Sister Act

I’ve been lucky enough to see this show on a number of occasions and have always found it to be a feel-good show.  I’ve seen it performed in a range of sizes of theatres and, for me, it’s worked in all of them including here at the society’s intimate Spotlight Theatre.

As was acknowledged in the programme this production was a challenge for a relatively small cast who were working with a new Director.  Obviously every show depends very much on quality of the lead performers with, in this case, the role of Deloris Van Cartier being entrusted to a young performer in probably the biggest thing she has ever done.  Kerri Arundel has a powerful voice and presence but perhaps lacked a bit of the worldliness the character benefits from.  Nevertheless she gave a quality performance, showing a good rapport with the other performers, and will hopefully go on and grow with the society.

I liked Cameron Reen as Eddie from the Philadelphia Police Department.  He had an easy style clearly showing how much he cared for Deloris, particularly in his reprise of ‘Fabulous Baby’ and I also enjoyed ‘I Could Be That Guy’.

Rick Windley was very good as night club owner Curtis Jackson and he was very ably supported by three fellow, fairly experienced, gangsters Joey (Richard Mainprize), Pablo (Peter Hare) and TJ (Kenneth Davison).  The filmed chase sequence shown on the theatre’s excellent video wall at the back of the stage was well done.

Pauline Pope, as Mother Superior of the convent where Deloris goes into hiding, showed her comic skills and got the required laughs.  The Nuns often steal this show and, whilst they didn’t have it all their own way here, the small chorus of Ladies gave it their all with Victoria Mitchell as Mary Patrick and Maggie Davies playing Mary Lazarus leading the way.  To my mind the best chorus piece in the show is ‘Take Me To Heaven’ but I did feel that this number and ‘Spread the Love Around’ were too static.  The diction, one of my pet subjects, was great though!

Graham Beeston played an animated Monsignor O’Hara very enjoyably with every word being heard.  Postulant Mary Robert was performed by Beth Sanderson.  I’ve noticed her promise previously but I’d like to have seen her give more meaning to her lyrics as in ‘The Life I Never Led’, another super song.

Good use was made of the doors erected at the sides of stage and the rear screen which reduces the need for too much scenery and furniture.  Lighting was good as were the costumes.  The MD worked hard giving good accompaniment on keyboard and adding to the vocals.

The production attracted full houses for each of the six performances and the cast and society as a whole will have been pleased with that deserved support.

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