Fred Latty heads to the Assembly Hall Theatre to experience the beloved musical on stage
Let’s set the record straight, as I have a confession to make – despite being a self-confessed film buff and avid cinemagoer, I’ve never seen The Sound of Music. There, I said it. It’s one of my many movie sins, and one that remains, to this day, on my silver-screen bucket list. But now, I can say I’ve done one better by experiencing the real thing, live on stage.
The moment I enter the Assembly Hall Theatre in Tunbridge Wells, the love of the iconic musical is palpable. Fans hum the tunes as they wait eagerly to collect their tickets from the box office; smatterings of conversation echo about the first time they heard Julie Andrews belt out their favourite number; and inevitable comparisons are excitedly drawn between stage and screen.
For those unfamiliar with the story, The Sound of Music follows Maria, a free-spirited young woman studying to become a nun in Salzburg in 1938. When her youthful enthusiasm and lack of discipline causes concern among her fellow nuns, Maria is sent to the villa of navy officer Georg Von Trapp, where she becomes governess of his seven children, bringing a lust for life and music into the home.
As the lights go down, the music rises to a truly spectacular set – a breath-taking visual that never ceases to amaze throughout the entire production. From the hallowed stone and stained glass of Nonnberg Abbey, to the opulent interiors of the Von Trapp family home, no expense has been spared on the lavish staging, as each scene blends seamlessly from one to the next.
The Voice star Lucy O’Byrne captivates as Maria, embodying her care-free zeal with plenty of energy, fun and grace, while TV and stage favourite Neil McDermott brings a stoic believability to the role of Von Trapp. The entire supporting cast, meanwhile, bounce equally well off one another, their skilled dance routines second only to their pitch-perfect singing voices.
Speaking of which, the unforgettable songs are of course not to be missed. Whether it’s such famous favourites as the eponymous title track, or equally memorable hits like My Favourite Things, Do-Re-Mi and So Long Farewell, the Assembly Hall’s space is perfect for the soaring notes of some of the film and stage worlds’ most beloved ballads.
A feast for the senses, this is a colourful, dazzling and visually impressive adaptation of the Rodgers & Hammerstein hit. Whether you’re young, old or young at heart, it won’t fail to enthral even the most avid of musical naysayers – and if, like me, you’re a novice to the experience, you’re in for a real treat of song, dance and whimsical escapism that will leave you with a beaming smile on your face.
The Sound of Music is playing now and runs until Saturday March 3 at the Assembly Hall Theatre. To find out more and book tickets, head to www.assemblyhalltheatre.co.uk
