Sister Act

I was warmly welcomed at Front of House and met with the Director Alison Baker after the performance. Once again the creative talents of David Thompson and his team had designed and built a simple but highly effective set. The stage had been draped in red and purple initially for the Nightclub scene with a raised platform towards the back and a separate area at the very back where the band was located. There were many scene changes, mostly achieved by props, mainly chairs and tables, being moved on and off very fluently by the cast and back stage crew. At one point a confessional was wheeled onto the stage. The bar area was illuminated by a flashing sign and the small stage was a constant hub of activity with every inch used to the maximum. Given the limitations of the stage there was some creative and skilled choreography by Holly Bird. Some of the Sisters’ dance routines looked great fun!

Lighting was used creatively to enhance the scenes and sound levels were great. All the actors could be heard clearly with good projection. Costumes were appropriate to the characters and were provided, and in most cases made, by the society , with some being quite splendid and colourful.

The audience were treated to a pre-start warm up by some of the cast in the theatre bar singing extracts from some of the songs which all added to the excited buzz of the audience.

The small and very versatile band, (nine woodwind instruments between two players and keyboards and drums) was ably directed by Musical Director Phil Toms and provided excellent backing and support to the cast. Some of the singers even had to be taught by Phil to sing badly !

All the cast and ensemble interpreted and played their roles convincingly and to a high standard. Star of the show was inevitably Symone Pemberton as Doloris Van Cartier. Symone had great stage presence and an excellent voice delivering songs such as ‘Take Me To Heaven’ and ‘Sister Act’. A compelling performance from Symone. Mother Superior, ably played by Jenni Horn, was ‘very superior’ and dismissive of Doloris initially and displayed her emotions very openly. Here was another very good voice especially in ‘Here Within These Walls’ and ‘Haven’t Got A Prayer’. There was a great part for Anna Kitching as Sister Mary Robert, a young, shy and introverted postulant in training. Anna had some fantastic facial expressions and gave a sensitive and wistful air to ‘The Life I Never Led’. Sweaty Eddie, the police Inspector was wonderfully played by Ryan Maslen. He had a strong voice in ‘I Could Be That Guy’ and some energetic and frantic dance moves during which he changed clothes! I must mention here the niche role of Drag Queen, a stripper, well played by Ben Maytham. Graham Bowden was the Parish Priest, Monsignor O’Hara, with good stage presence and whose facial expressions were so comical. !

Curtis was the villain of the piece, a dangerous gangster. Elliott McMillan rose to this challenging role well and showed good vocal ability in ‘When I Find My Baby’ accompanied by his henchmen.

There were a number of smaller roles all of which were intrinsic to the plot and an energetic and busy ensemble.

This was a lively and sparkling production playing to capacity audiences for all ten performances. Congratulations to the creative team with full credit to Alison Baker, Director, and Ben Maytham, Assistant Director, for their inspiring and innovative leadership of a talented cast and crew. Well done !

 

 

 

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