On 29th June, in the Ludlow Assembly Rooms Auditorium, I witnessed Ludwig Theatre Arts Adult and Youth Company come together to stage the much loved musical classic “The Sound of Music”.
Based on Maria Augusta Trapp’s memoir “The Story of the Trapp Family Singers”, the musical follows an ebullient postulate. Maria, who serves as governess to the seven children of the imperious Captain von Trapp, brings music and joy to the household. But as Nazism takes over Austria, Maria and the entire von Trapp family must make a moral decision.
Having watched the movie version, starring Julie Andrews, I believed I knew all the songs and how the story went. It was a disorientating, but welcome, to experience a completely different treatment! I could enjoy the musical with the blessing of not knowing what to expect. Just like those in the audience who didn't know the story!
The rearrangement of the songs & the situations in which they are sung was refreshing. The addition of unfamiliar songs, such as “How can love survive?” and “ No Way to Stop It”, added depth to those characters who were paid little attention to in the film adaptation, Max and Elsa. The singing was impressive as was the acting and professionalism of the stage crew, all telling evidence of the tremendous amount of work and attention the company has put into it to the deliver an outstanding performance.
The buzzing atmosphere and love conveyed by the audience for the cast was also reflective of this. It was a spectacular evening. Eminently deserving of the extraordinarily long standing ovation given by the audience. Closing the show was not without a spontaneous encore, in which the whole cast joined in.
Smiling, shattered and in need of a well deserved rest they were still able to finish on a high note, quite literally, with the timeless classic “Do Rei Me”.
The audience was alive with… the sound of music!
o0o
Currently Ludwig Theatre Arts offers weekly Saturday classes for 4 -17 year olds in Musical Theatre, Acting, Dance and Vocals. Irish Dancing classes in Herefordshire and they also have a range of Broadway Junior performance opportunities.
If you want to get involved in next year's production or are interested in any of their classes visit their website for more information: https://www.ludwigtheatrearts.com/
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