'The Sound of Music' is my all time favourite film and I have watched it countless times. In addition, I have seen several theatre productions and this was up there with the best. Those who compare this to the film and contrast actors' choices in portraying their parts are missing the point - this is not intended to be a remake of the film. Of course different actors will bring their own personality to the role - it would be merely a pointless rip-off if they tried to imitate every nuance of the film. Julian Ovenden seems to have been particularly subject to criticism but I think he captures the emptiness that the Captain's life has had since losing his wife, and also his cold and distant nature which warms gradually with Maria's influence. The staging of the Laendler dance between Maria and the Captain was stunning as the background characters slowed down for certain sections. Also, the 2 songs of the stage version sung by Elsa and Max were brilliant comic relief. Overall, I thought this was brilliant all round. I'm so glad that it was different from the film otherwise it would be just a replica which could never live up to the original. Don't try to see it as being a would-be replacement for the film, rather as being an independent version in a different medium that we can treasure alongside the film and other productions. For critics, I suggest you definitely avoid the American version of 'The Sound of Music Live' as that truly had acting that was unconvincing and wooden.
