The hills are alive with the sound of one of the greatest musicals of all time.
The award-winning, family-loved classic 'The Sound Of Music' returns to the Australian stage fronted by Amy Lehpamer as Maria and Cameron Daddo as Captain von Trapp.
Inspired by the lives of the real-life von Trapp family, the musical tells the story of Maria, a woman failing in her attempts at becoming a nun, when she is asked to be the governess for a family of seven children.
She arrives at the house only to discover that the children's father, ex-naval officer Georg, runs his household much the same as he ran his ships: with high discipline and a strict set of rules and regulations. Through song and dance, Maria shows the children the fun side of life, eventually proving to the Captain that she is worthy of being his wife, and the mother of his children.
The music in the show, from 'Do Re Mi' to 'Favourite Things', is something that has concreted itself in the hallways of history, entering the lives of millions and echoing through theatres in every corner of the world.
Cameron Daddo, Australian actor, musician and presenter, stars as Captain Georg von Trapp in the Australian show. He's done extensive research on the real-life Captain in order to prepare for the role that so many around the world know and love.
“He wrote quite a detailed account of his time as a Marine Captain, so I've been immersing myself in that, and getting into who he is prior to when we meet him in 'The Sound Of Music',” Cameron says.
Cameron's home is in the mountains of Los Angeles; a hillside community called Topanga. Keeping fit for the show has been a top priority for him, and the national park nearby makes it a breeze. “I think I've been in that park pretty much five times a week, pounding out the miles, singing Edelweiss and running around the tracks,” he laughs.
Seeing excerpts of the film throughout his life, Cameron says he's leaving a lot of the preparation and learning up until rehearsals. “It's really important I find – as an actor – to pay attention to those initial discoveries and 'a-ha' moments... They really do inform me of what an audience might also be having a first impression about.”
He sees the transformation of the Captain from stern and cold to loving and nurturing as “beautiful”. “It's a gift to be able to play this character every night, and have that journey to go on... This beautiful turnaround that happened via Maria and the music, that's all new to me.”
In terms of what part of the show Cameron is most excited for: “I love the dance Maria and the Captain do... I can't wait to play with that and have that experience, I've certainly felt those moments in real life.
“You know when you dance with someone and you're going 'holy crap I'm actually feeling something here, and there's synergy, I can't be feeling this so I'll just break away'... The fact that he actually gets to have her is a beautiful pay-off.”
Cameron thinks the show is far more impacting than the film because of the unfiltered and raw nature of the actors on stage. “Going to the theatre is one of the greatest endorphin releases for us... You're present with the human spirit on stage, you can see the sweat and you can see the occasional spit.
“Theatre versions of films – when they're done well – really do complement them and make it a more visual experience.”
The show has been reproduced and re-imagined countless times since the film was released in 1965, and Cameron urges that people of all ages should expose themselves to its iconic imagery, music and storyline.
“Every generation deserves to see, witness and experience a story like this... It's joyous, it's sad, it's poignant... It's as relevant today as it has ever been in terms of displaced families, oppression, love and music.”
The Sound Of Music Tour Dates
From 13 December – Capitol Theatre (Sydney)From 11 March – Queensland Performing Arts Centre (Brisbane)
From 13 May – Regent Theatre (Melbourne)
From 9 August – Adelaide Festival Centre
