Sister Act

Audiences who were lucky to see the amateur production of the musical Sister Act at Newcastle’s top playhouse, the Theatre Royal, in July were indeed privileged to experience surely one of the leading local companies performing in what has become a very competitive and demanding field.  Sister Act (The story of a nightclub singer holed up in a convent on a witness protection scheme who transforms the fortunes of the nuns through music) is proving to be a smash hit with amateur musical companies and their audiences, and this Theatre Royal production is no exception. The cast and their supporters couldn’t hide their enthusiasms and it was infectious (with lessons here for real-life). It takes a lot to charge the Theatre Royal stage and the Newcastle upon Tyne Musical Theatre Company (NMTC) has it in spades. The usual occupants of the venue are professional touring companies so the team faced a big challenge – match regular audiences’ expectations and enjoy the experience for love, not money.  Quite a tall order but I am glad to say that the show surpassed even some of the professional productions theatre goers might have seen and experienced.  The production was expertly staged by the NMTC which has presented a major production in Newcastle City centre at least once a year, except 1986, during refurbishments at the Theatre Royal. Those productions have featured the cream of amateur talent from Northumberland, Durham, Tyneside and further afield (this time featuring In excess of 32 people behind the show and over 45 on stage).  The principals , lead by Lauren Gordon (Deloris Van Cartier) and Helen Cash (Mother superior)), the chorus, the orchestra and the crew were inspired by the venue, the material and the sheer joy of performing. It is difficult to sustain such a big performance but the company pulled it off. It’s hard to believe that members of the company have other lives as well so accomplished is the endeavour.

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