Mother and daughter duo from Kāpiti set to star in Porirua production

Micayla and Jessica Clough from Kāpiti are starring in Porirua Little Theatre's up coming production The Sound of Music.

There have been many challenges in the global theatre industry due to Covid-19 this year, exemplified by the closure of the West End and Broadway.

But as the saying goes, the show must go on.

After postponing their production of the stage play Brassed Off just before New Zealand entered level 4 lockdown, Porirua Little Theatre has bounced back and is excited to be bringing a family favourite musical to audiences in the greater Wellington region.

The theatre is putting on The Sound of Music this October and November, featuring a cast of 36 from ages 6 and up who act, sing and dance in more than 45 roles.

Bringing the story to life are a number of families, among them are mother and daughter Jessica and Micayla Clough from Kāpiti.

Jessica is playing Sister Sophia and Micayla has been cast as Louisa von Trapp.

Both have been involved in countless musicals and productions and have a wealth of experience in singing, dancing and acting.

Jessica has featured in multiple cabarets as well as scripted musicals including Sister Act with Wellington Musical Theatre and Little Shop of Horrors with Coasters Musical Theatre.

She also enjoys working behind the scenes and has directed numerous shows, most recently Xanadu in 2018.

Micayla has performed in school productions and cabarets at Coasters Musical Theatre.

This is their first show together with Porirua Little Theatre.

Based on the true story of the Von Trapp Singers, The Sound of Music is a Rodgers & Hammerstein classic and has become one of the world's most loved musicals.

The show is set in Austria in the 1930s when Hilter had just ordered the Austrian Chancellor to join a Nazi-lead Europe.

At this time Maria, a young nun from Nonnberg Abbey is commissioned to serve as governess to the wealthy Von Trapp family.

She transforms the household of seven motherless children from a place of military discipline to one filled with joy, laughter and music.

However, the clouds of war are gathering and a hard choice must be made about freedom.

Director Rob Ormsby is keen to portray the "story behind the story".

"The Sound of Music is so well-loved that you can't stray too far from expectations, but especially in light of what is happening in the world right now I wanted to focus on the human relationships more.

"This show is about hope – having it, losing it, and regaining it again.

"It's about finding strength through belief or faith, and it's about love and how the love of music can bring a family together.

"By stripping away the traditional big set pieces we are allowing the audience to experience a close-up and engaging story of love and hope."

This year is also the 60th anniversary of the movie.

"I can't think of anything more appropriate for Porirua Little Theatre to be performing. We all need this right now."

The Sound of Music is on at the Purina Pro Plan Wellington Events Centre, 11 Prosser St, Porirua from October 28 to November 14.

Bookings can be made at iticket.