After last year's smash hit Sweeney Todd Sheffield's leading amateur company are back with a glittering new production of The Sound of Music. This classic and endearing musical is based on the book The Story of the Trapp Family Singers. It features an unforgettable Rodgers and Hammerstein score, including My Favourite Things, Do-Re-Mi and Climb Every Mountain.
Joan Bennett Chairwoman of Croft House said; "We have been overwhelmed by the phenomenal demand for tickets for this year's production by Croft. We are absolutely delighted that audiences of Sheffield want to engage with and support our work and we are looking forward to performing in the Lyceum once again. The Sound of Music is rarely, theatrically performed in Sheffield so this truly is a unique chance for people to experience the stage version of this classic. "
The Sound of Music has captured the hearts of children and adults since its beginnings as a broadway hit. Set in the 1930's, a spirited young postulant named Maria Rainer is sent to serve as a governess for Captain Von Trapp, a widower with seven children. Her unorthodox methods quickly win over the children but clash with the regimental conduct the Captain insists upon.
She wins over both captain and children with the sound of music. The original Broadway production opened on November 16, 1959, it was adapted as a 1965 film musical starring Julie Andrews and Christopher Plummer, which won five Academy Awards. The Sound of Music was the final musical written by Rodgers and Hammerstein;
The cast of entirely local performers are, Louise Walker (Maria) and Craig Lawton (Captain Von Trapp), they will be joined by John Crowther (Zeller), Ellie Hudson (Leisl), Judi Johnson-Hart (Frau Schmidt), Helen Kempton (Margaretta) Matthew Madeley (Rolf) Mary Newey (Mother Abbess) Steve Pashley (Franz), Helen Paterson (Sophia), Martin Peacock(Max), Rachel Pointon (Berthe) and Ruth White (Elsa). The Von Trapp children will be performed by a team of two groups. James Hadabora and Daniel Fenwick (Freidrich), Emma Guest and Rebecca Hanneman (Louisa), Ewan Revill and Jack Skelton (Kurt), Charlotte Stone and Pippa Crossland (Brigitta), Connie Campbell and Alice Banister (Marta), Maddison King and Thea Barnes (Gretl).
Croft House Theatre Company has over 100 years of producing theatre; their original premises were in the heart of Sheffield in Garden Street. The aim of Croft House was to help the young people of what was then a slum area of Sheffield, by providing 'Education and Recreation.'
From humble beginnings when productions were originally staged at Garden Street, the Society grew and their audience widened, so much so, that they had to move to the Temperance Hall (on the site of the later Sheffield Playhouse) and now they play all of Sheffield's top venues including the Lyceum Theatre and Sheffield City Hall. The company is made up of entirely local, amateur performers.
Due to the high demand for tickets restricted view seats are available, disabled access seats will be released the day before each performance and there is a waiting list for cancellations.
Tickets for the production are priced £10 - £22 and available by contacting
Sheffield Theatres Box Office 0114 249 6000 www.sheffieldtheatres.co.uk
SHEFFIELD'S SEVEN HILLS ARE ALIVE WITH THE SOUND OF MUSIC
