Nuncrackers - The Nunsense Christmas Musical

The Fullarton Theatre Company has over the last few years performed the series of the Nunsense Musicals. This year's offering is the Nuncrackers Christmas Musical. I have seen most of the series and feel that the original was and still is the best of them. This production had a quasi pantomime feel to it rather than a straight musical comedy. The story line is the Nuns are recording and broadcasting a Christmas special to help raise funds for the Mount St Helens convent and school.

In saying that, this excellent production was very well performed by everyone on stage. Each member of the cast had their own personae which all complemented each other so that we had a feast of humour and a bit of pathos thrown in.

Reverend Mother, Sister Mary Regina was superbly played by Kay Potts. She is a consummate actress who owns the stage when she is on, even to the extent when she dragged on the prompt at one time when words went a bit array. Her comic timing is superb.

Her second in command Sister Hubert (Liz Black) was also excellent, with a more dry sense of humour for this part she complemented Reverend Mother wonderfully. Following on from her we had Sister Robert Anne who was played by Ann Brown.She had a super part to play and as with all the other characters her performance was very good. She has a lovely voice and her signing along with everyone else was excellent.  However, her portrayal of the streetwise New Yorker didn't quite resonate with me, she was too nice! 

I liked Sister Amnesia, the one time Country Star, who was excellently played by Sarah McKnight. She has a bubbly personality which came over the first time she steps on stage and her role in keeping the "chorus" in order was well done too. She has the ability to have a conversation with the audience that was seamless and appeared to be very ad lib.

Colin Wilson, who is also a good actor and singer, played the part of Father Virgil. Drafted in to this Christmas extravaganza because of his experience in radio recording he ws there to keep the nuns right.

The quirky clever chorus was very good. Whilst small in numbers (Gavin Millar, Eden Brown, Rebecca Potts), and Aidan Whan as Stage Manager all complemented the main characters, and they sung there songs very well. The harmonies were very good and I liked the choreography, it was simple  yet effective.

The pace of this musical was good with slick scene changes and the lighting and sound was very well done.

I would like to thank everyone at The Fullarton from the Front of House team for their welcome through the theatre to the back stage staff with the performers in the middle for making my night so very good. Well done and I look forward to seeing your next production.

 

 

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