In 2005, my sister and I travelled to Rome and Vatican City and I remember us talking about how many nuns we were seeing. It should hardly be surprising that there were nuns about, but the sheer number of nuns definitely got our attention! Since our return, I don’t think I have seen many, or in fact, any nuns! Although, it has been 10 years, so I am sure I have seen one or two… but I digress.

Last Saturday, at Hamer Hall in Melbourne, they came in droves. Hundreds of nuns, and whilst they many not have been as authentic as those in Italy and Vatican City, they were still eye catching! Theatre attendees of all ages were dressed in costumes ranging from a Bishop to Baronesses, Nuns to lonely goatherds, Von Trapp children to brown paper packages tied up with string and anyone else you would expect as everyone excitedly entered Hamer Hall to celebrate the 50th Anniversary of The Sound of Music with A-Sing-A-Long-A.

Chelsea Plumley was a witty host whose humour and impressive vocal range set the tone for the show. For all those that had dressed up, this was their moment to shine as one by one everyone made their way on stage. After having a chat to Chelsea, they were judged by the “clap-o-meter” and the lucky ones won some prizes.

Chelsea encouraged us to follow the words and sing along and taught us how to use our goody bag prop packs that were filled with items to hold up or things to do during particular parts of the movie. She even taught us some dance moves for songs such as Do Re Mi.

In our bags we had cards for “How do you solve a problem like Maria?”, edelweiss for “Edelweiss”, a piece of curtain for “My favourite things”, invitations to wave at the ball and a party popper to let off at exactly the moment the Captain and Maria’s lips met.

Fortunately for Alegría, her Grannyma gave her her popper so she would have two to pop. Unfortuately for Alegría, she gave the second popper to me to hold. She had a little trouble popping hers, so as Grannyma was helping her, I got carried away in the moment and popped both mine and Alegría’s second one. Sorry baby girl!

There is no escaping the fact that the Sound of Music is a long film. 174 minutes. Just shy of 3 hours. Coupled with the hour of entertainment at the beginning of the show, it makes for a 4 hour experience. Alegría (who’s 5) made it, just. She loved the beginning, but got restless in the last hour (when they are trying to escape the Nazi’s – cue lots of questions!). Thank goodness we left Isaac at home, he would have been a nightmare!

I really enjoyed it. I could sing loud and proud and there is no denying that this type of event is right up my alley! More than just a film screening – I laughed, I discovered new things about the film (even though I have seen it countless times) and enjoyed the experience with my fellow Austrians, I mean, Australians!

Now, if you’ll excuse me… I have to go make play clothes out of the curtains for the children.

MORE INFORMATION

www.singalonga.net      www.facebook.com.singalonga.australasia   http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=enRKyAiL8RA  

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