In a world that often feels beset by darkness, stories of resilience, love, and the triumph of the human spirit serve as vital beacons of hope. Pitlochry Festival theatre’s production of the beloved Rodgers and Hammerstein musical The Sound of Music offers just such a luminous example, reminding us that courage and compassion can see us through even the bleakest of times.
A Timeless Tale Resonates Anew
Based on the true story of the von Trapp family’s escape from Nazi-annexed Austria on the eve of World War II, The Sound of Music has endured as a beloved classic for over half a century. Its themes of standing up for one’s convictions, finding joy and purpose amid hardship, and the unbreakable bonds of family continue to strike a deep chord with audiences around the world.
As director Elizabeth Newman astutely recognizes, this musical’s potent blend of soaring melodies, rich emotion, and life-affirming messages feels especially relevant and necessary today. By presenting a tale of ordinary people choosing light over darkness, love over hate, and hope over despair, The Sound of Music invites us to find inspiration for our own challenging times.
Transcendent Performances Elevate Familiar Material
While The Sound of Music may be well-known to many, Pitlochry’s production breathes invigorating new life into this cherished work. Much of this is due to the stunning central performances of Kirsty Findlay as Maria and Ali Watt as Captain von Trapp.
Findlay imbues Maria with an irresistible zest for life, her soaring vocals matched by a nuanced portrayal of the character’s journey from youthful uncertainty to mature strength and conviction. Watt, meanwhile, brings dignified gravitas to the Captain, movingly conveying the widower’s gradual reawakening to joy and purpose through Maria’s influence.
Findlay’s Maria sparklingly combines a fresh and youthful delivery with a singing depth that suggest the inner strength she will uncover in the course of the action, as she transitions from postulant to governess, wife, stepmother and refugee.
Clare Brennan, The Observer
An Ensemble That Shines
Surrounding this central duo, an immensely talented ensemble cast brings vibrant life to the musical’s array of indelible characters. Of particular note are the young actors portraying the von Trapp children, each of whom makes a distinct impression while also blending beautifully as a believable, closely-knit family unit.
A unique component of this production is its use of actor-musicians, with cast members not only singing and dancing, but also providing instrumental accompaniment throughout. This inventive approach, guided by Richard Reeday’s clever arrangements, lends the show an intimate, almost homespun charm while still allowing the beloved Rodgers and Hammerstein score to soar.
A Stirring Tribute and Fond Farewell
The Sound of Music marks a bittersweet occasion for Pitlochry Festival theatre, as it is the final production under the helm of outgoing artistic director Elizabeth Newman. Newman’s sensitive, insightful direction here serves as a fitting valedictory showcase of her gifts for crafting entertaining yet resonant theatrical experiences.
Newman’s final production as artistic director of Pitlochry Festival theatre offers a fine example of her ability to deliver entertaining shows that develop encounters between then and now, here and there, us and them.
Clare Brennan, The Observer
As she prepares to assume leadership of Sheffield Theatres, Newman leaves behind an impressive legacy at Pitlochry. Her Sound of Music isn’t merely a nostalgic reprise of a beloved warhorse, but a pulsing, vital work of art that invites us to consider how we might each summon our own courage and grace in an often troubling world.
A Triumph of the Heart
By turns joyous, moving, and thought-provoking, Pitlochry Festival theatre’s The Sound of Music offers a soul-stirring affirmation of the enduring power of musical theatre to uplift, inspire, and make us see even the most familiar stories with fresh eyes. As we join Maria and the von Trapps on their journey from darkness into light, we cannot help but feel a rekindling of our own inner resilience and capacity for hope.
In a cultural moment too often marred by cynicism and despair, this Sound of Music arrives like a sunbeam piercing the clouds, inviting us to dream of a brighter tomorrow. As the hills come alive once more with the sound of music, so too may our spirits be renewed and our hearts emboldened, reminded that love and courage can indeed triumph over the greatest of odds.
