The Sound of Music – Leeds Grand Theatre

Book: Howard Lindsay and Russel Crouse

Music: Richard Rodgers

Lyrics: Oscar Hammerstein II

Director: Nikolai Foster

Out of the furnace of the summer heat and straight into the vividly recreated mountain landscape of Austria, this production of The Sound of Music is instantly refreshing. Michael Taylor’s stunning set, complete with a wooded glade, high pasture and what can easily be imagined to be a sparkling stream, sees Maria revelling barefoot within it as she brings it joyfully to life – the hills are most certainly alive with music.

Rodgers and Hammerstein’s most famous, best-loved musical, in this revival directed by Nikolai Foster that was first staged at Leicester’s Curve and now recreated by Opera North at Leeds Grand, is a wonderful watch. It is a darker production than we are used to – this time not shying away from the terrifying politics of that turbulent time – and perhaps all the more pertinent and relevant for it.

Probably a part of everyone’s seasonal or childhood viewing, the story is well known. A convent’s young postulant, Maria, struggles to fit in with the order’s strict routines and is offered a different path as a governess to seven recently bereaved children. They are being brought up by an emotionally (and physically) remote father, Captain Georg von Trapp. Maria’s arrival amongst them is a catalyst for very welcome changes to the household.

Katie Bird, as Maria, has a richly mellifluous tone which soars to the gods in her opening number but also has the sensitivity to duet with charmingly witty appeal with the Mother Abbess in My Favourite Things before then engaging with the children.

There are two teams of children alternating in this run – at this performance, team ‘Drop’ is responsible for totally captivating hearts. This is a superbly well-disciplined group of children, note perfect – once they’ve been taught to sing and not missing a step. Their arrival on stage brings a huge burst of joy and energy: the children catapult and bounce across the stage. They are uniformly enchanting and beguiling, displaying some brilliantly instinctive comic timing whilst simultaneously melting hearts. The Do-Re-Mi sequence is a fabulous first act highlight and where Ebony Mollina’s choreography has the children bounding gregariously and gleefully.

Eldest of the children, Liesl, and Rolf the telegram boy’s courtship duet is less innocent than in other productions.  Liesl is feisty and determined – far more the young woman than a child, and all the better for a modern audience.  April Perrott and Kamil Bien’s confident delivery of Sixteen Going on Seventeen is certainly a standout moment.

Captain von Trapp is played by Edward Bennett. His remoteness in the first instance is so pointed and negligent that it makes his loving awakening a joyful revelation. This is a very poignant performance – the heartache he has suffered over the loss of his first wife clearly etched on his being.

Amy Freston plays Baroness Elsa Shraeder and is the perfect foil for the Captain’s slow to heal heart. It is not difficult to see how she has bewitched him as she glides elegantly across the stage in her haute couture. When, however, she reveals her less than desirable political stance and is juxtaposed with the lively and impassioned charm of Katie Bird’s Maria, it is clear why he makes his choice.

Throughout the production are strong hints which foreshadow the dramatic end of the story – the children are dive bombers and echo gun shots during the thunder storm whilst the ball scene sees an awkward mix of opposing views. It is still shocking, however, when the mountain scene is masked by a huge red flag bearing swastikas and a threatening eagle for the final concert and the fear is real.

This is a production with intense emotions and Opera North’s fabulous chorus elevate the big numbers to a whole new sphere. Katherine Broderick’s Mother Abbess is phenomenal and her Climb Every Mountain has tears springing and smiles broadening.

Heart rending, charming and gloriously sung. Bravo!

Runs until 1st August