THE STAGE will come alive with The Sound of Music when Rugby Theatre stages its 70th anniversary show – poignantly dedicated to a long-standing member of the company who passed away last month.
The iconic musical – and a staple of Christmas television – opens for a nine-performance run on Friday (December 6).
The show’s director Emma Bright said the show will be performed in memory of Helen Dulcamara.
She said: “For the cast, creative team and the Rugby Theatre family as a whole, this show is tinged with sadness.
“Helen, a long-standing member of the theatre, was to direct this production and had chosen her ideal cast earlier in 2019. Sadly, Helen was diagnosed with lung cancer in July and died peacefully at home on November 5.
“The adage ‘the show must go on’ never felt so real, but we knew that Helen would have had it no other way. We dedicate The Sound of Music to her.”
The musical marks 70 years since Rugby Theatre’s first ever production.
In December 1949, the theatre opened with a play called Fisherman’s Rest, written and directed by founding member Raymond Owen. Ever since, the theatre has staged a special December show – and The Sound of Music will continue that tradition.
Starring the world-famous singing von Trapp family, the musical tells the story of headstrong nun-in-training Maria, who leaves her Austrian abbey to become governess for a widowed naval captain with seven children. Maria brings a new love of life and music into their home – but all this is threatened by the imminent Nazi annexation of Austria.
Emma added: “This Rodgers and Hammerstein family favourite is inspired by the true story of the von Trapp family, which shows how love, honour, belief and determination can bring people together in the face of adversity.
“All the songs you love are there – The Sound of Music, My Favourite Things, The Lonely Goatherd and, of course, Do-Re-Mi – and there are also a couple you may not have heard as they weren’t in the film, but they are just as toe-tappingly good.
“This is a firm family favourite that will get Christmas celebrations off to a great start. The wonderful cast bring this musical alive on stage and you really don’t want to miss it. A true celebration of our 70 years in Rugby.”
The Sound of Music opens on Friday (December 6) and continues for a nine-performance run, including Sunday matinees, until December 15. Visit www.rugbytheatre.co.uk or call 01788 541234 for tickets.
