Forth Children’s Theatre are performing their version of the musical The Sound of Music, based on the memoir of Maria Augusta Trapp. Their run is at Broughton High School until Saturday 12th April 2025. A young postulate who serves as a governess to the seven children of the imperious Captain Von Trapp brings music and joy to the household. But as the forces of Nazism take hold in Austria, Maria and the entire Von Trapp family must make a moral decision.
Maria McDonald portrays Maria Rainer. She carries the entire story on her shoulders effortlessly, channeling her best Julie Andrews while also making the part her own. She is gentle and kind while also commanding and demands respect from all around her. Her vocals are on point and her delivery clear and impactful.
Harry Aspinall does very well as Captain Georg Von Trapp. His rigid and high-strung physicality is very well done, while he is an imposing, tall presence among the rest, adding authority to his Georg. He delights with some lovely bass-y vocals and also opens up a softer, gentle side to Georg throughout that is lovely to watch.
Elyssa Tait is Mother Abbess. The vocals on display from Tait are really extraordinary. Her vibrato and control are a wonderful and welcome surprise. With the sheer amount of power and volume Tait possesses, she could probably fill the auditorium without a vocal mic.
Jess Taylor does well as Elsa Schrader. Her upper-class Schrader is at first like and fun, but later lets her mask slip, revealing nicely that she nearly uses the children to her benefit, instead of loving them like Maria.
Joseph Coane is a scene stealer as Max Detweiler. His stage presence and charisma are unmatched here. The constant comedic relief, he manages to cause belly laughs while also hinting at a slightly darker, more desperate side to Max that we don’t always see, but is always there.
Orla Harrison is Liesel Von Trapp, alongside Sam Hunter as Rolf Gruber they both give us a lovely rendition of Sixteen Going On Seventeen. Harrison does well as the eldest child of the Von Trapps, eager to move on and grow up, while Hunter is grand as Gruber. A highlight coming in Act 2 when his Gruber has an impactful, hair-raising moment of redemption.
The rest of the Von Trapp children are also excellent here. They each play their respective child very well, clearly portraying their individual personalities for the audience and there are no weakest links here. They are as follows: Liam Urbanczyk-Guzik as Friedrich, Bibi Coane as Louisa, Oliver Freeman-Ferguson as Kurt, Emma Swain as Brigitta, Lillie Paul as Marta and Kiera Swain as Gretl. Fantastic performances all round.
Maisie Aitchison stepped in last minute for the role of Franz the Butler on opening night, and she did a splendid job, even being off book for a part she doesn’t normally play.
The rest of the cast and ensemble all do wonderfully to help complete the excellent show Forth Children’s Theatre have put together over the last few months.
The direction from Aofie Summers is great. The piece flows nicely and transitions are handled well for the most. Each performer has a strong confidence on stage no doubt due to Summer’s guidance. The overall feel and tone of the piece is consistent, and they don’t shy away from the darkness present in the story.
The choreography by Jayne Orchard and assistant Choreographer Mirrin Macleay was very tight and well-rehearsed, the moves on display added to the stylisation of scene changes and the overall joyous tone throughout. The musical direction from conductor Jack Gardner is good, there was the occasional moment where the underscore seemed to take a moment to kick in, once remedied (after opening night nerves) will make for a much tighter feel to the music overall.
The lighting from Callum Farrell is nice and helps as mood and tone throughout. The costumes are excellent and help the performers shine.
Overall, FCT’s production of The Sound of Music is a lovely, warm and well put together show that all involved have clearly worked very hard on. With a fuzzy story of hope, and love that we could all use right now, it’s definitely worth catching while you can.
Currently playing Broughton High School until Saturday 12th April 2025, get tickets here –
Theatre Scotland 
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