The Queen Of Angels Convent, or rather I should say, Romiley's Forum Theatre was the venue for East Cheshire Musical Theatre Company's production of 'Sister Act' this evening, and although I am itching to put a corny pun in my review somewhere, there'll be nun of it!
'Sister Act' tells the story of Delores Van Cartier, a Vegas-style singer in 1970's Philadelphia, who just happens to have a gangster boss boyfriend, and just happens to witness him murder one of his hoodlums for snitching to the police. She runs to the police herself, and a kindly sargeant whom she knows from high school, hides her away in a local convent until she can stand as witness at the gangster's trial. I think you know the story already don't you.....!
This was a high energy, all guns firing production, in which every single cast member pulled it out of the bag! The singing in general was of a very high standard, but the harmonies from the sisters were just lush. Characterisations were solid and there was a genuine ensemble feel to the whole show. I loved the costumes, and the live 10-piece band at the front of the stage sounded excellent; both costumes and music bringing about a wonderful 1970's vibe to the whole.
Of course the show centres around Delores (Karina Tomlinson), and for anyone wanting to step into Whoopi Goldberg's shoes this must have seemed quite a daunting undertaking at first. However, Tomlinson needn't have worried, as she created her own character superbly, and I enjoyed watching her slow transformation throughout the show. A charismatic performer with a great '70's belt voice to boot.
Another perhaps rather daunting role to play, due to it being played on screen by none other than Maggie Smith, is the role of Mother Superior. Once again Tina Spiers found her own way through this character and it was sincere and reverent, with a dash of wicked fun. A calming influence on the excitable nuns, but showing that she too could kick a leg and boogie-on-down when required to do so. Spiers had a beautifully mellow voice and showed great vocal control. Her solos were my personal show highlight.
The show features some lovely cameo characters, and a large chorus of all-singing, all-dancing nuns; but of course, the show wouldn't be the same without the three nuns who befriend Dolores more than the others (just as it is in the film). Nervous and reserved Postulant Sister Mary Roberts (Daisy Nicholson), giddy and over-excitable Sister Mary Patrick (Francesca Bowman), and the more dour and sensible Sister Mary Lazarus (Alexandra Severn), all bringing their characters nicely to the fore and blending well with the ensemble.
The show is female-heavy and female-led, but that doesn't mean there aren't any males in the show at all.. there are, and these smaller cameos were played with just the right amount of a) comedy [Kieran Mickey (Joey), Jonathan Cresswell (TJ), and Ash Mallen (Pablo)], b) malevolence [Steve Sheppard (Curtis) - I loved his solo 'When I Find My Baby' - showcasing Sheppard's lounge-crooner voice to great effect], and c) sincerity [Gareth Baddeley (Sweaty Eddie), and John Hilliard (Monsignor O'Hara)].
As I've already mentioned I loved the music, directed by Ed Nurse. The band was expertly conducted whilst the quality of the singing, especially the harmonies, were delightful. The choreography by Heidi Fletcher and Sally Hilliard was just sensational. The dances managed to showcase what was both best and worst of the era with some great comedy routines for the three stooges, whilst the nuns were given some rather intricate moves which they all managed with panache. I did feel that the directing (Thom Copestake) was a little weak at times though. Much more could have been made from certain scenes, whilst other scenes, which should have been highly comedic, fell a little flat. Entrances and exits were all a bit eggy too. Perhaps with this being Copestake's first time directing a full-scale musical, he would have benefitted from the help of an Assistant Director.
The set design didn't help Copestake sadly. The main set piece of the convent was excellent, but it was the constant changing of tabs in and out, stage-hands bringing set items on and off etc which was very distracting. Perhaps it would have been more advantageous to have played the shorter, more intimate scenes, in pools of light, without the need for scene changes? It didn't make any sense to me to utilise the entire stage for a scene which required only two actors and a chair. But the worst faux-pas of all I have to say is watching a dead body stand up and walk off stage at the end of the scene!
The lighting was creative, but distracting. Some of the effects used simply didn't 'read', and I was uncertain as to why the spots needed to start in the audience and travel across the band before finding their marks on stage. Sound levels were generally good, but a couple of the mics could have done to have been turned up a little higher, especially for Sister Mary Roberts.
However, my misgivings aside, - this was opening night afterall - 'Sister Act' is a fun, hugely enjoyable, and proficiently produced show performed by a group of very talented and enthusiatic actors / actresses. This was the first time I have seen a show by East Cheshire Musical Theatre Company; and I was impressed by such a high calibre of performance. I look forward to seeing their 2023 production of Guys And Dolls!
Reviewer - Matthew Dougall
on - 26.4.22
Reviewer - Matthew Dougall
on - 26.4.22
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