Sister Act

SISTER ACT....a musical presented by BOS at Southport Little Theatre, Hoghton Street, Southport on Wednesday, 5th June 2024

Sister Act is an amazing feel-good comedy musical 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 join in and ‘RAISE YOUR VOICE’!  ‘Brace yourselves sisters’… this is a ‘twinkling 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 committed by her then boyfriend Curtis!  Placed in protective custody, hidden in a 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… a truly moving story about, faith, friendship and love!

The Production Team… Sister Act is one of my all-time favourite films and stage musicals which had been placed in the very capable hands of Director, Liz Clarke; Musical Director, David Wall and Choreographer Victoria Harrocks and what a job they made of it!  When I looked at the ‘principal cast list’ it just oozed class, and they were supported brilliantly by an amazing ensemble who were well-rehearsed and who literally ‘Raised Their Voices’ and supported the principals every step of the way and when that happens, there’s very little more you can ask!  David Wall and his fabulous musicians supported the singers ever so well, always supporting never overpowering, affording us the chance to hear every lyric sung from these amazing songs!  Victoria Harrocks did a wonderful job with some clever creative choreography which played to the strengths of all the dancers involved and which enhanced this production ever so much!  Well done you three … all that obvious effort paid off!

The Cast… as said in the previous paragraph… the ‘principal cast’ just oozed class and were supported brilliantly by a well-rehearsed ensemble!  So where to start… let’s start by naming all the cast and then I’ll select MY ‘showstealer’ and give some shout outs later…  ‘Principals’… Janine Burrows took the lead - ‘Deloris’; the diva, singer and inspirational nun; Rob MacGregor-Forshaw played ‘Sweaty Eddie’ the shy, noble police officer who has a major crush on Deloris; Ian Lawson played ‘Curtis’… evil gang leader, Deloris’s boyfriend, who murders Ernie. Luke Rimmer played ‘Joey’, Craig Billington played ‘TJ’; Carl Sedman took on the role of Columbian ‘Pablo’… Curtis’s ‘comedic’ henchmen; Heather Lewis played ‘Mother Superior’ the unyielding leader of the nuns; Daniel Kings played ‘Monsignor O’Hara’ the priest at the convent; Daniel Rodgers played ‘Ernie’ who Curtis shoots and an ‘Alter Boy’; Lucie Colman played ‘Tina’ - ‘back-up singer to Deloris’ and ‘Sister Mary Maria’  Rachael Perrett played ‘Michelle’… ‘back-up singer to Deloris’ and ‘Sister Mary McGurk’; Jess Mahoney played postulant ‘Sister Mary Roberts’, young, curious sheltered Nun; Kim Helm played ‘Sister Mary Patrick’, the happy, curious, overzealous nun;   Anne Powell played ‘Sister Mary Lazarus’ the Choir Leader, sour, rigid, who becomes a ‘rapper’; Laura Abrams played ‘Sister Mary Martin of Tours’, the aloof nun and pianist; Sue Hardiker played ‘Sister Mary Theresa’ … the old wise one!    

The Supporting Cast included ‘Sister Mary Jones’ - Rebecca Billington; ‘Sister Mary Louise’ - Anita Hutson; ‘Sister Mary Celeste’ - Nicola Powell; ‘Sister Mary Winifred’ – Karen Browne; ‘Sister Mary Deed’ – Sam Keen; ‘Sister Mary Frances’ – Mia Seery; ‘Sister Mary Rivers’ – Chloe Davies; ‘Sister Mary Ella’ – Sophie McGuiness; ‘Sister Mary Valentine’ – Millie Sinclair; ‘Policeman/Cab Driver’ – Chris Gerring; ‘Cleaner/Barman’; Dave Sidey; ‘Altar Boy/Drag Queen’ – Dom Johnson.    OMG… the next bit really is tough… ‘Showstealer + favourite characters’… when there’s no real weak links, saying someone is better than someone else can appear harsh … but, never one to sit on the fence, for MY ‘Showstealer’ I’ve gone for Jess Mahoney who did an amazing job portraying the ‘shy young postulant’ Sister Mary Roberts. Jess oozed class and made this role her own! Her development of the character throughout the show was so easily relatable in regards to building of the confidence she needed to stand up and be tall, taking her fears and “doing it anyway”!  Wonderful stage presence, great comedic timing, worked ever so well with all cast members and her rendition of ‘The Life I Never Lived’ and its reprise was poignant and a ‘highlight’ for me … congrats Jess!  There were so many following close on Jess’s heels … Janine Burrows and Rob MacGregor-Forshaw playing ‘Deloris’ and ‘Sweaty Eddie’ respectively, provided us with two great performances and two believable characters.  Janine is blessed with an amazing singing voice which she was able to show off in ‘Take Me to Heaven’ and ‘Raise Your Voices’ with the Nuns. Rob was ‘the’ perfect fit for the role of Sweaty Eddie. Rob has natural stage presence and has this innate ability to create believable characters, which allowed him to take and make this part his own… congrats Rob.  ‘The Gangsters’ provided us with four more great characters led by the ever so talented Ian Lawson … another blessed with a great voice, great stage presence and an ability to characterise most roles. He worked ever so well with his three henchmen Joey, TJ and Pablo played well by Luke Rimmer, Craig Billington and Carl Sedman who all created their own individual characters, worked ever so well together and provided us with some great comedic interludes… well done guys!  I couldn’t leave ‘favourites’ without mentioning the ‘fabulous Nuns’ who worked ever so hard and enhanced this production so much… their rendition of ‘Bless Our Show’ brought the house down!  Special mention to Heather Lewis as our Mother Superior, Kim Helm as ‘Sister Mary Patrick’ and who will ever forget the amazing rapping ‘Sister Mary Lazarus’ played with great aplomb by Anne Powell. (Anne, what size are those shoes…  need them for my panto!) … congrats one and all… great production appreciated by all present I would suggest, by the applause that resonated throughout and standing ovation that greeted the ‘finale’.

Staging/Tech/Set… a relatively basic set was used throughout which worked well and offered the actors the space they required to do their thing.  The set was enhanced by lighting and effects which also worked well enabling slick unobtrusive scene changes, all of which were carried out by cast members. Overseeing everything stage side was the ever so experienced Andrea Shacksmyth-Claire (Stage Manager) and her ‘back stage team’. Loved the ‘Confession Box’ and the scene involved… worked ever so well.  Lighting Design was by Sam Robinson-Davies; Sound Design by Dave Murray… with overall Stage Management by Infinity Technical & Production Services and the set provided by Proscenium Set Hire.

Orchestra… David Wall (Musical Director) led an amazing ten-piece orchestra that included … Cory Gerrard (Keys1), Robert Rainford (Keys2), Paul Taft (Guitar), Adam Dutch (Bass), Mike McKay (Kit), Sarah Dutch (Reed1), Niamh Boland (Reed2), Cliff Ray (Trumpet1), Tony Armitstead (Trumpet2) and Tim Lenehan (Trombone) … great sound, great support, amazing musicians… congrats!

Costume / Props… what an array of costumes… they were apt and looked fabulous … in particular the ‘nun related costumes’ which were all stunning and enhanced the show ever so much… hired from Charades, of St Helens and looked after by ‘The Wardrobe Team’ of Wendy Harris, Linda Hesketh, Carol Taylor, Elaine Fitzgerald and Anita Hutson (Wigs and Hair) … Props… the props were, as always, first class and used very well.  

What a wonderful way to start your 65th Anniversary Celebrations … all the best for the coming year, hope that all your celebrations go as well as this production did … see you all again later this year for Oliver!  

Thanks again for inviting Susan and I we really did enjoy the production, the entire evening and thank you for allowing me to meet and speak with the cast at the end of the production.

Stay Safe, Keep Well,
Stronger Together
Jim Briscoe
NODA NW
District 6 Rep

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