JADAR

★★★★☆

Based on the 1965 movie, which in turn was based on the real-life story told by Maria in her book The Story of the Von Trapp Family Singers (1949), the story follows prospective nun, singer and nature lover Maria as she becomes a governess to the seven von Trapp children. Their father, Captain Georg von Trapp, was a decorated war veteran and often left the children with governesses which they scared away to propel his return home. Maria spends her time undoing the militaristic routines of the household and teaching them about music, fun and love. 

The musical and film adaptations of the story take many liberties on the original tale, including making Georg initially cruel and Maria a carefree motherly figure, depicting the von Trapp’s music as trivial and fun songs, and dramatizing their “escape”, when, in actual fact, they left Austria publicly by train. 

Producing the show is the Bikenhead Operatic Society Trust (BOST), an award-winning musical theatre company in Wirral, who also performed ‘Chitty Chitty Bang Bang’ in 2023, with several of the actors returning from that production in this one! 

This showing plays with the structure of the original slightly, using ‘Favourite Things’ in the abbey to show the bond between Maria and Mother Abbess (Gina Phillips), and ‘Lonely Goatherd’ in place of ‘Favourite Things’ during the bedtime thunderstorm.

While I heard a few confused murmurs on the topic, the change didn’t affect the musical’s flow in any sense and actually made for a cute moment where the kids march across Maria’s bed, sing their respective parts, and to end the segment, little Gretl and her sisters try singing the song while venturing across the dark thundery corridors to get to bed.

I also believe that cutting out the goatherd puppet show was an effective way of speeding up the segment, as focusing too heavily on the family show would have taken away from the drama and made for a difficult set design moment. 

My only gripe with editing this bit was the loss of the Captain’s first cover of ‘Edelweiss’. While Georg still maintains his hatred for music since the death of his wife, Edelweiss is one of the songs that cements his acceptance and happiness since Maria’s arrival. Instead, the removal of this and him joining in to sing ‘The Sound of Music’ made for a touching yet quick change in his perspective.

Despite this, Tony Prince’s baritone vocals were simply breath-taking! I was left close to tears in his rendition of ‘Edelweiss’, an enchanting acoustic song which symbolises his and Austria’s resilience against Nazi occupation, even as he is surrounded by those crimson Swastika flags and armed guards at the festival. 

Additionally, Jennifer Swanepoel was a phenomenal Maria, channelling Julie Andrews with her elegant pronunciation, yet bringing her own flare and beauty to every song and movement. Truly a perfect casting. Alongside her, the children were so filled with energy and created some stunning harmonies. Their mischievous side and affection for Maria was perfectly conveyed by an endearing cast of child actors, after all the von Trapp children are the heart of the show.

Projections at times felt a little cartoony (especially when they moved to change scenery); they worked best when paired with set pieces like the stairs of the von Trapp house, or filled with a lively ensemble like the children or party-goers in their flare-filled and exhilarating dance routines.

Aside from a few mic cut outs or stumbled lines, the show went off without a hitch and I couldn’t have had more fun… a feeling reciprocated by the loudest audience applause between every number and the biggest stage door congregation I’ve seen to date!

My only confusion lies in the decision for Rolf to let the family go, a moment which in the original movie cemented this sense of national distrust and entrapment – even amongst lovers Liesl (Hannah Bailey) and Rolf (Joshua Griggs) – was changed, making for a quicker and slightly less intense ending.

However, it did bring about an efficient transition into the phenomenally uplifting ending as the family stand upon the mountains, sunlight beckoning them as the nuns below sing a goosebump-raising reprisal of ‘Climb Ev’ry Mountain’.

While it’s a difficult story that does at times trivialise aspects of the real family’s life and simplify moments of Nazi occupation of Austria, its sentimental focus on family above all else is one of the things I will always love about The Sound of Music. Generations have grown up watching the nine-strong family escape into the Swiss mountains to find a better life and escape conflict… a story that’s just as impactful and important today as ever. 

With a talented cast, phenomenal singing and dancing routines, an endearing message and a sprinkling of spritely nostalgic songs, The Sound of Music is one unforgettable and phenomenal show, despite any of its alterations.

The Sound of Music runs at Liverpool Empire until May 11.

Photo: BOST Musicals