Focus Birmingham

by Vidar Hjardeng

The Birmingham Hippodrome’s big summer show this year is, arguably, the most popular musical of all time, Richard Rodgers’ and Oscar Hammerstein’s The Sound of Music. Quite apart from all those wonderful, familiar melodies including Do Re Mi, Edelweiss and My Favourite Things - an additional bonus was Connie Fisher, who many may remember for winning the part of Maria, in the high profile BBC series, ‘How Do You Solve a Problem like Maria?’ – and very good she was too!

The audio described performance was last Saturday afternoon, and there was a very good number of fellow visually impaired patrons and their companions, who took advantage of the 1 pm Touch Tour. Clearly, the show itself was a big draw but I think that for many blind and partially sighted people, a Saturday matinee is often their first choice, not least because it is easier to get to and from the theatre during the day. On this occasion
Margaret Spittles and Julia Grundy (from Sightlines) were our 2 audio describers, and, along with Neil and Mim from the Company, they took us onstage to see the opening set, namely the hill on which Maria first appears immediately captivating the audience as she sings the unforgettable title number. Then, as some of the cast came out to rehearse on stage, we were taken behind the scenes for a closer look at some of the props and costumes from the show. As well as giving you the advantage of literally getting a feel for some of these items, an unhurried touch tour such as this, also enables you to ask more general questions about the production itself. It was particularly interesting, for example, to hear more about the 3 teams of young actors who play the 7 Von Trapp children - how they are chosen - how long they are with the tour – and how they balance performing and keeping up with their school work.
Back in the bar/café areas Rachel and Jonathan from the theatre ensured that everyone got a working headset and showed any newcomers to audio description, how to operate it, before then taking them to their seats in time to listen to the ever helpful introductory notes 15 minutes before curtain-up. During the show itself Julia and Margaret were careful to ensure that their ‘live’ commentary didn’t encroach on any of the wonderful singing.

Brought up on the iconic Julie Andrews film I, no doubt like many others, have always had a very soft spot for this uplifting musical based on the true story of the courageous Von Trapp family. This was reinforced on Saturday, when you couldn’t fail to be impressed by the performances of the children – one aged only 6. And ‘Climb Every Mountain’ has always been one of my favourite songs which, thanks to a superb rendition by Marilyn Hill Smith it still is.

The next audio-described performance at the Birmingham Hippodrome is another favourite family musical, Tim Rice and Andrew Lloyd-Webber’s ‘Joseph and the Amazing Technicolour Dreamcoat’ at 4.30 pm Thursday 9 September, and details on ticket prices, how to book headsets and places on the touch tour, can be obtained from the box office on 0844 338 5000.