Nunsense

Nunsense is a sequel to Sister Act and is not as spectacular but, in my opinion, funnier. The storyline still centres round the convent of the Little Sisters of Hoboken which has now been decimated, losing the vast majority of its sisters to food poisoning. Five of the remaining sisters stage a concert to raise funds to bury four of their former colleagues who are being kept in the freezer until funds can be raised to pay for their burial.  Written in 1985 I felt some of the references in the ‘plot’ could have been updated.  

The seven strong cast did a grand job with this show.  The humour comes from the show's take on nunnery--the idea that nuns are just ordinary people and aren't always as flawless as we might expect them to be. 

With excellent support from Lisa Checkley (Sister Mary Wilhelm) and Kieran Francis (Sister Mary Julia/Father Virgil), the five principal Sisters danced and sang their way through a variety of musical numbers and dance routines.  Each had her “moment in the spotlight” and all made more than the most of theirs, each giving excellent and enthusiastic performances.

Mandy Morrish lead this first-rate team from the front with a great portrayal of Sister Mary Regina, the Mother Superior.  This actress certainly knows how to interact with an audience. She has good comic timing and a great voice.  Chelsea Booth also has a lovely voice, her Sister Mary Amnesia was super.  Working the audience is a difficult thing but her bubbly character had the audience happily joining in her silly quiz and accepting even sillier prizes.  Chelsea also had a great number with the “Mother Superior” Puppet made especially by the award-winning Sheila Goodall.  Becky Green was highly amusing as Sister Mary Hubert, another actress with good comic timing and she handled some very complex and fast-paced lyrics well. Lacey Keifer as Sister Mary Robert gave an outstanding performance. She showed great stage presence coupled with a beautiful voice.  Then we had Megan Bidecant as Sister Mary Leo the young novice who was a frustrated ballet dancer.  This was a first rate performance from this young actress. The dying nun dance was a hoot. 

Apart from the solo efforts of the Sisters there was some terrific harmonising particularly "Just a Coupl'a Sisters” (Mandy & Becky) and “The Drive In” (Chelsea, Lacey & Megan) and some great ensemble numbers. The whole cast did full justice to the musical direction of Mark A J Checkley.

I thought it was really nice of Father Mark, Brother Rogers and Brother Fiske to come along to play the music so well and of the other Sisters from the convent to come along to help out front of house.  Such a clever idea to create a running theme.  

The limited facilities in Littleport Village Hall present challenges for the technical team but they made the most of what they had and there was some excellent follow-spot work. 

Director Karen Booth can be very proud of her cast who, together with their audience, clearly enjoyed themselves hugely.  Congratulations to all involved. Nunsense may have been nutty nonsense but it was great fun.

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