You watched the movie as a child, so it's quite out of the question to miss the Musical. But I must admit that I was apprehensive about watching Raell Padamsee's production of THE SOUND OF MUSIC. Would an Indian cast of actors do it justice? Moreover, where on stage would they accommodate the famed hills that are alive with the 'sound of music' and the scent of Edelweiss? I suppose I was nervous for director Advait Hazarat because there were a lot of expectations from him.
Set in Austria, just before WWII, THE SOUND OF MUSIC revolves around Maria (Delna Modi) who is sent away from her Abbey to care for Captain Von Trapp's (Dalip Tahil) seven children. While they get off to a rough start, she soon wins them over by introducing them to music. Her love for the children and the naivety with which she reprimands the Captain's disciplinary skills, help them find love with each other as well. But Germany's invasion of Austria and Captain Von Trapp's summon to the navy soon threaten to tear the happy family apart. Maria thus hatches a plot that might detain the Captain's departure, until they make their plans to escape Austria.
The play is strictly 'all right' for the most part but there are moments that find you welling up - the opening rendition of the nuns at Nonnberg Abbey is one of them. You might mislead yourself into believing that it will all sound like a school choir, but once the talented singers begin their rendition, especially Marianne D'Cruz Aiman who plays the Mother Abbess, you suddenly experience a mixture of emotions in quick succession - confusion, awe and deep admiration.
The next time you find yourself holding your tears is when Dalip Tahil takes the stage for his solo of Edelweiss. His elegance, poise and that deep voice we've come to associate with Captain Von Trapp tugs at your heart as you feel his lament. He wishes his homeland the best while surreptitiously saying good-bye to it as a protest to the regime of the Nazis.
Delna Modi has skill but she fails to make a believable Maria. Modi gives the role her best as a singer but her facial expression is frozen between a smile and a scream. Also, her eyes stare ahead blank, unblinking and seemingly not registering her surroundings. The script of the production is bound quite tightly but there is no point comparing it with the movie as it is produced for the stage. Director Adavit Hazarat has done a great job of keeping all the acts together and making the actors- many of whom are young children, very comfortable on stage. The production also earns a lot of points for including children from across the board, especially the ones who aren't from mainstream schools.
I went in as a cynic, expecting to walk out with my brain swimming in puns, but what I ended up learning is that a Musical like THE SOUND OF MUSIC is universal. It transcends race, culture and most importantly, age. It was a warm, musical welcome from children singing my childhood favourites. The Musical is timeless, which is why you're bound to enjoy it equally with friends, family and even if you're all by yourself.
