Such is my love for The Sound of Music that my cat is named Edelweiss. He’s small and white, clean and bright, and always happy to see me. The question was would I be happy to see The Sound of Music for the zillionth time? My resounding answer? Yes. However, this particular school production was quite different to what I imagined it would be, or had ever experienced.
On Monday night, the double doors of the Waikato Diocesan School for Girls chapel were thrown wide open for a Sound of Music singalong. The interior of the chapel had been reoriented and completely transformed with a massive white on white static set that ran the length of the room.
The slightly higher ticket price for this performance included a paper bag filled with props and a comprehensive participation guide. Many people dressed for the occasion and amongst the audience were nuns, partners in lederhosen and dirndls, brown paper packages tied up with string, and even a couple of “drops of golden sun”. After a brief introduction, we the audience, were let loose on the cast and orchestra aided by our props.
The cast could be forgiven for breaking the fourth wall. The audience was so compelled with egging them on that it looked likely to occur. Apart from a stifled giggle and many pairs of sparkly eyes, the cast held their composure while the audience was blew whistles, stamped thunderous feet, waved blue sashes, threw rose petals, and yodeled.
Boundless energy was delivered by those on stage and the audience responded with even more enthusiasm. The stage was filled with an abundance of Dio talent. Several boys had been brought in from local schools for some, but not all, of the key male roles. Comedic timing and tricky choreography could have tripped a few people up but the performance was faultless from the start.
Maria Colvin kept the talented orchestra moving at an appropriate tempo and she conducted from two separate rostrums. The cast’s multi-part harmony was sublime and the diction couldn’t be faulted. Proper vocal training was evident in many of the leads, and Mrs Colvin’s musical direction ensured that individual talents shone through.
Lee Armitage is a hidden gem who flies under the city’s theatrical radar. She is a skilled director who has once again delivered an extraordinary production. Using the school’s previous tartan as curtains and then children’s play clothes was an inspired choice, as was the decision to use the chapel rather than the hall. The acknowledgements within the programme indicated that it was a school-wide effort however Ms Armitage’s talent can’t be underestimated when considering her overall vision, excellent casting, eye for detail right down to the deft scene changes, and ensuring every character went on an emotional journey.
Aside from the median age of the cast there was nothing else to suggest it was a school production. All the performances were terrific and this version of The Sound of Music set a new benchmark for schools. Bravo Dio on your sold out season.
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