While celibate women prancing around in habits wouldn’t usually scream the word ‘ENTERTAINMENT’, plenty of playwrights have made a killing out of singing and dancing nuns. From Rodgers and Hammerstein’s The Sound of Music to Dan Goggin’s Nunsense, it’s now become somewhat difficult to see a ‘real life’ sister on the street without expecting them to break out into song. Spoiler alert: they don’t. Unless it’s a hymn.
So, of course, it was only a matter of time before the classic 1992 movie Sister Act, starring Whoopi Goldberg, was turned into a musical. Which it was. And Yorkshire company We Are Theatre brought it to the Joseph Rowntree Theatre this week.
The Story
Deloris Van Cartier (Samantha Hindman) is a singer trying to get work in a Philadelphia club run by her gangster boyfriend Curtis Jackson (Steve Wilcox). When he rejects her she decides to leave the city and make it on her own – but her plans are quickly scuppered when she accidently witnesses Jackson murdering someone.
Forced into a nearby convent for her own protection, Deloris has to adjust to life as an undercover nun; while nervous police officer and childhood friend Eddie (Robert Sager) tries to keep Curtis and his gang at bay before the murder trial. Of course, nothing’s ever that simple. When Deloris converts the nuns from tone deaf warblers into the Von Trapp Fam—sorry, wrong musical—into an angelic chorus, concerts with the nuns become more popular than if Lewis Capaldi announced a third gig at Scarborough Open Air Theatre. This newfound fame throws a spanner in the works and all hell breaks loose. Ironic really, for a musical about religion.
It’s very rare that, unless you’re going to a promenade performance, the entertainment begins before you’ve even entered the theatre. We Are Theatre’s performances however, begin much earlier than that. When patrons arrive at the gates of the ‘Jo Ro’, as it’s affectionately known by locals, cast members are on hand to welcome you – and offer show programmes. You’re then welcomed into Curtis’ ‘club’, or the auditorium, by Curtis himself – and this feeling of involvement continues when he walks through the aisle and onto the stage through the audience.
The simplistic set and use of props work to the cast’s advantage as you get to see how talented they really are. Remembering that none of these guys are professional, the energy levels are contagious, and you really feel like you’re part of the action. The principal dancers especially have an abundance of enthusiasm and you can see how much they’re enjoying themselves. Quite a rarity for amateur theatre actually – weirdly, sometimes performers can look like they’re being forced onto the stage at gunpoint. Certainly not in this performance.
A Round of Applause
There were so many stand-out performances by individuals that it’s impossible to list them all, but I did have a few favourites. Karen Kitching’s Mother Superior was absolutely fantastic. Her comic timing was flawless, her voice had the most effortless vibrato I’ve ever heard, and it was just a joy to see her walk onto the stage. Her performance of ‘Haven’t Got a Prayer’ was, for me, the highlight of the entire show. The way she commands the stage single-handedly is both admirable and enticing.
Special mentions also need to go out to Sister Mary Patrick (Becki Cockram), Sister Mary Lazarus (Maggie Evans) and Sister Mary Martin of Tours (Susan Langan). Cockram and Evans absolutely stole every scene they were in, and Langan was responsible for making me really belly laugh.
It’s not all about the girls, though. Sager’s ‘Sweaty’ Eddie was a truly heartfelt performance, with the perfect balance of sentiment and humour; and Curtis’ gang consisting of Joey (Ross Rickatson), TJ (Saqiq Rizvi) and Pablo (Liam Wilks) got the biggest applause of the night with their flirty number. Rizvi in particular is one to watch as a major up-and-coming talent, and Wilks was hilarious as Pablo.
The music in this show is by no means easy – yet the cast of We Are Theatre’s Sister Act perform it effortlessly and with genuine joy. Something that really stood out to me when watching this company was their professionalism and love for what they were doing – and that includes the fantastic band led by Musical Director Lee Saltmer. You couldn’t hear any giggling or chattering in the wings.
While the show was sadly only on for two days (18th-19th June), the good news is that We Are Theatre are back TOMORROW, with some of the Sister Act cast, for Peter Pan – running from the 21st-22nd June.
Click here to book your tickets!
Fancy having a go?
We Are Theatre are a friendly, welcoming and diverse company, who believe in using theatre as a vehicle to enhance people’s lives. If you’d like to get involved, or want to find out more, visit www.wearetheatre.co.uk. Auditions for their next shows are usually held in November, so keep an eye out for updates.
Add a comment