"The Sound Of Music" by Nottingham Operatic Society.
Nottingham Theatre Royal.

Based on Baroness Maria Von Trapp’s 1949 autobiography, this wonderful staging of The Sound Of Music tells the true story of nun Maria Rainer, who is sent to be a Governess to Captain Von Trapp's children, and the world-famous singing Von Trapp family, From their romantic beginnings and search for happiness, to their escape to freedom over the hills as their beloved Austria becomes part of the Third Reich at the start of World War Two.

Before I start, I have a confession to make....I have never seen a West End show.

While local theatre groups continue to produce this standard of quality show in the East Midlands, I have no urgent desire to venture South for my theatrical desires.

While waiting at the bus stop, I overheard a fellow theatre goer ask the person they were with, "well which ones were the professionals? I couldn't tell which were which!" Says it all really doesn't it?

In so many shows I am lucky enough to see, I always say that the only difference between a professional actor and show and the local ones I see is the wage packet.

Directed and choreographed by Dave Partridge, I don't need to go on about this man's talent but to refer anyone to the above. Just wonderful!

Musically Directed by Morven Harrison, the orchestra were exciting as well as tender, they made your toes tap, they made you well up; and the quality of sound and vocal/orchestra mix was perfectly balanced.

The soundtrack includes many many well known songs, "Maria", "Climb Ev'ry Mountain", "Do Re Mi", "Sixteen Going On Seventeen", "Edelweiss", "The Lonely Goatherd", "So Long Farewell" and of course the title track. Some clever lyrics from Oscar Hammerstein II in many of these songs; just listen out for the way he uses the word "mercedes", and of course some lush music from Richard Rodgers.

These were a few of my favourite things about the show, and now for some more....

Abby Wells (Maria) was a complete joy to watch, bursting with exuberance at the start and going through many emotions. A gorgeous voice and lovely chemistry with the children as well as the Captain, especially when she gives him both barrels about his children.

Kate Taylor (Mother Abbess), gets to show the restricted fun side of the Abbess as she duets with Maria in "My Favourite Things", but then gets back to her more staid side. A crystal clear vocal, especially highlighted in the powerful and iconic "Climb Ev'ry Mountain".

Paul Johnson (Captain Von Trapp) starts out by delivering a military precision performance as he treats his children like recruits, but lovely when that ice man image starts to melt, thanks to the reintroduction of music into his life by Maria and his children. I've not seen Paul give a bad performance ever, so here's to yet another successful part for Paul.

Simon Theobald (Max), and it's not often we see Simon playing a part baddie, but we see both sides of Simon's good/bad characterisation as Max. Slightly camp which adds humour to Max's personality and a seasoned musical theatre voice, making Simon an all rounder.

Louise Grantham (Elsa), also gets to play a bit of a nasty character in Elsa, the fiancee to Captain Von Trapp,who is a bit of a shallow character. A brilliant role though to add to her ever-growing and varied musical theatre CV.

I loved the change from quite a frosty character to a warmer Frau Schmidt, the Von Trapp housekeeper, played by Linda Croston, who at first didn't recognise.

Von Trapp's butler, Franz, yet another undercover nasty is played by Shaun Hanrahan.

Zak Charlesworth revisits his Rolf role from a few years ago at the Arts Theatre, if my memory serves me right, but this time around seems more sinister in Act Two. His winsome duet with Liesl in "Sixteen Going On Seventeen" shows that Zak is convincing as both a nice guy as well as the more meaty third Reich follower.

The children were the Blue Team tonight and were wonderful (I'm sure the Green Team are just as brilliant). Laurel Fiddes (Liesl), Jonathan Jaycock (Friedrich), Sally Elliot (Louisa), Brogan Haynes (Kurt), Phoebe Crawford (Brigitta), Effie Ballard (Marta) and Poppy Fawcett who stole the cuteness award as the baby of the bunch, Gretl.

A massive ensemble, which turned out to be great fun to spot those that I know, all with wonderful voices, which, as with the nun's chorus, sounded completely heavenly. they have a habit for sounding wonderful those nuns.

"The Sound Of Music" is one of those musicals that we seem to recall from the film they put on at Christmas and being just a bit twee, but with the great soundtrack and also the emotional content, plus, depending on which way you view the ending, is neither a happy one or a sad one.

Performed with class by classy performers, Nottingham Operatic Society continue their extensive run of show stopping musical theatre shows, proven by, what must have been a full house tonight, and the standing ovation the cast received.

I Have Confidence that this week will be a sold out week for NOS.

"The Sound Of Music" is at the Nottingham Theatre Royal until Saturday 2 November.