Sister Act

Every now and then an amateur company comes up with a performance that would easily rival the professionals in every respect and wow, wow, wow, this was the one!

It would be very difficult to mention all the cast but I have to say that each and everyone on stage were outstanding.

Karl Steele’s mesmerising production brought out the best in the younger and more seasoned actors and it was a pleasure to see some of the younger members who have grown with the company performing to such a high standard.

Alanna Boden led the way with impeccable portrayal of Deloris Van Cartier, a nightclub singer who happens to witness a murder committed by her hoodlum boyfriend and nightclub manager Curtis Shank played by the superb Patison Harrigan. She ends in the police protection programme in the custody of police Chief Eddie Souther played by the very funny Nick Allen. As it turns out Eddie frequented the same school and just happened to have a school boy crush on Deloris. Eddie has the bright idea to keep Deloris safe until the trial by sheltering her in a nearby convent. Kathryn James is absolutely delightful as the reluctant Mother Superior of a financially struggling Convent who eventually softens to accept Deloris forming a very close bond. Gregg Yates is probably one of the best actors on the Amateur circuit and once again delivers a fine performance as Monsignor O’Hara, the Irish Father whose love of music endears him to Deloris who he sees as the saviour to help keep the convent alive!

Deloris is quickly accepted by the Nuns and she eventually cottons on to the fact they she can pass the time by heading the Convent choir and converting them into a more Soulful one! Kelly Tye is fantastic as the bubbly Mary Patrick as is Trish Humphreys as the no nonsense Mary Lazarus. But one of the highlights of the show for me was Charlotte Fletcher as the shy Postulant Mary Roberts whose rendition of “The Life I Never led” was simply stunning and worthy of any West End stage.

Curtis’s three hoodlums Luke Groves as “Joey”, Joshua Anderson as Columbian “Pablo” and Brett Dewsbury as “T,J” are hilarious and leave a trail of mayhem as they eventually catch up with Deloris. At times the audience were in stitches especially with Pablo who never speaks a word of English and Luke’s rendition of “The Lady in the Long Black Dress” was pure genius.

As you’d expect there is a happy ending, Curtis and co go to prison, Deloris returns to the convent choir to sing before the Pope and Eddie gets to kiss the love of his life!

I must mention the stage crew who handled the professional set superbly, Musical Director Ian Room and his fine band and of course Jill Horne for the perfect complimentary Choreography.

I would also like to thank and congratulate Company President, Brian Hirst, for the splendid hospitality and on a brilliant show, thoroughly deserving the full house standing ovation!

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