Call for auditions: ‘The Sound of Music’ at The Playhouse

The Sound of Music is a musical based on the memoir of Maria von Trapp. Set in Austria on the eve of World War II in 1938, the musical tells the story of Maria, who takes a job as governess to a large family while she decides whether to become a nun. She falls in love with the children, and eventually their widowed father, Captain von Trapp. He is ordered to accept a commission in the German navy, but he opposes the Nazis. He and Maria decide on a plan to flee Austria with the children. Many songs from the musical have become standards, such as ‘Edelweiss’, ‘My Favorite Things’, ‘Climb Ev'ry Mountain’, ‘Do-Re-Mi’ and the title song ‘The Sound of Music’. The play was first staged on Broadway in New York in 1959, and in London in 1961. It was adapted as a 1965 film musical starring Julie Andrews, which won five Academy Awards.

This brand new staging in South Africa will be directed by well-loved theatre director and actor Ralph Lawson and includes the KZN Philharmonic Orchestra.

Relevant roles will be taken through a movement audition with no preparation needed. All auditionees to bring a one page CV and a full length photograph with them to the audition. Please attend the audition dressed accordingly for both the singing, acting and dance segments. Sheet music for the songs from The Sound Of Music will be supplied for the audition pianist. All other sheet music to be brought to the audition.

Auditions will take place as follows:

• 21-22 November in Johannesburg
• 11 December in Durban
• 5 February 2016 in Cape Town

Roles include lead adults, featured characters, chorus members and childen aged 5-15 to play the Von Trapp clan. Successful applicants will be required for rehearsals in Durban from late October 2016. Successful applicants will be required for rehearsals in Durban from late October 2016. The season will run from 24 November 2016 to 8 January 2017.

It is essential to book an audition time slot, please contact Donna McLaggan on 031 369 9457 between 9am and 12pm Monday to Wednesday. For more details on the various characters as well as what you will need to prepare, visit the Playhouse Company website.

The Playhouse Company is eThekwini’s premier theatre organisation, based at the Playhouse theatre complex in Anton Lembede Street (formerly Smith Street) in the heart of the coastal city of Durban, KwaZulu-Natal on the eastern seaboard of South Africa. As a cultural institution The Playhouse Company receives public funding from the South African National Government and the KwaZulu-Natal Provincial Government.