FROM the initial brilliant harmonies of the Preludium sung by the Nun’s Chorus to the final uplifting rendition of Climb Ev’ry Mountain by the Mother Abbess and the Nuns, this is a show that will fill you full of joy, such is the brilliance of the acting and singing by members of Yeadon Theatre Company.

Ilkley Gazette: The Sound of Music – Yeadon Theatre CompanyThe Sound of Music – Yeadon Theatre Company (Image: Photos by John Waite)

The stage version of The Sound of Music differs from the film in several respects and one of these is the addition of two extra songs in the stage version that were not used in the film and also the fact that two of songs in the film are used at different points in the story on stage compared with the film. One of these is “My favourite things” which on stage is sung very early in the first act by the Mother Abbess and Maria, whereas as everyone knows in the film it is sung by Maria and the children during the thunderstorm on the first night that she arrives as governess to the Von Trapp children. Instead on the stage she comforts them with the song “The Lonely Goatherd” for that particular scene. “I have confidence” is missing in the stage version and “How Can Love Survive” and “No Way To Stop It” are the two songs that have been added.

Ilkley Gazette: The Sound of Music – Yeadon Theatre Company The Sound of Music – Yeadon Theatre Company (Image: Photos by John Waite)

Maria is the lead character in The Sound of Music and in this production she is played to perfection by Lucy Boniface. Her acting and singing are superb throughout the show. She is well supported by Andre Stolarski as Captain Von Trapp. His acting is very good and he gradually overcame his first night nerves in his debut as a leading man and by the second act he was thoroughly immersed in the role. David Kirk as Max Detweiler and Georgia Dennis as Baroness Schraeder both gave excellent performances and their singing of the two new numbers showed their quality as long-standing actors.

Ilkley Gazette: The Sound of Music – Yeadon Theatre Company The Sound of Music – Yeadon Theatre Company (Image: Photos by John Waite)

Also outstanding were Niamh Murphy and Kylan Granger as Liesl and Rolf, particularly in their song “Sixteen Going on Seventeen”. The other major principal is the Mother Abbess and Joan Kay in this role was as good if not better than Eleanor Parker who played this role in the film, and that is saying something. Her rendition of “Climb Every Mountain” made the hair on the back of one’s neck stand on end! Also, I must praise the other six children who performed on the first night. These were Alex Hicks as Friederich, Rachel Foster as Louisa, Tobi Adams Mead as Kurt, Libby Falkingham as Brigitta, Ava Priestley as Marta and Amelia Massie as Gretl. They performed outstandingly both individually and collectively. They are classed as the Whiskers” team who alternate at performances with the “Kittens” team who I am assured are equally as good.

Ilkley Gazette: The Sound of Music – Yeadon Theatre Company The Sound of Music – Yeadon Theatre Company (Image: Photos by John Waite)

A final plaudit must go to the thirteen females in the Nun’s chorus. Their harmonies were absolutely superb in the Preludium, Morning Hymn, Gaudeamus Domino, Confitemini Domino and finally with the Mother Abbess in Climb Ev’ry Mountain.

Ilkley Gazette: The Sound of Music – Yeadon Theatre Company The Sound of Music – Yeadon Theatre Company (Image: Photos by John Waite)

The show was very well directed and choreographed by Anita Adams and the music under the direction of Adam Boniface could not be faulted. We could not see the fifteen-man orchestra as they were hidden away behind the back of the stage but they played superbly, never overpowering at all the soloists and chorus.

Ilkley Gazette: The Sound of Music – Yeadon Theatre Company The Sound of Music – Yeadon Theatre Company (Image: Photos by John Waite)

If you want an evening to take away your worries, get along to Yeadon Town Hall this Thursday, Friday or Saturday and enjoy one of the finest musicals in the form of The Sound of Music.