Drinking Habits

We were warmly welcomed by the front of house team before speaking with the director, who showed us to our seats and kindly took our interval drinks order. The play was new to me and a glance at the characterisations in the programme told me we could be in for a quite hilarious afternoon. And I was not wrong!

The performing space, at audience level, was that of a room in the tiny convent of the Sisters of Perpetual Sewing. A lovely feature was the ‘stained glass window’ which had been backlit for maximum effect. The room was sparsely furnished as would be expected of a convent.  The sisters’ sewing table was suitably dressed and set centre stage and a large storage box could be seen stage right. There were a number of doors leading off this room which would be used to great effect as the play progressed.

Along with making and mending religious garments, the sisters are making grape juice.  When this fails to bring in sufficient money to keep the doors of the convent open, they turn to making wine, which proves to be profitable. This though is done without the knowledge of Mother Superior, who is not only opposed to alcohol but refuses to even mention it by name. 

Good performances from Becky Vincent as the scheming Sister Augusta and Chrissie Waites as the constantly nervous and fidgety Sister Philomena.  These two are trying to keep their clandestine goings on from Mother Superior, well played by Hazel Fricker, guiding her nuns along, as she puts it, the right spiritual path.

As the action gets under way we are introduced to George the gardener, played by Lee Barnes and helping the nuns by sourcing bottles for their ‘illicit’ venture. The arrival of Sister Mary Catherine played by Melanie Gunetilleke and who had been sent to further her studies, arises suspicion.  Could she be the spy from Rome the sisters are expecting?  Father Chenille. local priest and one time magician, played by Adam Thompson, declares he has nothing to hide.  But this being farce, all is not what it may seem.  It would appear he still has a few tricks up his sleeve, or should that be bunches of flowers?

Terrific performances by Jack Downey and Eve-Marie Florence Downey as reporters Paul and Sally, sent to track down the source of an award winning wine.  He has an aversion to nuns and can’t wait to get out, while she is a hard hitting reporter who stops at nothing to get her story.  This being a riotous farce they find themselves in some crazy situations before revealing their true identities.

Lighting and sound were mainly good.  There was a lighting blip when the lights came up ahead of time at the very start. The loud sound of breaking glass unfortunately came in too early and did not coincide with the box full of wine bottles being dropped., which was a shame. On the whole though the tech team did a good job.

This was a well-directed production with good performances all round. Excellent use was made of the doors on set, being opened and closed right on cue.  They also stood firm throughout all the activity, all credit to the set builders. The plot was absolutely crazy.  It was full of twists and turns, as well as mistaken, secret and unexpected identities, which kept the audience laughing throughout the afternoon.  And the convent of course stayed open, thanks to the sisters award winning wine.

Very well done to all concerned and we are still wondering how Jack managed to get himself in and out of that box!

Thank you for inviting me and for your hospitality.

 

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