Sister Act

It took two years to get this production to the stage but it was worth waiting for. The joy of the cast in being back was infectious and the audience loved every minute of it. The structure of the show means that it is a slow starter whilst the main characters are introduced. It is important during this time that the performers establish themselves. They did this very successfully. Chloe Robinson (Deloris van Cartier) told about her frustrations and aspirations in the songs Take me to Heaven and Fabulous, Baby! And delivered them with conviction. She was well supported in these numbers by Emma Wallage (Michelle) and Lucy Pountain (Tina). The role of Mother Superior was in the very capable hands of Helen Bodley and she sang and acted the part with conviction. A lot of the physical humour is entrusted to Ashley Brown (Curtis Jackson) and his ‘henchmen’ Michael Mannion (TJ), Antony Britt (Joey) and Matthew Britt (Pablo). Their ineptitude, as gangsters, was superbly illustrated by TJ, Joey and Pablo in the routines and singing of When I Find my Baby and Lady in the Long Black Dress. Ashley also showed a richness of voice both in speaking and singing. I must compliment Beth Flint (Sister Mary Robert) as she developed her character from ‘shrinking violet’ to leading light in some of the big chorus numbers and her delivery of The Life I Never Led. Richard Beckett was excellent in the role of Eddie Souther. His character tugs at the heartstrings when the audience realise that he has feelings for Doloris. He has a strong singing voice and he showed this off in I Could be That Guy. There were some amusing cameo parts within the large chorus of nuns from Linda Georgiou (Sister Mary Theresa), Gaynor White (Sister Mary Patrick), Kerry Flint (Sister Mary Lazarus) and Claire Oatley (Sister Mary Martin-of-Tours). Ian Kendrick gave a good performance as Monsignor O’Hara as he tried to disguise how much he was enjoying the change in the church music.

The chorus singing from the nuns was very good with some harmonies to delight and couple this with some slickly executed dance routines it made for an unmissable evening’s entertainment.  

Good set, lighting and sound plus a sympathetic band all added to a good show. Well done.

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