Sister Act

This show is an absolute dream for any society to perform with its excellent musical score and story line, it follows the musical adaptation of the 1992 Whoopi Goldberg film of the same name “Sister Act”. It tells the story of Deloris Van Cartier an aspiring disco diva who witnesses her gangster boyfriend, Curtis commit a murder and as a consequence she is put under police protection in a convent to keep her safe, at first this new lifestyle is not what Deloris expected but soon finds that after been asked to work with the choir it brings her friendship and a sisterhood that she had never known before. This show is certainly an audience pleaser therefore I was so pleased when I heard that Ferryhill Stage Society had chosen this show for their 2017 production.

As always a big thank you to the front of house staff who always makes the visiting Noda Representatives feel most welcome, this year Ferryhill Stage Society has appointed a new production team, Enid Gale as Stage Director delivered a good interpretation of the script and Dave Jasper who took over the baton as Musical Director both did a fantastic job as did the band who delivered the musical score perfectly, complementing and never overshadowing the vocals. The scenery was simple yet adequate and the costumes were vibrant and looked fantastic adding to the overall production, the only criticism I had on the evening I attended there was an issue with the sound which resulted in some difficulty in hearing those on stage. .

This show heavily depends on having a strong lead, and Robyn McGough gave a good interpretation of Deloris Van Cartier with her powerful vocals, good stage presence and comic timing, she ensured that she caught both the energy and sensitivity of the character; musically my favourite song was “Sister Act” beautifully sang.  Deloris’s backing singers were confidently played by Robyn Collins as Tina and Darcy Golightly played Michelle they opened the show with two great musical numbers, “Take Me To Heaven” and “Fabulous Baby” great opening and the costumes did look fabulous.  An extremely confident performance from Isobel Wheatley as the idealistic Mother Superior, I loved Isobel’s interpretation of the musical number “Here Within These Walls” and “I Haven’t Got A Prayer”.

There was a great partnership between Mother Superior and Monsignor O’Hara played by Michael Coulson, who delivered his character fantastically I loved the Irish accent. The large ensemble of Nuns put their heart and souls into their performances, especially those in a principal roles Elsie McGowen delivered an enthusiastic Sister Mary Patrick, Rosemary Jones as Sister Mary Lazurus who treated us to her rapping skills, Vicki Baines as Sister Mary Roberts who truly captured the naivety and sweetness of the character and I loved her musical number “The Life I Never Led”, Enid Gale in the forgetful Sister Mary Martin of Tours and Darcy Golightly as Sister Mary Theresa, alongside a fantastic chorus of Nuns played by Pat Atkinson, Robyn Collins, Margaret Gargett, Maureen Golightly, Joan Harker, Jean Matthews, Dawn Milner, Jill Reese, Hannah Reese, Ann Rutherford, Sheila Spooner, and Jean Weeks  they brought this show to life and delivered some beautiful and powerful musical numbers including “Take me to Heaven”, It’s Good To be A Nun”, “Raise Your Voice”, “Bless Our Show” and my favourite “Raise Your Voice” just to mention a few”  they certainly lit up the stage and gave their all.

Playing the gangster boyfriend and night club owner, Curtis was Paul Maddison, he delivered this villain character well and I enjoyed how he interacted with his three henchmen, Steven Hill as TJ, Guy Lowes as Joey and Geoff Clifford Brown as Pablo, musically I enjoyed “When I Find My Baby” but the most entertaining musical number was “Lady in the Long Black Dress” delivered by the three gangsters their rendition of this number was well delivered and received by the audience. Joe Makepeace was superbly cast as Officer Eddie Southern, great stage presence and delivered his musical number “I Could Be That Guy” well.  Congratulation to those in cameo role Ryan Evans as Ernie, Malcolm Frank, David Stothard, Robert Leighas Cops and Jill Reese as the waitress. I would also like to mention the young members of F.S.S. Chance drama group who supported the cast, Olivia Hall, Summer Laverick, Ellie Short, Louise Stoddard, Katie Hall and Abbie Collins.

The performances from both principals and ensemble were well delivered and energetic and it was clear from the face that everyone on stage had a fantastic time and that is what amateur theatre is all about. Well done to everyone at Ferryhill Stage Society for Raising your Voice. Well Done

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