RICHARD PARR Norwich Playhouse

RICHARD PARR

Norwich Playhouse

When it comes to musical tastes most youngsters are addicted to their MP3 players and downloading their latest favourite tracks.

But for the talented members of the Norfolk Youth Music Theatre it is considered cool to be re-creating Rodgers and Hammerstein's classic Sound of Music rather than a contemporary R and B hip-hop sound.

The love story of Maria, a young novice nun, and a widowed Naval Captain with seven children is well known. But this is a refreshing production with actors like 25-year-old Josh Lincoln portraying the much older captain Von Trapp. His confident voice and stage presence made him an audience favourite.

Equally Anna Watson is a delightful Maria, full of young innocence, but with a steely spirit. Josh and Anna make an effective partnership, particularly in their duet numbers.

Harriet Birchall gives a wonderful performance as Mother Abbess - her strong, confident voice filling the auditorium. Her major musical number Climb Every Mountain drew appreciative applause.

The seven children are delightfully well cast and rehearsed and soon win a place in the hearts of the audience. Their puppet scene was particularly effective.

NYMT director Adrian Connell always strives to get the best from his young cast and at yesterday's opening night they didn't let him down. Effective musical backing is provided throughout.

Supporting elements - including effective lighting, minimalist sets and swift scene changes - all combined to produce a show that sparkled from start to finish.

t The show can be seen nightly at 7.30 until Saturday, April 8. There are matinees on Thursday and Saturday.