for music and his heart warms; the children are constantly singing and happy under Maria's supervision.
Captain von Trapp is a true Austrian and refuses to confrom to the Nazis' regimes. This means that the family must flee from their native country if they are to escape Nazi punishment for remaining loyal to their nationality.
Call me sentimental but...
Maria and the von Trapp family pass their time by playing, singing and simply being with each other.
In a society where many thrive on status, money and technology, it was refreshing to see the often forgotten themes of love, family and yes, music, take centre-stage during the musical.
Maria is a typical example of the 1930's woman. She can sing beautifully, can make her own clothes and has strong family values.
This may sound anti-feminist but I wouldn't mind knowing how to make my own clothes or sing a song without breaking the eardrums of those around me!
Unfortunately, I am not sure how easy it would be these days to find someone like Captain von Trapp and to live in the hills of Austria with seven children just singing the days away. In fact, I'm not sure how easy it would hvae been during Maria's zeitgeist either.
Thoughts on The Sound of Music
The story held everything you would look for... Drama, excitement, politics, history, a love story and childish memories and jokes.
The song lyrics often reflect Maria's life. The governess starts off in a nunnery primarily because she wants to escape from her past life.
In becoming a nun, you automatically are part of something, even if it just a bunch of nuns. You are taken care of and in the safe knowledge that you are doing good.
When Maria finds herself in a romantic predicament with Capitain von Trapp, she escapes again to the Abbey. This time though, the Mother Abbess tells her to reutrn to the von Trapps.
Maria must face her fears and find her own path to climb. Yes, you guessed it; she must 'Climb Every Mountain' until she finds her dream! Please see my next blog for the verse and film clip of this song.
Worth seeing?
The von Trapp children in the musical were all fantastic ators and sang with passion and depth.
The Saturday afternoon audience were a young bunch, and everyone seemed in a jolly mood after the play.
If you need a shot of happiness and music in your life, go and see The Sound of Music!
The musical has had reviews, with the general consensus being that it is a musical that can bring a lot of joy to the audience.
Charles Spencer from The Daily Telegraph reviewed the musical as:
"A show that restores one's faith in human nature. I left with a sprint in my step and a smile on my face... Suddenly the world seemed a brighter face."
My sentiments exactly Charles.
Rating: 10/10
* If you need a quick shot of happiness and don't have time to see the musical, here are two short and sweet film clips of the von Trapp children singing:
.jpg)
No comments:
Post a Comment