Launceston College came alive on Saturday with the sound of potential von Trapps.
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More than 150 people are expected to audition for Encore Theatre Company’s production of The Sound of Music throughout the weekend, including nearly 100 children.
Scheduled for November, the production continues the company’s 10th anniversary victory lap, after a successful staging of Les Miserables in March.
The company first put on both shows in its debut year.
Sound of Music director Danny Gibson said the “timeless” nature of the musical meant it was still relevant to modern audiences.
“I think it’s still one of the world’s favourite musicals,” he said.
“The thrill of being on stage as one of the von Trapp children, or as Captain von Trapp or Maria is always going to create a strong level of interest.
“People remember watching the VHS, or going to the drive-in, and now they are seeing the show on blue-ray DVD, or Netflix.
“It’s great to be able to bring it back, because it was the first one we staged.”
The Sound of Music is based on the real life story of the Trapp Family singers, a popular 1930s concert group.
It tells the story of a postulant at an Austrian abbey, who becomes a governess in the home of a widowed naval captain with seven children.
The oldest of the children was the focus for Launceston’s Elise Kolka on Saturday, as she sang Sixteen Going On Seventeen for Encore Theatre members.
The 16-year-old said the company’s previous production of the musical left a lasting impression.
“I’ve liked ever since I first saw it as a six-year-old,” she said.
“It’s such a beautiful musical and the characters are so memorable.
“I’ve participated in other musicals before, but this is the first time I have auditioned for Encore.”
The cast for The Sound of Music will be announced in the coming weeks, with rehearsals to commence in July.
It will have a three-week run at the Princess Theatre from November 2.
Tickets for the show are already available through the Princess Theatre booking office.
For more information about the production, including show times, visit encoretheatre.org.au.
Sean Slatter
Journalist at Fairfax Media based at Launceston.
Journalist at Fairfax Media based at Launceston.
