This Christmas, Leicester’s Curve Theatre welcomes audiences into the hills of Austria with a brand-new production of The Sound of Music, directed by Nikolai Foster.
At its heart is Molly Lynch as Maria – a role she describes as a childhood dream come true.
Picture credit: Curve
“I watched the movie so many times as a child,” Molly says. “I could never have dreamed I’d get such an opportunity as a grown-up to play the part.
“It truly will be like living out a dream.“
For Molly, The Sound of Music is the perfect show for the festive season. “It’s all about family,” she says. “That always ties in with Christmas. It’s about what really matters—love, joy, and music.”
Having recently starred in My Fair Lady at Curve, Molly returns to the theatre full of admiration for the team. “Curve’s standard of shows is so sensational,” she says. “You can be sure of a West End-quality production with all the inventiveness and excitement of Nikolai Foster’s original work.”
While Julie Andrews and Mary Martin left an iconic legacy as Maria, Molly was encouraged to bring her own voice to the role. “Nikolai gives actors so much freedom. We looked at the original script and asked, ‘What was this show when it was brand new?’ That’s where the real joy comes from.”
Maria, she says, is a character she relates to deeply. “She’s brave, funny, passionate, and beautifully silly. I can definitely relate to her chaotic nature – and the Catholic guilt! I love that she falls flat on her face and gets back up. She loves unapologetically.”
The role also connects with Molly on a very personal level. “It was probably my favourite film growing up. But I also have some Sound of Music trauma,” she laughs. “There was a production in my hometown of Cork, and I got to the final round for one of the child roles—but didn’t get it. Two of my cousins did. It broke my little 12-year-old heart. So this one’s for you, baby Molly!”
Looking ahead to the production, she’s especially excited to perform alongside stage legend Joanna Riding. “I think I’m most excited to listen to Joanna sing ‘Climb Ev’ry Mountain’ to me each night. That’s a dream come true in itself,” she shares.
Molly also hopes the show will inspire a new generation of theatregoers. “Young people today are so socially aware. I think they’ll appreciate the joy and humour in the show, but also its political backdrop. It’s entertaining, it’s moving—and it’s so relevant.”
So, what can audiences expect when the curtain rises this Christmas? “Hopefully they leave feeling moved, wanting to hug their families—and singing their hearts out.”
Catch The Sound of Music at Curve between Saturday, November 22 and Saturday, January 11.
www.curveonline.co.uk
