Having followed Danielle Hope on the BBC’s Over the Rainbow and then to the West End, I was excited at the prospect of seeing her sing live again in The Sound of Music at Liverpool’s Empire Theatre.
This tour is a new production of the classic stage musical coincides with the 50th anniversary of the film version - one of the best-loved and most successful films in musical history.
Based on Baroness Maria von Trapp’s 1949 autobiography, this new staging of 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 the Second World War.
Sporting the obligatory blonde crop/bob, Danielle Hope, as Maria, has clearly benefited from five years in the industry since winning the hearts of the nation, and Andrew Lloyd Webber, and becoming Dorothy in the Wizard of Oz in 2010.
Her voice was rich and strong and she brought an enthusiasm to the stage that was infectious to both her co-stars and the audience.
Featuring some of the most loved musical numbers such as Edelweiss, My Favourite Things, Do-Re-Mi, So Long, Farewell and of course, The Sound of Music, the performance was slick and enhanced by the live orchestra, lead by musical director David Steadman.
The Von Trapp children - Friedrich ( Harvey Mills), Louisa (Jaynie Awcock), Kurt (Sam Hichman), Brigitta (Lucy Grant), Marta (Jessie Popiewicz-Smith) and little Gretl (Amélie Rose Dekker) - gave sterling performances lead by the promising Grace Chapman (Liesl) who could easily take the role of Maria in future productions.
A special mention to Jan Hartley, as Mother Abbess, who gave an amazing and inspirational rendition of Climb Ev’ry Mountain at the end of Act I.
A fantastic show, I enjoyed it more than the original film.
The Sound of Music is on until September 19, at the Liverpool Empire.
