The Sound of Music - Milton Keynes Theatre
26th May - 6th June 2015

I can't remember how many times I have sat with my family (especially at Christmas) watching this wonderful musical and loved every minute of it time and time again...

Celebrating the film's 50th anniversary this year, I couldn't wait to see The Sound of Music on stage at Milton Keynes Theatre.

Directed by Martin Connor, this is a lavish production that has had no corners cut in taking it on tour.  You get all of the splendour, staging and magic.

The Sound of Music is based on the true story of the Von Trapp Family's flight across the mountains to escape the clutches of The Third Reich.

After capturing the hearts of the country and winning the BBC's smash hit show Over The Rainbow, Danielle Hope takes the role of Maria - she brings a new lease of life to the role and gives it a vulnerable likeability which is essential to making her Maria the warm, loving and caring centre of the story.

Danielle is note perfect, her diction is incredible and her interaction with the Von Trapp children is just delightful...

Now to the children - they are totally fabulous!  You can't help fall in love with them all - their charm issues from the stage, their collective voices are incredible.  Together they carry the most iconic songs that we all know and love, Do-Re-Mi, The Lonely Goatherd and of course, So Long - Farewell.  Just brilliant!

Steven Houghton takes on the role of the stern Captain Von Trapp - the handsome, lonely disciplinarian who runs his household like a military vessel.  He has his exterior broken down by the kindness and warmth of Maria.  Houghton makes a fabulous Captain, the two leads have a real connection and helps take the love story to a more believable place.

I loved watching them meet (as did my fellow theatre goers) awkwardly dancing the traditional Lander together for the first time - it was magical.

The story captures the political issues of the era so well - depicting the struggle and the passionate love of your country in the face of the onslaught of a dictatorship...Edelweiss brings tears to my eyes. 

The roles of the Baroness Schraeder (Sarah Soetaert) and Max Detweiler (Howard Samuels) were cast superbly - the two give the roles that air of inevitability of conformism.  Their songs together that do not feature in the original film (and so are unfamiliar), still received a fabulous response from the audience.

One last mention has to go to Jan Hartley as Mother Abbess. WOW! This has to be one of the best versions of Climb Every Mountain - it is uplifting, inspirational and very touching.

The Sound of Music is a musical for all ages - it is magical and something that generation after generation will fall in love with.

This is a production is not to be missed!

To book tickets call 0844 8717652 or go on line www.atgtickets.com/miltonkeynes

Enjoy!

Lily B x