Sister Act

Popping just down the road was my last musical visit of 2024 before we enter panto season, to Vane Tempest Theatre Group’s latest production of Sister Act! A popular choice for any group with a large female ensemble, fun, generally sells well and a hoot to take part in.  Vane Tempest were sold out weeks before the event took place, testament to the show’s popularity and their loyal following.

Sister Act has a very well known storyline, probably one of the most well known in amateur theatre world largely due to the popular movie.  Mother Superior played by Suzy Wake declares that the convent is in need, before Deloris Van Cartier, played by Bex Crawford is seen performing in the night club run by her gangster boyfriend Curtis, played by Ian Dodd with Tina & Michelle played by Charlie Patton and Carolyn Adgar respectively. She witnesses Curtis and his crew made up of nephew TJ (Ashleigh Hallimond), Pablo (Kat Thompson), and Joey (John Thompson), shoot Ernie (Ben Wardopper) who they believe has "squealed" about them to the cops. Deloris runs to a police station and tells, Eddie (Nick Thompson) about what happened. Eddie decides that Deloris needs to go into the witness protection program and sends her to the place he believes Curtis will never find her - a convent.

Deloris joins the other nuns for dinner and after several comedic interactions, starts to bond with the other nuns but is bored by the simple life and decides to hit the town followed by Sister Mary Patrick (Charlotte Gibson), and Sister Mary Robert (Kathryn Leonard).

The following morning Deloris attends the choir practice and admits that the choir sounds terrible. She offers to help the choir master Sister Mary Lazarus (Lisa Leonard), and teaches the nuns how to sing on key and on time. She also manages to break the quiet and timid Sister Mary Robert out of her shell ("Raise Your Voice"). The choir perform an up-tempo hymn ("Take Me to Heaven”) which to the struggling church's surprise brings in more people and more donations. The Mother Superior, however, is horrified how the simple traditional choir she knew has changed and become modern however Monsignor O’Hara (Keith Armitage) is thrilled.  Great accent Keith!

Over the coming weeks, the choir becomes incredibly successful. Curtis and his gang spot Deloris with the choir on the television. Curis orders his boys to get into the convent and bring Deloris to him.   As Deloris prepares to leave Sister Mary Robert begs to come with her, claiming that she has been inspired to be a stronger person and go after the things she wants ("The Life I Never Led"). Deloria reflects on her life and realises that the choices she is making will leave her with nothing but fame and money, and when the lights go out she will be alone. A poignant moment for us all.  She decides to return to the convent and sing with her sisters.

Dressed as nuns, Curtis and his boys sneak into the convent; they find and chase Deloris forcing her to beg for her life. However, all the sisters and nuns stand in front of her telling Curtis that they will have to go through them first ("Sister Act (Reprise)"). which can be a very moving moment.  The Mother Superior and Deloris come to a truce and accept that perhaps they are not so different after all. The show ends with all the nuns and eventually the entire cast performing for the Pope ("Spread the Love Around").

It’s a very difficult space to perform such a big show at Seaham Town Hall.  Vane Tempest certainly did their best with an extension on the main stage, use of satellite staging areas and the use of additional exist through the audience under the direction of Nick Thompson, musical direction of Ben Wardropper and choreography by Helen Southwick.  The sightlines could probably do with some consideration for such a big show in future but good use was being made of the space available.  I’m not sure if nerves were getting the better of some of the cast the night I attended as there was some seeming unfamiliarity with some of the numbers and some vocals seemingly struggling as the week went on.  Make sure those voices are lovely and warm before you perform!

Unfortunately the sound was fairly poor the night I attended which was unfortunate as some members of the cast could not be heard at all, were entirely mis-heard next to cast who were amplified and mikes left on once cast had left the stage.  I noted with interest the request for audience members not to use mobile phones due to their interference with sound equipment, yet as I understand it, radio mikes typically use specific frequency bands allocated for audio transmission.  It’s certainly something I’d recommend is looked into for the next performance as it was such a shame. 

There were some brilliant comedy moments brought out of the script during the performance.  Kerry Robinson as Sister Mary Theresa (I believe? I may be wrong!) brought some brilliant comedy through with the walker and mobility scooter throughout, staying in character stealing the ensemble numbers with her quips and unfortunately almost tripping up poor Suzy a few times with the walker.  Well done!  Lisa Leonard absolutely stole the show for me as Sister Mary Lazarus however.  I’m so proud of her personal development, especially during adversity and growing confidence, she was a hilarious Sister Mary Lazarus and her rapping was excellent. 

Well done to all involved.

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