Come January, when Christmas is over and New Year malaise has set in, OXOPS will be there to revive our spirits with a rousing adaption of The Sound Of Music.
And in the starring role is Emily Booth who plays Maria, as encapsulated by Julie Andrews in the iconic film, returning after a 19 year absence from the OXOPS stage.
‘come and see it. It’s an amazing show with a great cast and OXOPS have done an incredible job’
Having moved back to Oxfordshire with her family last year she will be leading the Von Trapps at the New Theatre Oxford, battling against the Nazis and singing some of the most well known songs of all time.
With timeless classics like My Favorite Things, Do-Re-Mi, Climb Ev’ry Mountain and Edelweiss, a huge ensemble cast, an Alpine set, romance, humour and an enemy to fear, Oxford looks set for a huge musical boost.
If you’re one of the few who hasn’t seen The Sound Of Music on stage or screen, the story finds Maria taking on the job of governess to the von Trapp family, helping the children get over the death of their mother by teaching them to sing, dance and explore the mountains, until they are forced to flee from the Nazis.
“It’s such a fascinating backdrop for a story because there is tension, friction and so much at stake. Who will go with the flow or make a stand, which is as relevant now as it was then.
‘our director doesn’t want us to be carbon copies of the characters but to bring a bit of ourselves to the role, not to be afraid to put our own spin on it’
So a big part then? “I know, talk about jumping in at the deep end,” Emily laughs, “It’s huge. And not only has The Sound Of Music got lots of amazing songs, but a lot of dialogue too, so learning all those lines has been a challenge. It’s a huge role but it been good to have something so exciting to focus on after having my daughter.
Renowned for bringing dynamic and heartfelt theatre to the community, Oxford Operatic Society, made up by amateurs many with professional experience, is pushing the boundaries by staging Rodgers & Hammerstein’s classic musical at the New Theatre Oxford, but with a stellar cast, headed up by Emily, they can’t wait to get going.
“I have such good memories of my time with OXOPS. It’s such a great, ambitious and professional company and I have so many happy memories and friends from before. Everyone there is so friendly so I’m delighted to be back,” Emily says.
After extensive auditioning process, she landed the pivotal part of Maria, but having performed in the TV series How Do You Solve a Problem like Maria is front of Andrew Lloyd Webber, is very au fait with the musical.
‘THE SOUND OF MUSIC is based on a true story which is pretty amazing’
“Yes Maria is an intimidating part, and everything you know and love from the film or stage is in there, but our director Rachel Garnet doesn’t want us to be carbon copies of the characters but to bring a bit of ourselves to the role, not to be afraid to put our own spin on it, and that’s been really helpful,” Emily explains.
“But I love that in the end it’s Maria who’s the powerhouse, and the driving force. It’s because of her that the family escapes. She is so important to the whole narrative. So even though she starts off as a lowly governess that Captain Georg von Trapp doesn’t know what to do with, she becomes the centre of the family.
“Maria is pivotal because the audience needs to go with her on her personal journey, to become emotionally involved. Plus Maria is great fun. She’s braver than me and she’s quite cheeky. She’s not afraid to cause a bit of a stir and I like that about her. She always has a glint in her eye.”
And considering that last time Emily graced the New Theatre Oxford stage with OXOPS she was playing another Maria in West Side Story, it seems like fate. Having studied musical theatre at Guildford and been in theatre for 10 years, before having her daughter, she is ready for a return.
‘Maria is great fun. She’s brave, cheeky and She’s not afraid to cause a bit of a stir. I like that about her. She always has a glint in her eye’
“I was 17 when I did West Side Story, but this is a more mature role and I can bring that extra bit of life experience to my arsenal and bring it to the role,” Emily says.
“The Sound Of Music has got so much heart. It’s about good people standing up for what they believe is right, even when it puts them in danger. But it’s also so much fun and the music is amazing, with the most beautiful score. Everyone knows the songs, even if they don’t think they do.
“But it’s also a love story, albeit under difficult circumstances, and based on a true story which is pretty amazing. So come and see it. It’s an amazing show with a great cast and OXOPS have done an incredible job.
“So come for a top night out at the theatre because The Sound Of Music is one of the best musicals ever. It’s got a bit of everything – comedy, suspense, love, and the children are adorable.
I’t’s a big cast, the sound is incredible and the ensemble numbers really raise the roof because everyone in the show has an incredible voice’
“We want to bring as much joy to Oxford as possible this January because while it’s hugely enjoyable to put on a show, you need bums on seats. So we hope The Sound Of Music will pique people’s interest because OXOPS is a class act and very ambitious with their productions. It’s a big cast, the sound is incredible and the ensemble numbers really raise the roof because everyone in the show has an incredible voice,” Emily adds
And the yodelling? “You’ll have to come to the show and see for yourself.”
OXOPS Presents Rodgers & Hammerstein’s The Sound of Music from Jan 13–18 2026 at New Theatre, Oxford. Book here https://bit.ly/3KNXoFM
