Jayden gets ‘Sound of Music’ role
Pleasant Point singer Jayden Walker has been cast to play one of the von Trapp siblings in the upcoming nationwide tour of the Sound of Music.
The blonde 14-year-old has been cast as the eldest son, Frederick, in the much-loved musical.
‘‘I am stoked. I was speechless for two minutes after I found out I got the part,’’ he said.
After being informed of his successful audition, ahead of hun- dreds of other hopefuls, last Thursday - he was sworn to secrecy until Tuesday.
Walker returned from a trip to Europe on May 13, during which he went on a tour of film locations used in the 1965 film, which starred Julie Andrews as Maria, the children’s governess.
‘‘I’ve always liked the music,’’ he said.
The musical, which originally premiered on Broadway in 1959, won eight Tony awards. Set during World War II, Maria introduces music to the family of seven chil- dren she looks after.
Auditions in Christchurch were held exactly a week after Jayden returned home, a day before his 14th birthday.
As well as singing popular songs such as Edelweiss, Do-Re-Mi, and High on the Hill with the other child actors, Walker will also perform solos, as well as acting and dancing.
The New Zealand version of the revered Richard Rogers and Oscar Hammerstein musical is being produced by Ben McDonald and directed by well-known Kiwi actress Geraldine Brophy.
Two teams of actors are used to play the von Trapp children, so they can alternate over the busy 34-performance season.
Rehearsals start on September 2 near Kaiapoi. The tour will visit 23 locations, and runs from September 29 until October 29.
Walker said he was particularly looking forward to performing in the Timaru show on October 20.
‘‘It will be something really special ... there have been so many people in Timaru who have supported me.’’