Sister Act

Sister Act the Musical full of iconic songs penned by the famous Alan Menken, the story of Deloris Van Cartier having witnessed a murder, is placed in protective custody in a convent. Deloris as an aspiring singer soon finds herself inspiring, out of tune, Nuns into a choir with beautiful harmonization and togetherness whilst at times somewhat upsetting the Mother Superior.

Dronfield MTG continue the same ethos today as they have for over the past 50 years. The encouragement of youngsters being involved in their musicals as well as their pantomimes, the community welcome and inclusion of all who wish to be a part of the Dronfield Family. 

The set was simplistic with carry on carry off furniture pieces along with a multitude of projections depicting the varying scenes. Whilst I watched the dress rehearsal, I’m sure the back stage crew will speed up as it is always difficult when productions first hit the stage. Cast members also assisted the changes which helps the production to flow.  When we compare Amateur against Professional, they have the time to sort all this staging out compared to often only once within the amdram world.

The production team of Alan and Andrea Powell bought their many years of theatre experience to provide the direction and ideas for the cast to develop and perform. A truly large ensemble held their spacing and shapes really well during the large group numbers including ‘Raise Your Voice’ and ‘Benedicta Tu’ and I was pleased to see varying cast members having solo lines within them. Your Musical Director Judith Haywood had clearly worked hard to achieve some excellent group and solo singing with great harmonies particularly during Act 2. How lovely to see and hear a live orchestra. Thecast are predominantly ‘sisters’ all given names which I particularly liked but as in all things you need an amount of main characters. The centre piece of Sister Act is of course Deloris Van Cartier performed by Rachel Cooper Bassett a large character part which was performed well, the varying moods well depicted with moving scenes with Mother Superior by Sarah Betts and other principal characters. True commitment by these two talented performers working in harmony with Mother Superior not only performing her own songs ‘Here Between These Walls’ and ‘I Haven’t Got a Prayer ‘but also doubling with ‘Sunday Morning Fever’ and Sister Act’ to name but two whilst Deloris preserved her failing voice for later in the week. Mary Robert by Lily Ward a lovely well performed character part and how your singing voice gets better and better, some great scenes whilst visiting the night club with Deloris, along with scenes with the other Nuns and the stand out performance of ‘The Life I Never Led’, Sister Mary Patrick by Ruth Crowther and Sister Mary Lazarus by Janet Black two seasoned experienced performers leading many of the ensemble numbers and cameo scenes with poise, powerful strong singing and great stage presence. Andrew Hibbert as Eddie the police chief, ably negotiating to keep Deloris safe pending the trial, not your usual American policeman, until late in the production finding his courage by saving Deloris from the pointed gun of Curtis, the baddy, by shooting him in the arm. Lots of cameo moments and leading ‘I Could Be That Guy’ along with an ensemble of homeless. Paul Black as Monsignor O’Hara, another convincing performance, plenty of comedy asides and memorable scenes with Mother Superior. Convinced they couldn’t keep the convent until riches in the form of money raised from the Nuns Choir resolved their financial needs. Charlie Betts as Curtis Jackson, the gang leader and nightclub owner, the tough guy who really had no scruples, along with TJ by Aaron Sweet, Pablo by Oscar Aspinall, the Spanish speaking hardman, ,Joey by Finlay Jowle and, Kiddo by Harry Welsby,the gang members. Some fun scenes and songs including ‘When I Find My Baby’ and ‘Lady in the Long Black Dress’.

Well done to the large ensemble involved in many large numbers who negotiated the stage space well. I really enjoyed how you used the different exits and entrances. 

The costumes worked well and were cleverly thought out, great fun opening to Act 2 when all the Nuns dressed in multi coloured habits. 

Thank you for our usual warm welcome and allowing us to see the dress rehearsal. I felt everyone grew and grew into their performances as the evening progressed and wish you a successful run with Sister Act.

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