Review Roundup: THE SOUND OF MUSIC at Regent's Park Open Air Theatre
By: Christina Mancuso Aug. 06, 2013
THE SOUND OF MUSIC opened at the Regent's Park Open Air Theatre on 25 July and runs through 7 September 2013.
Directed by Rachel Kavanaugh, the classic Rodgers & Hammerstein musical will conclude the 2013 Open Air Theatre season.
Laurence Olivier Award nominees Charlotte Wakefield(Maria Rainer) and Michael Xavier (Captain Von Trapp) will lead the cast of The Sound of Music alongsideKimberly Blake, Faye Brookes (Liesl) Helen Colby,Samuel Edwards, Tim Frances, Victoria Hinde, Helen Hobson (Mother Abbess), Christopher Hunt, Caroline Keiff (Elsa Schraeder), Michael Matus, Harry Morrison, Gemma Page, Laura Pick, Stuart Matthew Price, Anna Simmons, Chloe Taylor, Joshua Tonks (Rolf), and Helen Walsh.
Let's see what the critics had to say:
BroadwayWorld's Carrie Dunn writes: Maria is played by Charlotte Wakefield, in a role that's somewhat of a departure from her previous work. She's a believable and likeable troublesome novice nun, and copes with the rigours of the soprano vocal score largely well, with a few modern musical theatre flourishes that might not be to everyone's taste; however, she still sounds (and looks) very young, particularly with a Liesl (Faye Brookes) who appears a few years older than 16 going on 17.
Charles Spencer of the Telegraph writes: This new production in the idyllic surroundings of Regent's Park is the finest I have ever seen. Even on a cold damp night it generates great waves of warmth, and the sylvan setting, with Maria running over the greensward, trilling merrily, suits it perfectly.
The Independent writes: The glades are alive with the sound of music and, wisely eschewing any attempts at gimmicky reworking, Rachel Kavanaugh's revival offers an admirably warm, straightforward and sincerely felt account of its (at times glutinously) sentimental story of nuns and Nazis and a young postulant who brings singing and love back to the motherless, defensively regimented of a widowed naval Captain.
Henry Hitchings of The Evening Standard says: There are a few camp moments, some cloying ones and an occasional note of competent blandness, but there are also many pleasures. Peter McKintosh's romantic set and costumes are highly effective, and Alistair David's choreography is sharp. Helen Hobson, as the Mother Abbess, radiates a surprising warmth and sings Climb Ev'ry Mountain stirringly. Caroline Keiff makes a strong impression as the Captain's joyless love interest Elsa Schraeder, and Michael Matus lends a welcome comedy to the role of pushy music promoter Max Detweiler. Of course The Sound of Music is an acquired taste, no more likely to inspire universal delight than Maria's "favourite things" - including such dubious treats as doorbells and schnitzel with noodles. But its sugar-coated charms are successfully realised here. With its perennial cult status and panoply of memorable songs, it looks a sure-fire hit.
Alexandra Coghlan of the artsdesk.com writes: Director Rachel Kavanaugh has no agenda to push, no revisionist opinion to offer here, contenting herself with crafting an affectionate and sincere revival. With the help of Peter McKintosh's elegant set we move fluidly from cloister to ballroom, with the theatre's grassy wings and mountainous raked seating also adding to the performing space. Costumes are a tasteful riot of sailor-suits and lederhosen, pastel prettiness set evocatively against the stern black and red of the Nazi flags.
Philippa Stubbs of Backstagepass.biz writes: Musical heroine Maria Rainer (Charlotte Wakefield) was played with passion and her sense of ambition, imagination and adventure comes through wonderfully. Too many a time Maria's songs are sung straight from the score but Charlotte added realism and fun! Her entrance singing 'The Hill's Are Alive' was just wonderful and she had a fantastic rapport with her co-performers, whatever their age.
Michael Billington of Guardian writes: Is it possible for a musical's numbers to be too familiar? At the preview I attended of Rodgers and Hammerstein's popular classic, several spectators around me treated the songs as an excuse for a spot of karaoke. But this does a disservice to a tougher-than-it-looks musical that is as much about resistance to Nazi tyranny as it is about a pesky postulant's love for a naval captain.
Louise Gooding of Whatsonstage writes: This is The Sound of Music for veterans and novices alike. The high quality of the whole production guarantees it will definitely be up there with "raindrops on roses and whiskers on kittens" as one of your favourite things in the capital this summer.
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