Sister Act

Sister Act staged by St Ambrose Players at St Ambrose Halls for All, Moss Lane, Leyland on Thursday, 12th May, 2022.

Sister Act is the amazing feel-good comedy based on the smash hit movie of the same name starring Whoopie Goldberg and Maggie Smith.  Written by Alan Menken, with lyrics by Glenn Slater from the book by Bill and Cheri Steinkellner with additional material from Douglas Carter Beane. This musical is a story about two worlds colliding, neither expected to change, but through learning from each other, things can and do change!  It’s also about the ‘power of music’ and when these ‘sisters’ sing together you will want to jump up and ‘RAISE YOUR VOICE’… ‘Brace yourselves sisters’… this is a sparkling tribute to the universal power of friendship and sisterhood and tells the hilarious story of Disco Diva Deloris Van Cartier whose life takes a surprising turn when she witnesses a murder!  Placed in protective custody, hidden in the one place she won’t be found – a convent. Disguised as a nun, under the watchful eye of Mother Superior, Deloris helps her fellow sisters find their voices as she unexpectedly rediscovers her own…this really is a truly moving story!

St Ambrose Players should have staged this musical in May 2020, but the pandemic put paid to that as it did with so many other productions!  So, two years hence, with ‘St Ambrose’s Halls for All’ packed to the rafters they finally got their chance… was that wait worthwhile?  From the audience reaction throughout and the applause that greeted the cast at the end of the show…. I would strongly suggest it was!  

Production Team   Beverley Yates (Director) and Ryan Scott (Assistant Director) should be congratulated on their vison for this production which had good pace but lost nothing when it came to the more poignant moments… well done guys, be proud!  Joe Martin (Musical Director) and his orchestra were located on stage… they provided us with some wonderful musical accompaniments and should be again congratulated.  The choreography was in the capable hands of Alison Hampson (Alison not only choreographed the show but also took on a principal role). This show does not require complicated steps with high kicking routines but it does require a great deal of movement, energy and enthusiasm and St Ambrose delivered that remit in ‘bucket loads’ … congrats Alison, great job!

This is the point where I usually ‘stick my neck out’ and start to identify my favourite performances… but honestly, I know not where to start!  Why, because I do believe the success of this production was down to ‘team work’… with everyone giving of their best!  It was obvious, from the start, that everyone was just loving being back on stage, in front of a live audience, having the time of their lives… be proud guys, great production!

CAST… Rachael Lidgett did a marvellous job as ‘Deloris Van Cartier’.  Confident, bags of energy, strong stage presence, great singing voice… all the attributes required to fulfil this demanding role… well done Rachael, be ever so proud!  Pat Connor took on the role of ‘Mother Superior’… another who did a wonderful job. Stage presence aplenty, had some great ‘one liner’s’ that were delivered with ease! Loved the final scene with Deloris, very poignant… be proud Pat!   Paul Regan did a great job as the ‘not so clever cop ‘Eddie’ or as he’s more fondly known ‘Sweaty Eddie’ who’s been in love with Deloris ever since school.  Paul was able to show the many sides of this character, his song ‘I could be that guy’ was sung and acted with emotion and a sense of meaning… well done sir!  Our ‘Baddies’ – the ‘gangsters’ were led ever so well by Ste Carletti taking on the role of ‘Curtis’ (wouldn’t like to meet him in a back alley for sure)!  Jack Vardy played Curtis’s son ‘TJ’, and Matt Morrell played ‘Joey’… all delivered strong performances with a mixture of ‘sinister undertones and light hearted humour’… be proud guy’s great job!  Kirsty Chapman and Phreya Unitt took on the respective roles of ‘Michelle and Tina’… Deloris’s backing singers… well done ladies.  Fraser Bruce played a number of roles including ‘Ernie’ the ‘police informant’, a ‘Drag Queen’ a TV Interviewer and a few other small roles, well done sir, and Steven Barnes who took on the roles of a Policemen, Taxi Driver and others, well done Stephen! ‘The Clergy’… what would Sister Act be without its clergy!  Mark Kendall did a great job as Monsignor O'Hara great stage presence, great comedic timing, looked the part be proud Mark, great job!  What makes a good show great … the chorus and the chorus in Sister Act is all about the ‘Sisterhood’… the Nuns Chorus and what a great job they all did!   Mandy Stanton played Sister Mary Martin of Tours; Julie Webster played Sister Mary Theresa, we had several unnamed nuns played by Jennie Barnes, Kath Green, Kath Rand, Vicki Watson, Debbie Sheehan, Louise Taylor and Sam Torkington… well done ladies be proud!  We also had the three main nun’s… Jennifer Harbottle playing ‘Sister Mary Roberts’, the very shy postulant who finds her voice after meeting and singing with Deloris.  Jennifer took us on a totally believable journey, great voice… loved her rendition of ‘The Life I Never Led’… be ever so proud young lady!  ‘Sister Mary Patrick’ was played by Alison Griffiths-Barnes…the constantly perky, enthusiastic, and easily excitable nun. Alison looked totally at ease in this role which she made her own… well done Alison, great job.  Last, but certainly not least, was Alison Hampson’s portrayal of Sister Mary Lazarus!  Head of the choir and rather ‘deadpan’ before Deloris arrives… wonderful stage presence, great characterisation, made this part her own… went from ‘deadpan’ to ‘rapper’ having got caught up in Deloris’s music… be ever proud Alison, wonderful job!

I did say that I was not going to mention individuals BUT… I just wanted to highlight one young lady who did not have a named part but took on the role of a ‘nun’ and a ‘dancer’… Jennie Barnes.  Whenever or wherever Jennie appeared on stage, be it front and centre in the spotlight or on the back row, she always had a smile on her face, all movements were expressed to their full potential as well as facial expressions aplenty… it was obvious from her first entrance to her last, that Jennie was there to have the time of her life and to enjoy every minute... be ever so proud Jennie, we could all learn something from that performance!

A simple set was used throughout and created a perfect environment for this production…congrats to Ryan Francis (Stage Manager) and his team of highly talented ‘set designers and painters’ Graham Forrest, Martin Dempsey, Gordon Manley, David White and Paul Gregson… great job again guys!   Props… which were apt and well used were under the watchful eye of Tony Stevens.  Jean Lee and Tina Smith were tasked with looking after the Wardrobe, which was superb and enhanced the production ever so much… congrats ladies!

Sound … was under the control of Stephen Porter.  I did think the orchestra slightly overpowered all the singers at the start of the show, especially those not miked (it did eventually balance itself out and in the second act it sounded perfect), I’m not sure if this was something Stephen could control or if it is under the control of the Musical Director.  Ultimately, it did not affect the overall enjoyment of the show! 
Lighting… good throughout under the watchful eye of Dylan Bycroft and Jack Greenwood… well done guys!

As you would expect, there were happy endings… Curtis and Co went to prison, Deloris returned to the convent and the choir to sing before The Pope and Eddie finally got that kiss from the love of his life… well done St Ambrose great job!

Thank you once again for inviting my wife and I and thank you for such an amazing evening; it really is a pleasure to visit you and I hope to see you again very soon!

Stay safe and keep well…

Jim Briscoe
NODA NW
District 6 Rep

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