Sister Act

This was a big, bold spectacle as "Sister Act" should be. Right from the top, Niloo-Far Khan stamped her mark on the show as the charismatic Deloris Van Cartier. If any member of the audience was expecting to see a Whoopi Goldberg inspired Deloris, then they were not going to be dissappointed. Niloo-Far's vocals and acting were superbly confident and, I am sure, caused her character to reach the hearts of the audience from the very start. None less so was Dorothy Johnstone as the Mother Superior, instilling grace, charm and simultaneous authority in to the part.  "Here within these walls", for example, offered a polished performance which was a joy to listen to.

Humour was never lost in this production, Sisters Mary Robert, Mary Patrick and Mary Lazerus (Mairi Beaver, Gemma Banks and Pauline Dickson) generating appropriate laughs and giggles with all their appearances. These, together with the three excellent gangsters Joey, TJ and Pablo (Thomas McFarlane, Lewis McKenzie and Andrew Knox) took every opportunity given them, to have the audience in fits of laughter.

Padraic Hamrogue as Curtis Jackson the chief villain of the show showed strong character, ably leading his quartet in all their crooked escapades.

The sizeable chorus sang their hearts out in all the ensemble numbers, and moved well in the crowd scenes

This production was well costumed both in principal and chorus - in particular the nuns, whose costuming built up throughout, culminating in a glitzy Papal Mass and Finale.

Some technical points -  scene changes could have been faster, both in flying and truck movements.  I felt that facial lighting was lacking - especially downstage. The moving lights looked very pretty in the hazed stage, but remember, especially with an audience for an amateur  show, a high percentage come to the show to see their loved ones! Sound balance -  last night this was not as good as one could wish for.  Apart from solo numbers,  others which included the ensemble,  were drowned by the orchestra, making lyrics indecipherable. This was, possibly, not the case in the mix position in the stalls, but, please, always check the mix in the upper levels of the theatre, and not rely on the sound in the mix position.

That said, an enjoyable evening was had by myself and what appeared to be a full house.

Many thanks for inviting me across the River to review your show, and sincere thanks to George Keegan and Russell Lawrie alias Pope Paul VI and Cardinal Krol for their hospitality shown me before and at the interval of the show.

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