The Hill are alive with sound of music as children audition for Swindon musical
5:21pm Wednesday 18th January 2012 in Theatre & Arts By Flicky Harrison
MORE than 200 youngsters applied for the parts of the Von Trapp family children in a spring production of The Sound of Music.
In a workshop-style audition, 180 young actors, singers and dancers were put through their paces at Churchfields Academy under the guiding hands of Judith Sharp and Ray Dance from R and J Musicals.
The famous show, which starred Christopher Plummer and Julie Andrews in the 1965 feature film, is presented at the Swindon Arts Centre from May 23 to 27 in aid of those suffering from Alzheimer’s disease.
Ray said: “The workshop went extremely well and the children had great enjoyment.
“It took a lot of organisation but we are fortunate, we have a good team of professional, dedicated and willing people who put a lot into the planning and the preparation.’’ The standard was so high that the producers are calling back 58 of the youngsters, aged between seven and 16, to a recall on Sunday.
The young actors will take part in an advanced drama and movement workshop where they will perform with some of the adults they will be interacting with in the production.
Ray said: “We have so much talent here in Swindon that it is difficult to say who will go through, it will be a challenge. We should have 107 children instead of seven.”
The young stars will be showing off their skills with Judith and Ray as Maria and Captain Von Trapp, Stuart Dark as Uncle Max and Gemma Short who plays the Baroness.
Gemma will also be co-ordinating the choreography for the show so she will be leading the dance side of the audition.
“The hardest part, especially with the little ones, is having to say no,” said Ray.
Tickets to see The Sound of Music are on sale now at £11 and £10, from 01672 861654 or 01793 485025.
