FANS of musical theatre in west Wales know it is a statement of fact that you can expect West End production values from Carmarthen and District Youth Opera.
And this year’s production of The Sound of Music continues a remarkable sequence of shows dating back to 1979 – nearly 50 years of helping young people develop their skills and interest in the performing arts.
The Sound of Music is always billed as a timeless classic – and that brings with it a unique set of challenges for any theatre group.
How, for example, do you stop people making constant reference points back to the classic film, starring Julie Andrews?
Production director Rhian Holdsworth, in her first adventure with Carmarthen and District Youth Opera, has managed the trick with the light touch of a first class magician.
An opening ‘prelude to the prelude’ played out like a silent movie. It felt like slipping into a warm and familiar pair of fur-lined slippers. From the first beat, the audience members knew they were in safe hands.
If anyone was asking ‘How do you solve a problem like Maria?’, then the answer was a simple, Celyn Mills!
A product of Ysgol y Strade in Llanelli, 19-year-old Celyn led the cast with a maturity beyond her years. She dazzled in every set-piece moment. Do-Re-Mi, My Favourite Things and The Lonely Goatherd were all magnificent showpieces for her vocal range.
The part of Captain Von Trapp is always a challenge – how do you display the navy commander’s military precision without appearing too stiff and rigid? Thankfully, Connor Horton, a 17-year-old pupil from Queen Elizabeth High in Carmarthen, was equal to the task and his warm and rich voice provided a lovely balance to the duets with Celyn.
Rebecca Lewis was a commanding presence as the Mother Abbess. The 21-year-old former Coleg Sir Gar student hit the peaks with Climb Ev’ry Mountain and she was ably supported by her colleagues in The Abbey – a wonderfully-expressive Cerys Thomas (Sister Berthe), Catrin Davies, as Sister Margaretta and Alys Mitchell, as Sister Sophia.
Ffion Moore was an elegant Elsa Shrader, while Jac Owens was a comical Max Detweiler. Emrys ab Iestyn had just the right dash of danger and menace for telegram boy Rolf Gruber.
In the spirit of providing opportunities for as many young people as possible, the roles of the Von Trapp children were ‘double cast’. Teams called Do-Re-Mi and Edelweiss will alternate in the productions.
Edelweiss were on duty for the opening night and hats off go to Emily Bevan, Harry Johns, Grace Rowlands, Tom Boucher, Hannah Tegg, Isla Mason and Lucy Davies for the energy and enthusiasm they brought to the production.
The Do-Re-Mi team will be equally as good, featuring Raya Wilkins, Micah Harvey, Belle Williams, Jaden Dobson, Efa James, Elsie Evans and Nancy Neil.
The philosophy at Carmarthen and District Youth Opera is that it is all a team effort, from the leading players and the ensemble, to the small army of backstage technicians who make the magic happen.
Particular praise must go to Rachel Saddler for her clever choreography and musical director Bridget Radford for leading the unseen heroes in the orchestra pit.
If you’re going along to the show, take this advice – park your memories of the film for a couple of hours, slide into the warm glow of a classic tale, prepare for some surprises . . . and take a hanky! Trust me, there will be tears at the end.
Remaining performances are –
Friday (February 20) at 7.30 pm – Team Do Re Mi
Saturday (February 21) at 2.30 pm – Team Edelweiss
Saturday (February 21) at 7.30 pm – Team Do Re Mi
There are a limited number of tickets still available. Tickets are £20 and £15 and are available from The Lyric box office or from the Theatrau Sir Gar website –
https://www.theatrausirgar.co.uk/en/shows/the-sound-of-music
By Robert Lloyd https://rlloydpr.substack.com/
