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'Sound of Music' That Should Be Very Sweet

16 Oct 1970
Rehearsal location not given

'Sound of Music' That Should Be Very Sweet

Joan Waterworth, Audrey Pearce and Louise Pensam in the parts of the Mother Abbess and the two nuns.

There's something thrilling about a rehearsal as opening night draws nearer, and when that rehearsal is for a full-scale musical, like the "Sound of Music," then it is even more pleasurable. That's the impression a visitor gains by attending Burnley Light Opera Society's rehearsals for that show, with the full cast hard at work under the direction of producer Miss Hilda Basnett and musical director Kenneth Healey.

"The Sound of Music," which opens at the Empire Theatre on October 26th 1970, must be one of the most successful musicals ever, and the show should have the same appeal to the Burnley public as the society's production of "My Fair Lady" two seasons ago. Geoff Pratt is making his debut in the principal role of Von Trapp, and newcomer to the society, Pat Catlow plays Maria, Malcolm Gent is cast as Max, and Joan Waterworth as the Mother Abbess, Louise Pensam and Audrey Pearce play the two nuns. Five girls and two boys make up the "family," and these are played by Elaine Halton, Deborah Blake, Katherine Kinsella, Caroline Taylor, Hilary McKnight, Terry Long and Nicholas Swarbrick.

Wonderful music, a talented cast and colourful costumes should add up to a memorable production and, given the support of the public, "The Sound of Music" should be a very sweet sound indeed.

Search the website using the words - Von Trapp - to find the report of the opening night.

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