WHEN Kate Brock steps on to the stage later this month, she will be looking to emulate one of cinema’s most famous performances.

For Kate is playing Maria in Abingdon Operatic Society’s production of The Sound of Music – the musical’s lead role made universally famous by Julie Andrews in the 1965 film.

So she has been honing her performance of Maria’s classic numbers from the Rodgers and Hammerstein show which include My Favourite Things, Do-Re-Mi and The Sound of Music.

In the midst of her rehearsals, Kate told the Herald: “Playing Maria is a privilege and a joy.

“I’ve always loved this musical, but it’s only in rehearsing it that I’ve begun to appreciate what a well-crafted piece of theatre it is, as well an extremely powerful story.”

Playing opposite Kate is Duncan Blagrove as widower Captain von Trapp, whose seven troublesome children she is sent to look after as governess after the young postulant is not seen as being cut out for life as a nun in a Salzburg abbey.

Unlike her stern-mannered predecessors, Maria quickly becomes friends with the children as she shares with them her love for the Austrian mountains and for music.

And soon even the strict retired naval officer Capt von Trapp begins to notice the magical difference that she has brought to his home.

But the storm clouds of the Second World War are looming above Maria’s beloved mountains and there seems to be no escape from the evil that threatens their homeland.

The original stage production of The Sound of Music opened on Broadway in 1959, later going on to win five Tony Awards. It was based on the book The Story of the Trapp Family Singers, by Maria von Trapp.

Many of its songs, which also included Edelweiss and Climb Ev'ry Mountain, went on to become standards. The later film version, which also starred Christopher Plummer, won five Academy Awards.

The show, coming to the Amey Theatre, Abingdon School, from Monday to Saturday, April 13 to 18, is directed by Katie Nye, with musical direction from John Nye and choreography by Tara Hunter.

Mr Nye said: “Music touches the soul. Rodgers and Hammerstein certainly knew this.

“The music of The Sound of Music is stunningly well written, wonderful to perform, and uplifting to listen to.

“Add to that the story, the character of Maria, and the wonderful children, and one would have to be totally soulless not to be profoundly moved.”

Looking forward to her performances as Maria, Kate said: “I’ve really enjoyed working with Katie, John, Tara, Duncan and the rest of our cast, not to mention our two talented teams of children.”

Sophie Ruggiero takes the role the Capt’s fiancee, Baroness Elsa von Schraeder, while Rob Bertwistle plays their mutual friend Capt Max Detweiler. The von Trapps’ housekeeper Frau Schmidt is played by Barbara Denton, and Franz the butler by Simon Blainey.

At the abbey, the role of Mother Abbess is taken by Ann Turton, with Lynne Winter as Sister Sophia, Jenna Elliott (Sister Margaretta) and Lorna Stevenson-Walker (Sister Berthe).

Also in the cast are Paul Bruce as Rolfe, the telegram delivery boy, Helen Hawkins as Cantor, and Chris Turton as Herr Zeller.

The two teams of young people playing the roles of Capt von Trapp’s children are: Liesl: Olivia Baird and Hannah Dray; Friedrich: Patrick Cole and Lewis Hinds; Louisa: Holly Barrett and Rosie Toolin; Kurt: Jack Denton and Toby Littlejohn; Brigitta: Georgia Knowlden and Neela Nee; Marta: Harley Edwards and Annie Roberts; Gretl: Lily-May Pullen-Campbell and Emily Vines.

The show is being performed at 7.30pm nightly with an extra matinee performance at 2.30pm on the Saturday. Tickets are priced at £13 to £16 for adults, £12 to £15 for senior citizens and £9 and £10 for under-17s and students. Book online at www. abingdonoperatic.co.uk or call the enquiry line on 01235 834383.

Unnumbered balcony seats can be purchased from the Newbury Building Society branch in West St Helen Street, Abingdon.