Sister Act

Sister Act is based on the popular 1992 film of the same name with music by Alan Menken, lyrics by Glenn Slater, book by Bill and Cheri Steinkellner, and additional book material by Douglas Carter Beane. Over recent years the show has become a box office success for amateur groups up and down the country. Seeing the production performed by the young people in the Young Generation, it is not difficult to see why.

Deloris Van Cartier attempts, unsuccessfully, to gain employment as a singer at a nightclub owned by her boyfriend Curtis. Following her audition, she witnesses the murder by Curtis of one of his gangsters. Needing protection, she goes to the police station where she finds her old school friend Lt Eddie Souther in charge. He decides to place her under police protection in the most unlikely place The Holy Order of the Little Sisters of Our Mother of Perpetual Faith. The story follows her needs to fit in and how she uses her singing skills to teach her fellow nuns to hold a tune.

It is always encouraging when you go to the theatre to see a nearly full house, there is nothing worse than rehearsing a show for 3 or 4 months and putting in a lot of hard work only for it to be seen by a handful of people. I am sure the company appreciated the audience on the evening, their apparent enjoyment and the standing ovation at the end.

I was welcomed in the theatre by some of the nuns which was a lovely touch. The stage was set was cleverly constructed. The scenery which was set up as a 1970’s cocktail bar with glittery curtains, when these were drawn to one side by members of the cast, we were greeted by an impressive convent with painted stone walls and arches. Appropriate seating was added to the bar with a half-moon seating area on stage left which when turned was a pulpit. The use of trucks for the bar and Eddie’s bedroom was effective. A projected image on a roundel ensured we knew if we were in a Cocktail bar. These images changed throughout the show and I particularly liked the stained-glass window. The police office was set up with a table, chair and phone stage right. The lighting plot was effective although there were times when the forestage was a little dark.

The six-piece live band were set up on a mezzanine level upstage and enhanced the show with their balanced performance. Julia Knight-Bennett had obviously spent time teaching the harmonies and the vocal effect was impressive. This was enriched by a great quality sound system. The voices were well balanced and at an appropriate volume

The dances were well rehearsed. The choreographer had obviously taken time  researching movement from the 1970’s, the movement by the girls in the club was just right. I also enjoyed the big chorus numbers ‘Take Me To Heaven’ and ‘Raise Your Voice’. It is deceptively hard to get a large cast around using all the stage but everyone knew where they were expected to be, an excellent result. Their joint delivery of their musical number ‘Lady In The Long Black Dress’ was a fantastic choreographed routine and the audience loved it.

Vron Spear and Maggie Taylor pulled off a fantastic set of costumes. As a wardrobe mistress of many years I know the hours that are spent cutting out new outfits and sourcing others. The male period cast members and religious costumes were just right and the addition of a police badge saved the need to find a police uniform. Eddie’s quick change worked well and caused much hilarity on the evening I attended when his trousers landed on the mirror ball and were successfully removed by a vigilant stage crew. The nun’s habits were superb and although I understand the cost of items, I would have liked to see all the nuns with rope belts and rosaries or maybe just Mother Superior, rather than a few. The white tabards at the end were a good addition but it might have been an idea to make the silver decorations on the front larger as it disappeared under the stage lighting.  I did feel that Deloris’s opening dress could have benefited with a little additional material. The dance costumes and period outfits were just right for the 1970’s.

The role of Deloris was played brilliantly by Sarah England, she was believable throughout and both acted and sang well. She pitched all her musical numbers just right and her interaction with the other cast members was superb. I especially enjoyed the quiet interaction between her and Eddie and the reprise of ‘Fabulous Baby’ in Act two, with the nuns singing their own song in the background. She won over the hearts of the nuns who embraced her skills at the convent making the most of the comic moments.

Mother Superior was played with great effect by Emily Weir. The characterisation throughout the whole show was inspired. Her expressions demonstrated her love, pride, power and exasperation clearly. The   character has some great one liners, and these were played to the full without overacting them. Her splendid delivery of ‘Here Within These Walls’ and ‘I Haven’t Got a Prayer’ was appreciated by the audience.  

Caya Murphy played Sister Mary Robert the postulant with sensitivity. She displayed the gradual unfolding confidence Deloris gave her and sang ‘The Life I Never Led’ with delightful vocals.

Sister Mary Patrick’s joie de vivre was played with joy by Izzy MacPherson. With her upbeat attitude, infectious smile, zest for life and tuneful singing voice she carried the character throughout the show.

Tamsin Ford’s casting of Sister Mary Lazarus was an outstanding choice. Her interpretation of the grumpy, gravel voiced choir mistress was brilliant. Every time she appeared, she lit the stage up and when she came on with her gold sequinned cap and chain you could hear the audience’s expectations rise. Many congratulations.

Minnie Mackay was good as the deaf pianist as Sister Mary Martin-of-Tours whose character was in a world of her own most of the time but with some special moments of clarity and Daisy Booker brought the character of the elderly Sister Mary Theresa to life. The chorus of fellow nuns/dancers complemented the named characters moving and singing with confidence, pathos and joy. It was lovely to see so many smiling faces on stage.

Being a female dominated show, it would be easy to forget the male characters and their input. As with many younger groups the presence of males is usually at a premium and females have to step into the male roles. It was good to see that only one role had to be substituted in this performance.

There was a great partnership between Monsignor O’Hara played by Stanley Hesser and Mother Superior. He obviously enjoyed his part and had developed his character well; his accent was accurate throughout. He sang and danced with confidence.

Playing the leader of the gangsters was Jack Irving as Curtis the night club owner. He gave a strong depiction of the character; he maintained his villainess throughout the performance and gave an excellent delivery of his musical number ‘When I find My Baby’ with his gang of hoodlums. Ben Kitts gave a fantastic performance and TJ Curtis’s nephew. He had good stage presence, a twinkle in his eye and good comic timing. Emily Rowe as Joey was another fine performance, she had great stage presence and interacted well with the other gangsters, she sang and moved with confidence.  Silas Fuller took on the part of Pablo, this younger actor gave a good performance as the Spanish speaking gangster, his character developed as the evening progressed, he sang and moved well but his speaking voice was a little quiet. The last member of the gang was Ernie played by Ollie Gould who unfortunately was killed in the first act by Cutis whilst a cameo role he delivered a solid performance.

And finally, the role of Lt Eddie Souther better known as ‘Sweaty Eddie’ this was convincingly played by Alex Ould he commanded the stage and had excellent interaction with Deloris. He moved well and his performance of ‘I Could Be That Guy’ with the down and outs was delivered with feeling.

This was a quality fast moving show brilliantly directed by Ashley Spear who was able to bring forth the talents of her young performers. It was thoroughly enjoyed by an appreciative audience. Thank you for an enjoyable evening.

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