Director and Choreographer: Marilyn Brandwood-Spencer
Musical Director: Brian Lawson

This society has a very restrictive stage but still manages to come up with super productions, partially helped by one of the best scenic artists I have seen and a back stage crew which worked as a team with excellent results. In a show that requires many quick, efficient scene changes they were up to the job. This was a lovely production from the “Nuns’ Chorus” until the mountains were climbed. Like all shows it had its highs and lows but, as you would expect, the stars were the children and I name them – not necessarily in order. Liesl (Karen Lunt), Friedrich (Desmond O’Malley), Louisa (Hayley Davies), Kurt (Daniel Whitehead), Brigitta (Toni Alien), Marta (Nicola West) and, last but not least, I dare not forget an enchanting Gretl (Ria Wane).

There were some fine performances from the adults too. Carole Slater made a good job of Maria. This role is always difficult as Julie Andrews made the part her own, and one can’t help that comparison creeping in. But, in this case, Carole’s sincere playing of the part came through. Eddie Smith played Von Trapp, not quite as I would have hoped. The bearing of an ex-navel officer was not there. His costume did not help in that respect. Having said that, there were some nice moments in his performance with both Maria and the children .

The split personality of Sharon Morris was well done as she managed very well the dual roles of Frau Schmidt and Sister Margaretta. I should like to congratulate the Nuns’ Chorus as a whole as they sang extremely well.

For me two performances stood out. I must mention the superb acting we witnessed from Kathleen Watkins and her partner in crime, Philip May. They played Elsa and Max with aplomb. Their stage presence was a joy and shows just how much can be expressed with just one look.

In all an extremely enjoyable show my: congratulations to the company and my thanks to the society for its hospitality.

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