Sister Act

Hornsea Amateur Theatre Society once again proved why they are such a well-loved company with their latest production of Sister Act. Under the direction of Kirsty Maiden, produced by Ian Thompson, with choreography from Nikki Woolsey and Sarah Toovey, and musical direction from Andy McIntosh, the production was packed with energy, humour, heart, and exceptional musical performances from start to finish.

The use of the performance space was particularly effective, with acting areas extending beyond the main stage to include a front wing and balcony section, helping to immerse the audience fully in the action. The set itself was relatively minimal, relying on carefully placed tables, chairs, lighting, and curtains to transform scenes seamlessly. This worked incredibly well and ensured the focus remained on the talented cast and dynamic storytelling. A live band positioned on stage was also a fantastic addition, adding richness and immediacy to the musical numbers.

Musically, the show was outstanding. The harmonies throughout were exceptionally tight and beautifully delivered, with “Raise Your Voice” standing out as one of the highlights of the evening thanks to its soaring vocals and emotional impact. The choreography was polished, well rehearsed, and executed with confidence. One thing Hornsea always does so well is ensuring the entire cast is involved — rather than a select few dancing while others linger in the background, every performer had their moment to shine, creating a real sense of unity and ensemble spirit.

At the centre of the production was Natalie Clydesdale as Deloris Van Cartier, who delivered a firecracker performance from beginning to end. Even when faced with minor microphone issues, she never faltered, pushing through with complete professionalism. Her vocals were powerful, full of vibrato, heart, and soul, and she commanded the stage every time she appeared.

Sarah Hyde brought excellent characterisation to the long-suffering Mother Superior, with every dry remark and sharp jibe perfectly inflected. Her comic timing was superb, while still grounding the role with warmth and sincerity.

The convent scenes were a true joy, with the fabulous group of nuns working together brilliantly. There was a genuine chemistry between the cast that suggested friendships extending well beyond the stage. Andrea Fairweather as Sister Mary Lazarus was wonderfully entertaining, delivering her role with confidence and excellent comic flair. Amy Thomas gave a sweet and heartfelt performance as Sister Mary Roberts, growing beautifully in confidence throughout the show, while Beth Pearl as Sister Mary Patrick brought boundless energy and warmth that lit up every scene she appeared in.

Ian Thompson also gave a solid and enjoyable performance as Monsignor O’Hara, bringing warmth and humour to the role while helping to hold the convent scenes together with ease.

One of the funniest moments of the entire production came courtesy of Harry Burton, Noah Bloomfield, and Harry Hornby during “Lady in the Long Black Dress.” Their comic timing, energy, and stage presence completely stole the scene, and these three young performers undoubtedly have bright futures ahead of them in theatre.

A special mention must also go to Ernie, who gave a hugely convincing performance filled with nervous energy and excellent character work throughout. Every appearance on stage felt authentic and committed, with his anxious mannerisms and reactions adding an extra layer of comedy and realism to the scenes he was involved in. It is often these supporting roles that help bring the world of a production to life, and Ernie did exactly that with confidence and charm. His performance showed great potential and demonstrated a natural stage presence that audiences clearly responded to warmly.

Tim Drage as Curtis was fantastic, delivering a soulful, deep vocal performance that oozed charm, menace, and intrigue in equal measure. He fully embodied the powerful character and brought real presence whenever he stepped on stage.

Finally, Hornsea Amateur Theatre Society should be immensely proud of this production. Sister Act was uplifting, funny, musically superb, and full of heart — another excellent example of community theatre done exceptionally well.

© NODA CIO. All rights reserved.