It’s probably one of the best known films in the world.

It’s been seen, re-seen, revered, venerated, sent-up, spoofed, hummed, whistled and fancy dressed almost as much as Singin’ In The Rain, Casablanca or Rocky Horror.

It’s part of our popular culture, it’s always screened at Christmas and has boosted Austria’s tourism coffers by a good many million Euros.

But you know what? It’s easy to see why.

The Sound of Music really is an extraordinary experience.

Indeed, no matter how hard you try to stay distant, aloof and indifferent, it somehow never fails to leave a lump in your throat (like seeing Mickey at Disneyland or re-reading an Enid Blyton adventure, it tugs on heart strings you knew you had but tried desperately hard to grow out of).

Well, for what’s it worth, I’m a believer. Again.

Yup, those darn kids and their ‘So long, farewell, auf Wiedersehen, good night’ had me wound round their little fingers.

And as for the nuns, who can’t cheer a Mother Abbess?

Maria – as played by tv discovery Connie Fisher – is gawky, geeky and perfectly lovable, the Captain – ex-Robin Hood Michael Praed – is stern, sincere and infinitely better than Christopher Plummer in the classic movie (nothing camp about this naval commander), while Baroness Schraeder (the brilliant Jacinta Mulcahy) is... yeah, still a little Miss Nazi.

As for the production itself, tick ‘sumptuous’, ‘flawless’ and ‘occasionally breathtaking’.

Indeed, watch out for these two brilliantly realised scenes – the start of the grand ball and the shift from the Von Trapp home to the Nazi-poisoned Salzburg Music Festival. Stunning.

The melodies, the lyrics, of course are all there, plus a few new ones too never used in the film, lending the whole production an unexpected freshness.

But best of all, and on a personal level, I just loved its spirit.

Yes it’s simplistic, yes it’s Mills and Boon, and yes it’s sweet and saccharine, but who cares? It’s delicious, d’lightful and as good for you as a midnight feast of cream cakes and chocolate.

Perfect for Christmas.

l The Sound of Music at the New Theatre runs until Sunday, January 2, at the New Theatre in George Street, Oxford. For more details, call 0844 847 1585.