PRESS RELEASE
Full casting announced for The Sound of Music at Pitlochry Festival Theatre
Pitlochry Festival Theatre have today announced full casting for the return of Elizabeth Newman’s acclaimed production of Rodgers and Hammerstein’s much-loved musical The Sound of Music from 14 November to 21 December.
Produced at the Theatre in 2024, this year’s production will be directed by Pitlochry Festival Theatre’s Associate Director Sam Hardie (Grease and Beautiful: The Carole King Musical, Pitlochry Festival Theatre) and as previously announced will see the return of CATS Award winning and Olivier award nominated actor Kirsty Findlay, reprising her acclaimed performance as Maria Rainer, and Ali Watt as Captain Georg von Trapp.
The Sound of Music’s cast will also see the return of Kate Milner Evans (Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, Leeds Playhouse No.1 National Tour and Showboat, Crucible Sheffield/New London Theatre) as Mother Abbess; Ellen Lawford (A Midsummer Night’s Dream and A Christmas Carol UK tour, Quantum Theatre) as Baroness Elberfeld/Sister Sophia; Lydia Barton Lovett (A Christmas Carol and Treasure Island, Pleasure Dome Theatre Company) as Sister Margaretta and ensemble and Trudy Ward (Sunshine on Leith and Gypsy, Pitlochry Festival Theatre) as Frau Schmidt.
Joining this year’s cast will be Miiya Alexandra (Rapunzel, Watermill Theatre and Amelie The Musical, West End) as Elsa Schraeder/Sister Berthe; Eden Barrie (Grease, A Toast Fae The Lassies and Nessie, Pitlochry Festival Theatre) as Ensemble and Understudy for Maria Rainer/Liesl/Mother Abbess/Elsa Schraeder; Oliver Nazareth Aston (Piaf, Watermill Theatre ) as Max Detweiler; Ru Hamilton (Tipping The Velvet, Lyric, Hammersmith and Treasure Island, Birmingham Rep) as Admiral von Schreiber/Baron Elberfield; David Joseph Healy (The Glasgow Poisoner, A Play, A Pie and A Pint) as Ensemble and Understudy for Captain von Trapp/Max Detweiler and Rolf Gruber; Lauren MacDonald (No Limits, Holiday on Ice) as Liesl von Trapp; Gary Mitchinson (War Horse, National Theatre) as Franz; Emma Jane Morton (Barnum, Watermill Theatre) as Frau Zeller, Ensemble and Music Captain; Lawrence Smith (Make It Happen, National Theatre of Scotland) as Rolf Gruber and Alex Terry (The Wind in the Willows, Touring production) as Herr Zeller. The cast will play all other roles.
The roles of the von Trapp children will be shared by Rowan Jeffcoat, Anna Rose Loughran, Rebecca Littlejohn, Isla MacGregor, Ross Martin, Joseph Miranda, Theo Miranda, Molly Morris, Tanvi Reddy, Leva Stewart, Hannah Watt and Niamh Wishart.
Director Sam Hardie said:
‘I am thrilled to be working with this brilliant company on the revival of The Sound of Music this year. This beautiful production, packed full of love and hope, moved so many audiences last year and we are so excited to be bringing it back this year with some returning and new company members.’
This final collaboration between Rodgers & Hammerstein has become the world’s most beloved musical. Featuring a trove of cherished songs, including Climb Ev’ry Mountain, My Favorite Things, Do-Re-Mi, Sixteen Going on Seventeen and the title number, The Sound of Music won the hearts of audiences worldwide, earning five Tony Awards and five Oscars. Based on the memoir of Maria Augusta Trapp, this inspirational musical follows a postulant who goes to work as a governess to the seven children of the imperious Captain von Trapp, bringing music and joy to the household. But as the forces of Nazism take hold of Austria, Maria and the entire von Trapp family must make a difficult moral decision.
The Sound of Music runs at Pitlochry Festival Theatre from 14 November to 21 December. Tickets are available from the box office on 01796 484626 or online at pitlochryfestivaltheatre.com
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NOTES TO EDITORS
Press performance: Thursday 27 November at 2pm, Auditorium, Pitlochry Festival Theatre
Pitlochry Festival Theatre presents
THE SOUND OF MUSIC
Music by Richard Rodgers
Lyrics by Oscar Hammerstein II
Book by Howard Lindsay and Russel Crouse
Suggested by The Trapp Family Singers by Maria Augusta Trapp
The Sound of Music is presented by arrangement with Concord Theatricals Ltd on behalf of The Rodgers & Hammerstein Organization concordtheatricals.co.uk
CREATIVE TEAM
Director Elizabeth Newman
Revival Director Sam Hardie
Assistant Director: Rachael Keiller
Musical Director: Richard Reeday
Set Designer: Ruari Murchison
Costume Director: Julie Carlin
Lighting Designer: Chris Davey
Sound Designer: Pippa Murphy
Production Manager: Dino Melia-Findlay
Interim Company Manager: Katy Nicolson
Assistant Director Rachael Keiller supported by a Federation of Scottish Theatre Producer Placement Bursary
Cast: Kirsty Findlay, Ali Watt, Oliver Nazareth Aston, Eden Barrie, Kate Milner Evans, Miiya Alexandra, Ru Hamilton, David Joseph Healy, Ellen Lawford, Lydia Barton Lovett, Lauren MacDonald, Gary Mitchinson, Emma Jane Morton, Lawrence Smith, Alex Terry and Trudy Ward.
Young cast: Rowan Jeffcoat, Anna Rose Loughran, Rebecca Littlejohn, Isla MacGregor, Ross Martin, Joseph Miranda, Theo Miranda, Molly Morris, Tanvi Reddy, Leva Stewart, Hannah Watt and Niamh Wishart.
LISTINGS
Until 21 December 2025
Eve performance at 7pm: November 14,15, 21, 22, 28 & 29; December 5,6, 12, 13, 19 & 20
Mat performance at 2pm: November 19-23 & 26-30; December 3-7, 10-14 & 17-21
Accessible Performances 2025
BSL Interpreted: Sunday 7 December at 2pm
Captioned: Wed 10 December at 2pm
Relaxed and Dementia Friendly: 11 Dec at 2pm
Audio Described: Saturday 13 December at 2pm
Ticket prices: From £15
Box Office and group bookings: 01796 484626 email boxoffice@pitlochryfestivaltheatre.com
Website: pitlochryfestivaltheatre.com
Pitlochry Festival Theatre. A Theatre for Everyone. A Theatre for a Lifetime.
Since 1951, Pitlochry Festival Theatre has been the artistic heart and soul of Highland Perthshire. Attracting over 100,000 visitors every year, we’re more than simply a place to come and see a show – we’re Scotland’s leading producer of musical theatre, a champion of ensemble practice and the country’s only rurally-located, major arts organisation. Our vision is to improve lives by sharing Pitlochry with the world and the world with Pitlochry. Our aim is to create life-enhancing experiences in our Theatre and its glorious eleven-acre campus that encompasses the magical Explorers Garden. In everything we do, we are committed to nurturing an exciting creative and cultural future for Scotland.
Pitlochry Festival Theatre is a charity supported by funding from Creative Scotland and Perth & Kinross Council. It is also grateful to the many individual donors, trusts and foundations who continue to support the Theatre in its vision.
Pitlochry Festival Theatre Address: Pitlochry Festival Theatre, Port Na Craig, Pitlochry, Perthshire PH16 5DR Box Office and group bookings: boxoffice@pitlochryfestivaltheatre.com
Website: pitlochryfestivaltheatre.com
Pitlochry Festival Theatre is a registered Scottish Charity. No SC013055
Pitlochry Festival Theatre gratefully acknowledges support from:
Assistant Director Rachael Keiller supported by a Federation of Scottish Theatre Producer Placement Bursary
