The Sound of Music

Presented by: Redcliff’s Musical Society Inc.

Venue: Mildura Arts Centre, Mildura

Reviewer: Wayne Motton

Date Reviewed: Saturday 10^th October 2009

I am always interested how different theatre companies tackle ‘The Sound of Music’!

Some just recreate the Film version scene by scene, character by character and song by song. Where as, some present the original stage version with no variance from the script and score originally performed on Broadway.

And occasionally, like with Redcliff’s Musical Society, you get a nice blend of both by taking the original stage version and adding just a few songs that were an improvement in the film version.

The resulting show directed by Glen Barrows is a fine show which was appreciated by everyone in the audience during the opening weekend of their two week-end run.

Megan Sullivan has put together a very tight Orchestra who played the Rodgers and Hammerstein score seemingly without effort, the introductions and starts of each song was precise and entrances ‘spot on’ each time the cast sang.

There are key roles in the S.O.M. that need ‘appropriate age actors’ for the show to take on the right feel and to get the right result, so, I was delighted to find this company still uses age as an important criteria when casting.

Maria, played by 18 year old Hannah Hornsby is, by the pre production articles, a relevant new comer to Musical Theatre, this however was certainly an advantage in this particular role as her well trained voice, enthusiasm and warmth had the audience with her from the start. She worked and sang well with other actors and really blossomed when she returned from her Honeymoon with a much more mature look Maria in the second act.

David Bean, A new comer to theatre in Mildura, but, well known in Melbourne and Alice Springs theatrical circles certainly gave us an original Style Captain Von Trapp. He was almost awkward with the children at the start with his whistle blowing and regimented child control, but soon gave us some lovely singing and some cleverly orchestrated   softening of the harsh outside. By the time the children sing for the Baroness he gave us a very loving emotional reunion with the children in the reprise of the ‘Sound of Music’.

The Nuns and Postulants lead by Dawn Frankel as Mother Abbess are the back-bone of the show as they set the scenes and establish vital parts of the show. Always a challenge for the four Sisters to establish their individual characters, but they did so very well.

Dawn Frankel’s ‘Climb Every Mountain’ was a great first act finale but it was a shame that the Nuns behind the scrim could not be heard in the final verse when they appeared.

The Children were very good, with simple direction and were choreographed well when required to be. Liesl (Fiona Franca) led them well by example and her 16 going on 17 with Rolf was a very well done scene with great talent and skill and enthusiasm.

Rolf, (Joseph Leslie) grew into his part as the show progressed and his last scene in the abbey was chilling and very well timed.

Congratulations to all the children, I heard every word spoken and loved every song you sang. (My spies tell me that the ‘Blonde’ Children’s group was equally as good as the group I saw.) Nice for them all to be in a show and still get to watch it as well!!

Uncle Max Detwiller was played by Kelly Morrison, who gave the audiences quite a few good laughs with good visual and comic timing. Loved his ‘escape’ after the concert!

Everyone else on stage did a great job and played their parts well! It was amazing to see the size of the full cast on stage in the nicely put together finale.

Costumes were accurate and nicely done, Sets were good and changes were quick and quiet. Some sound cues were missed and radio mics were left on, but overall the sound was good.

In conclusion; this is a very nice and well put together show by a long established theatre company in the north western tip of our state.  It gives show members and audiences good standard theatre and is an integral part of the music culture that has always been present in the Region. It’s on until October 17^th at the Mildura Arts Centre. Phone:50188330

Wayne Motton has been appearing in shows for over 40 years. He started his theatrical journey in the Scout Gang Shows at the Palais Theatre. His singing teacher was June Brunning and his favourite part to play is Mr Mushnik in Little shop of Horrors. He has appeared in 14 companies shows over that time and has held positions in several of them from the heights of Coffee boy to the lowly position of Vice -President.

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