Theatre Hawke's Bay

Theatre Hawke's Bay A thriving community theatre space in the heart of Heretaunga, Hastings | theatrehb.co.nz

See you at the Trivia Night on Friday - Don't forget to wear a 'SILLY' hat - Prizes, a raffle - a whole lot of fun!!
16/06/2026

See you at the Trivia Night on Friday - Don't forget to wear a 'SILLY' hat - Prizes, a raffle - a whole lot of fun!!

Exciting line up for 2027! Let us know if you want to be involved!
11/06/2026

Exciting line up for 2027!
Let us know if you want to be involved!

The Story Behind the Song:The Lonely GoatherdThis song tells the whimsical story of a goatherd whose yodeling is heard f...
07/06/2026

The Story Behind the Song:

The Lonely Goatherd

This song tells the whimsical story of a goatherd whose yodeling is heard from far off and by passers-by, until he falls in love with a girl who wears a pale-pink coat, with her mother joining in the yodeling. The original 1959 musical has this as the song Maria (played by Mary Martin) sings to comfort the Von Trapp children during a storm.

For the 1965 film adaptation, screenwriter Ernest Lehman repositioned this song to a later part of the film wherein Maria (played by Julie Andrews) and the children sing it as part of a marionette show they perform for their father. The song in place of "The Lonely Goatherd" was "My Favorite Things", which was originally sung earlier in the original musical in the office of the Mother Abbess, as a duet between her and Maria. The duet occurs just prior to Maria's departure to work for Captain von Trapp as governess to his seven children.

While many stage productions retain the original order as used in the 1959 musical, many other productions have also adapted the changes made in the film, shifting "The Lonely Goatherd" to another scene and adding "My Favorite Things" in its place. In the 1981 West End revival Maria and the children sing it at a fair, and in the 1998 Broadway revival it is sung at the Salzburg Festival concert, replacing what would have been an intricate Bach-sounding reprise of "Do Re Mi", showing how exemplary the Von Trapp children were at singing difficult choral compositions.

The lively number reappears later in both the original stage version, the film version and the 2013 NBC special broadcast as a deliberately paced and very Austrian-sounding instrumental, the Ländler, a dance performed by the Captain and Maria. It then serves as the catalyst to a dramatic juncture in the film, as the young novice Maria realizes that she is in love with the Captain.

The famous marionette puppetry sequence in the film was produced and performed by the leading puppeteers of the day. The inspiration for the "Lonely Goatherd" scene came from the famous Salzburger Marionettentheater.

According to The Sound of Music Companion, Hammerstein had come up with several phrases to rhyme with the word goatherd, such as "remote heard", "throat heard", "moat heard", etc. to add enjoyment to the song.

The Lonely Goatherd can be heard in The Sound of Music - onstage at Theatre HB, 9th-25th July with tickets on sale now- iticket.co.nz.

The Story Behind the Song:Do Re MiOne of the more enduring moments from The Sound of Music comes when a free-spirited Ma...
05/06/2026

The Story Behind the Song:

Do Re Mi

One of the more enduring moments from The Sound of Music comes when a free-spirited Maria von Trapp (Julie Andrews) takes a handful of giddy Austrian children out for a singing rampage through Salzburg, Austria.

It’s fair to say that “Do-Re-Mi” is etched into the pop culture mind — you probably knew it before you took your first music class. But the origins of those syllables predate Rodgers and Hammerstein, and aren’t arbitrary sounds.

Assigning a specific syllable to a corresponding note is the foundation of a pedagogical system called solmization. Found in musical cultures all over the world, the form most associated with western European music is known as solfège (or solfeggio, if you’re feeling especially Italian). The name solfège is self-referential — sol and fa are two of the syllables found in that pattern: do-re-me-fa-sol-la-ti.

Come along and sing this favourite in the Sound of Music. July 2026 at Theatre HB. Tickets on sale at iticket.co.nz

The Story Behind the Song:History of the song edelweissThe song "Edelweiss" from "The Sound of Music" is a poignant piec...
03/06/2026

The Story Behind the Song:

History of the song edelweiss
The song "Edelweiss" from "The Sound of Music" is a poignant piece that serves as a farewell to Captain Georg von Trapp's beloved Austria. It was created for the 1959 Broadway production and is named after the edelweiss flower, which symbolizes loyalty and patriotism. The song is performed by the von Trapp family during a concert near the end of Act II and is a statement of Austrian patriotism in the face of N**i Germany's annexation of Austria. It is also a subliminal goodbye to Captain von Trapp's homeland, using the flower as a symbol of his loyalty to Austria. The song was the final lyric written by Oscar Hammerstein II, who died in August 1960.

The song's origins are often confused with its supposed Austrian folk roots, but it was actually composed by Richard Rodgers and Oscar Hammerstein II for the Broadway musical. The song was well-received by audiences, even leading to a misconception that it was an ancient Austrian folk tune. However, it is important to note that the song does not have an original German version; any German renditions are merely translations of the English lyrics.

The song's lyrics mix themes of purity, hope, and longing for home, all through simple but powerful imagery. The edelweiss flower stands for purity and simplicity, mirroring Austria's beauty. The word "edelweiss" blends the German words "edel" (noble) and "weiss" (white), making the flower feel both pure and dignified. The song's emotional core is all about nostalgia and deep affection for Austria, with every verse highlighting the attachment and reverence for home.

The song "Edelweiss" is a special part of the works of Rodgers and Hammerstein, symbolizing the strength and heart of the Austrian people. It became part of "The Sound of Music" during the Boston tryouts and was crafted for Captain Georg von Trapp, expressing love, courage, and purity.

Join us to hear Edelweiss during The Sound of Music , 9-25th July, 2026.
Onstage at Theatre HB. Tickets available now from iticket.co.nz

Introducing Amy Dunn playing the role of Berthe.Amy adores the Sound of Music and really loved being Maria's understudy ...
01/06/2026

Introducing Amy Dunn playing the role of Berthe.

Amy adores the Sound of Music and really loved being Maria's understudy when THB last staged it at Toi Toi (2008). Being a nun seems to be a 'habit' for Amy who was also in Sister Act (NOS 2021). Amy is thrilled to be onstage again with her amazing daughter Elsie (Brigitta), wonderful husband Steve (Herr Zeller) and the rest of the awesome team at THB! Amy has played many different roles onstage, (including a Grandpa caveman), her all time favourite being Eva Peron in Evita (which she shared with Teish!) She also enjoys beekeeping, teaching, playing badminton and table tennis.

The Story Behind the Song:The Surprising Journey of ‘My Favorite Things’ from Stage to Christmas Classic“My Favorite Thi...
01/06/2026

The Story Behind the Song:

The Surprising Journey of ‘My Favorite Things’ from Stage to Christmas Classic
“My Favorite Things,” the iconic song from the 1965 film The Sound of Music, has become an unlikely Christmas classic. Its transformation from a summer tune to a festive favorite is a fascinating story that showcases the power of marketing, cultural resonance, and the enduring appeal of great music.

The Origins of “My Favorite Things”
“My Favorite Things” was originally written for the 1959 Broadway musical The Sound of Music by the legendary duo Richard Rodgers and Oscar Hammerstein II. In the play, the song is performed by Maria, the governess of the von Trapp family, to comfort the children during a thunderstorm. The lyrics, a whimsical listing of Maria’s favorite things, were designed to distract the children from their fears and embrace the joys of life.

The song’s summertime setting is evident in the lush greenery and sundresses worn by the characters in the corresponding scene from the 1965 film adaptation. However, when the movie was released in April of that year, a clever marketing ploy had already planted the seeds for “My Favorite Things” to become a Christmas classic.

The Christmas Connection: A Strategic Marketing Move
In 1964, as the highly anticipated film version of The Sound of Music was in production, the music publishers behind the project grew concerned about its potential box office success. To generate buzz and attract moviegoers, they devised a plan to release a Christmas-themed rendition of “My Favorite Things” as a promotional single.

Music producer Mickey Kapp was approached by a song promoter from Rodgers and Hammerstein’s publishing company with the idea of adding sleigh bells to the track and positioning it as a Christmas song. Initially skeptical, Kapp eventually agreed, and singer Jack Jones recorded a jazzy, jingle bell-infused version for his 1964 Christmas album.

While Jones’ rendition didn’t become a major hit, it planted the idea that “My Favorite Things” could be reimagined as a holiday tune. The song’s inclusion on various Christmas albums that followed, including those by the Supremes, Andy Williams, and Barbra Streisand, further cemented its association with the festive season.

Come along and hear this fabulous song in the Theatre HB. Book now at iticket.co.nz.
Show dates: 9th- 25th July, 2026. Onstage at Theatre HB.

The Sound of Music stage musical premiered on Broadway in 1959. It was the final collaboration between legendary creator...
27/05/2026

The Sound of Music stage musical premiered on Broadway in 1959. It was the final collaboration between legendary creators Richard Rodgers and Oscar Hammerstein II.
Initially envisioned as a play with just a few traditional Austrian folk songs, Rodgers and Hammerstein were brought in and ultimately wrote an entirely new, iconic score.

The musical was developed from Maria von Trapp’s 1949 memoir, The Story of the Trapp Family Singers. Producers Leland Hayward and Richard Halliday initially wanted to use existing Austrian folk music and asked Rodgers and Hammerstein to write just one new song for the production.

The composers felt their style wouldn't properly blend with folk music, so they offered to write a completely new score—on the condition that the producers would wait for them to finish their work on Flower Drum Song. The producers agreed to wait.

The Broadway Premiere-The show officially opened at the Lunt-Fontanne Theatre in New York City on November 16, 1959.
The Cast: Broadway star Mary Martin played Maria, and Theodore Bikel starred as Captain von Trapp.The Success: The Broadway production was a massive commercial and critical triumph, running for 1,443 performances before closing on June 15, 1963.
Awards: It won five Tony Awards, including Best Musical and Best Leading Actress for Mary Martin.

London's West End-Following its success in the United States, the show transferred to London’s Palace Theatre in May 1961, starring Jean Bayless. It played for over two years and long held the record as the longest-running American musical in London.

Book your tickets to see this fabulous show on iticket.co.nz

Introducing Jenny Morley playing Sister Sophia in the upcoming production of The Sound of Music at theatre HB. "I’ve spe...
24/05/2026

Introducing Jenny Morley playing Sister Sophia in the upcoming production of The Sound of Music at theatre HB.
"I’ve spent the last few years supporting THB from front of house to backstage, so I’m thrilled to be back onstage singing. This show has been a beloved favourite in my family since my mum’s time, and both my kids insisted I should be part of it — so I am, and I couldn’t be happier."

Introducing Molly Roche playing Sister Margaretta.Molly has enjoyed performing in many musicals, including her two lates...
21/05/2026

Introducing Molly Roche playing Sister Margaretta.
Molly has enjoyed performing in many musicals, including her two latest productions, Jersey Boys and Fiddler on the Roof. She’s delighted to be stepping onto the Theatre Hawke’s Bay stage for the first time as Sister Margaretta. Her love of performing drives her eagerness to help share the timeless story of the von Trapp family.

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