IT doesn't matter how many times I see The Sound of Music, it never gets any less wonderful.

It's a classic for a reason - a story set against the backdrop of the Nazi invasion of Austria, with songs that it's impossible to stop singing for hours and characters that you can't help but instantly warm to.

Last night, the UK tour opened its run at Malvern's Festival Theatre and delivered an outstanding rendition of one of the greatest family musicals of all time.

It tells the story of Maria Rainer who has long dreamed of becoming a nun at the Nonnberg Abbey, in Salzburg, but as a postulant she doesn't quite fit the criteria and can often be found singing in the mountains.

Sent by Mother Abbess to be the new governess for Captain Georg von Trapp, Maria's faced with a house run with military efficiency, where singing and dancing is not allowed and where everyone must answer to the sound of a whistle.

But Maria's not known to stick to the rules and she teaches the captain's seven children - Lisel, Friedrich, Louisa, Brigitta, Kurt, Marta and Gretl - to bring music once again into their home.

Though initially unhappy with the new arrangement, the captain soon remembers the joy of music and, eventually, that Maria means more to him than either of them had ever imagined.

Lucy O'Byrne - who was runner-up on BBC talent show The Voice - was stunning as Maria. She delivered outstanding vocals and was the warm, kind and ever-so-slightly feisty Maria made famous by Julie Andrews.

The best moments of the show were when Maria sang with the children - who were all stars in their own right.

There was a real chemistry between them and the songs they sang, Do-Re-Mi, The Lonely Goatherd and So Long Farewell, were as enchanting as always.

Gray O'Brien, famous for playing evil Tony Gordon in Coronation Street, played the handsome Captain von Trapp with ease.

One of my favourite moments in the show is the captain's performance of Edelweiss at the Salzburg music festival.

It's always emotional, capturing the deep sadness he feels as he says his final farewell to Austria before fleeing the country to escape being forced to return to his military duties for the Third Reich. 

The nuns of the abbey must also be mentioned - they provided moments of comedy as well as stunning vocals which is quite a feat considering they're mostly in Latin.

Jan Hartley shines as Mother Abbess and both versions of Climb Every Mountain - first when instructing Maria to return to the von Trapp family and then again as the family finally escape over the mountains to Switzerland - were faultless and left the audience with goosebumps.

The musicians were also an integral part of the show, as well as the smooth set changes and costumes.

The Sound of Music offers a reminder of how music brings people and communities together and how, even in dark times, it can be used as a beacon of hope.

Those are themes that have relevence, and resonance, even today.

Overall, a moving and thouroughly enjoyable performance by a talented cast.

The Sound of Music runs at Malvern Theatre until Saturday, Februry 6.