The Sound of Music (Stage Experience) - The Alexandra, Birmingham Review
Written by Charis for Theatre and Tonic.
Disclaimer: Gifted tickets in return for an honest review. All opinions are our own.
Performed by the Alexandra Stage Experience in their 19th year, these productions bring together performers aged 9 to 24 to put on a West End quality performance. This year they took on the almighty Rodgers and Hammerstein’s The Sound of Music. I had high hopes for the performance and the young talented cast alongside the musicians and crew surpassed these expectations. Working alongside the talented and longstanding director, Pollyann Tanner.
The show takes place in Austria in 1938, just before the country's invasion by Nazi Germany through the Anschluss. The breathtaking scenery immerses the audience in various settings, from a serene abbey with singing nuns to the iconic rolling hills and the elegant estate of Captain Von Trapp.
The historical context of the performance, set in the tense period leading up to World War II, is handled with maturity and sensitivity. Though Nazi flags and uniforms are present, they are incorporated in a way that does not evoke discomfort.
While Molly Hopkins is not the traditional choice for the role of Maria, she carries herself with a high level of finesse. She has outstanding chemistry with the rest of the cast, particularly the Von Trapp family members and her singing is flawless. Hopkins is immediately lovable, bringing innocence and kindness, yet also determination and a strong sense of will to her role, even standing up to the captain at their first meeting, regarding the children being allowed to sing.
Cree Henson portrays Captain Von Trapp with a powerful blend of emotional depth, perfectly capturing the inner turmoil of a man torn between love and duty. On the one hand, his family are all that matters, but on the other, he wants his children to be strong, proud, and far more adult than their years. He is also deeply divided by his feelings for Maria, whom he clearly desires, but feels he cannot act upon this through his engagement with another woman and their differing stations. Von-Trapp’s sense of duty is vital to his character; his love of Austria is what removes him so far from his children that he requires a governess, and it is his sense of honour and loyalty to Austria that will not allow him to bow to Germany following the Anschluss, eventually endangering his family. Henson’s portrayal has great depth to portray the complexity of Von-Trapp’s life, and his inner conflict.
The Von Trapp children are all perfectly cast for each of the roles. Bessy Hingley portrays the role of Liesl. 16 years old is an awkward age as it is a transitional age within a young girl’s life. This is shown through her interactions with Maria in particular. She has moments within the show that any woman or girl can relate to such as her first heartbreak. She also has a wonderful singing voice which can be heard even within the family numbers. Lilly Jones is adorable Gretl, her stage presence is outstanding.
Given the young age of the cast crew, all those involved will have a bright future in theatre and performing Arts. The whole performance is at the same high level of performances led by adults which is a real testament.
The Sound of Music can be seen at the Alexandra until 17th August.
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
