A classic revisited, with fresh air in its lungs.
If you are looking for something to brighten up the bleak month of January, be sure to catch The Sound of Music at Curve, Leicester. With shows up until Saturday 17 January 2026, it brings the much-loved songs and story to the heart of the city. The production fills the stage with warmth, charm and musical excitement, reminding audiences why this classic continues to captivate generation after generation.
The Sound of Music tells the story of Maria, a postulant nun with a restless spirit and an instinctive love of music, who is sent to care for seven children of the widowed Captain von Trapp. Through song, warmth and gentle rebellion, she restores joy to a household shaped by grief and rigidity and intime finds love herself. It is a musical that balances domestic intimacy with historical unease, sweetness with steel and is filled with timeless songs and heartfelt emotion. It remains a powerful tale of love, courage and hope that remind audiences why it is a widely cherished classic.
Director Nikolai Foster thoughtfully reimagined the story for Curve’s incredible stage while honouring the original. Foster leans into the score from Rodgers and Hammerstein’s enduring gift to musical theatre, allowing the songs to anchor the storytelling. Familiar numbers are given space to breathe, and the emotional architecture of the piece feels carefully maintained.
One of the production’s most striking achievement lies in its handling of tension. The sequence in which the von Trapp family evade the searching German officers is staged with stark simplicity. The harsh beams of light cut through the darkness, and the sense of peril is unmistakable. I was fully submerged into the dramatic tension of the scene.
Visually, the production is richly rewarding. The set design makes full use of Curve’s scale, with sweeping mountain imagery dominating the stage. Flowing water runs continuously through the landscape, a simple touch that adds a sense of realism to the production. It is a handsome, confident design that frames the action without overwhelming it.
The show is elevated by the live orchestra doing justice to Richard Rodgers’ score. Every familiar melody is present, but it is Do-Re-Mi that remains my favourite, capturing the spirit of the evening, a joyful steep into nostalgia.
As Maria, Molly Lynch brings a sincerity that feels refreshingly grounded. A familiar face at Curve, with previous credits including Carousel and Sweeney Todd with the English National Opera, Lynch allows warmth and musicality to emerge naturally, creating a heroine who feels human. Her rapport with the von Trapp children is particularly effective, and their collective energy gives the production much of its heart.
David Seadon-Young delivers a compelling Captain von Trapp, following the character’s journey from stern to genuine warmth. His early severity never feels caricatured, making the eventual softening all more convincing. The children, meanwhile, bring a refreshing authenticity to the stage. Their energy and natural chaos feels entirely appropriate, grounding the family dynamic in something recognisably real.
Every performer adds their own touch, finding moments of fun and individuality within popular roles, while Molly Lynch’s clear chemistry with the cast strengthens Maria’s presence and builds her character.
What ultimately distinguishes this production is its emotional balance. It perfectly delivers moments of delight, silence and allows the weight of history to press against the story. Laughter flows easily, but so do moments of genuine reflection. The incredible production received a well-deserved standing ovation with prolonged applause.
For those encountering The Sound of Music for the first time, this is a generous and welcoming introduction. For those who know it well, it offers the pleasure of rediscovering familiar paths with a new point of view.
Make this winter one to remember with the enchanting The Sound of Music at Curve.
★★★★☆ – A truly uplifting experience you won’t want to miss!
For more information on tickets, visit www.curveonline.co.uk
