The Sound Of Music arrives to Manchester
The Sound of Music is one of the musicals that everybody knows about. Most of us watched the film. But how many saw the production of this legendary family show on stage?
The Sound of Music tells the true story of the world-famous singing family, from their romantic beginnings and search for happiness, to their thrilling escape to freedom as their beloved Austria becomes part of the Third Reich at the start of WWII. The iconic score features some of the most memorable songs ever performed on stage, including ‘Edelweiss’, ‘My Favorite Things’, ‘Do-Re-Mi’, ‘Climb Ev’ry Mountain’, ‘So Long, Farewell’ and of course, the title song, ‘The Sound of Music’.
I first watched the musical with my nanny, who just couldn’t stop herself from singing together with Julie Andrews. I watched it with my mum, knowing each bit of the music and plot by heart, but still glued to the screen – both of us. I watched it recently with my son and daughter, who were too young to understand complex relationship between Austria and Germany at the start of WWII, but more than happy to waltz around the room to The Sound of Music, joyfully crashing into the furniture on their way. I saw it so many times… and I’ve never seen it on stage. This spring it arrives to Manchester, Palace Theatre.
In 1959 the story of the Trapp Family Singers and Baroness Maria von Trapp’s 1949 autobiography inspired Richard Rodgers, Oscar Hammerstein II, Howard Lindsay and Russel Crouse to create a Broadway musical. In 1965 a musical drama film was produced and directed by Robert Wise, starring Julie Andrews and Christopher Plummer.
Bill Kenwright’s five star production of The Sound of Music, that returns to Manchester 13-17 March 2018, is another wonderfully lavish staging of one of the greatest family musicals of all time. This time the stars are Lucy O’Byrne, who became a household name when she was the runner up of BBC One’s The Voice in 2015 and being hailed as “quite possibly the best Maria since Julie Andrews herself” (The Scotsman); and as Captain Von Trapp, Neil McDermott, 
who is probably known to our readers as Ryan Molloy in EastEnders, and from other TV appearances, but also is a regular on the stage, with starring roles in the West End. Directed by Martin Connor, choreographed by Olivier Award winner Bill Deamer, musical direction by David Steadman, this critically-acclaimed staging of the heart-warming musical is the perfect family show.
My family and I are looking forward to an unforgettable experience.
Tuesday 13th – Saturday 17th March 2018.
For more info check: 0844 871 3019 or www.atgtickets.com
