When surein told us that we'll be performing sound of music in october, I thought 'oh shit. heavy set changes!'. I will be backstage moving heavy props, along with Peter and Jakque, stressing out Sugi to a point where he would would blackouts. And today when I went to take some pictures of the rehearsals, I heard Jerome saying 'there is going to be a set change here... this bed would have to go... and stage hands will need a few seconds for it...' Ahem!

I watched the movie several times. It illustrates the philosophy of music; how music works; how it soothes the soul. This post contains a note written by Surein de S. Wijeyeratne about the performance and some pictures I took.

I'll leave you with some insight from a wise old man:

'If I were not a physicist, I would probably be a musician. I often think in music. I live my daydreams in music. I see my life in terms of music.' - Albert Einstein

The Performance

• Presented by: The Workshop Players
• Directed by: Jerome L. De Silva
• Performance Dates: 17 - 26 October 2008
• Location: Lionel Wendt, Colombo 07, Sri Lanka

The Sound of Music

by Surein de S. Wijeyeratne

It's an interesting title is it not - The Sound of Music? Consider this.

It is easily the most popular musical in the history of musical theatre. Why? Well, it's because it is the origin of the most well-known songs from any piece of musical theatre, ever. Think about it – every little boy or girl who is taught their first song or tune on a piano is taught the song Doe a Deer. Every soprano who has ever sung a solo in a school choir or singing competition has sung Climb Every Mountain. Edelweiss, Sixteen going on Seventeen and How do you solve a problem like Maria, are most often household favourites. Did anybody even know the concept of a musical scale being assigned the sounds of Do Re Mi Fa So La Ti.... dates back to the 8th century? As far as you know, it originated from The Sound of Music right?

Which is why the title is so apt – for many, this musical is in itself the very essence of music. It embodies what we know as being the sound of music.

Which is also why it has been done to death by every single school of drama and music, Convent, College, International School or even a few nurseries.

So why exactly are The Workshop Players producing it in October this year?

Simple, because it is The Sound of Music!
Let's go through the potential FAQ's then, shall we?

Isn't it an old musical? Why not do something new and not seen in Colombo before?

It's not just any old musical - It's a classic. Possibly the classic among classics! The last combined effort of the doyens of a golden era of musicals – Rogers & Hammerstein. Its part and parcel of popular culture.
We, (The Workshop Players that is) have done the modern, newer, musicals mostly and now want to pay our own humble tribute to some of their great predecessors and so reviving The Sound of Music seemed like a very good place to start!

But hasn't everybody has seen it and don't they know the story backwards?

Yes they do. And they love it all the more because of it. This musical is a Triumph of audiences over critics. You just love every aspect of it, despite the fact that you've grown up with it.
However, most people have seen the film adaptation or a stage adaptation of the film adaptation. The full theatrical version by The Workshop Players promises to be more than the usual fare. We're throwing everything we've got into it as usual... Lights, stage set, sound, costumes etc...

Directed by?

Errrr... Jerome L. De Silva. You may have heard of him.

But won't it compare unfavourably against the film version? Against Julie Andrews and Christopher Plummer?

We're sorry to disappoint you, but Julie is not a Workshop Player. But we do have some of the best Sri Lankan talent that currently treads the boards at the Wendt. The performers you see will definitely delight and entertain. The singing is already sounding wonderful and so is the music.
So if you'd rather watch the movie, please do. But if you want a night at the theatre thats worth your ticket money and somewhere that you can take the entire family? Then get those tickets nice and early.

Rotating casts?

Not really – but a few alternating performers for some of the roles. It's a long run, so this will definitely come in handy. Besides, we'd never put someone up there who we didn't consider good enough to entertain an audience.

Copyrights?

Of course. Expensive copyrights at that.

Dates? Venue? Tickets?

October 16 – 26. Lionel Wendt. Tickets will be available at the Wendt, a few weeks before the show.

Photo Gallery

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