(Above: Ensemble of nuns)
This is a heartwarming
and hilarious comedy — with oodles of fun for the whole family! (Review by
Shannon Kenny)
Northcliff High’s “Sister Act - Divine Musical Comedy” at the Playhouse Drama Theatre
For those of you who are not familiar with the story, Sister Act the musical is based on the 1992 hit movie starring Whoopie Goldberg. Deloris van Cartier is a singer with dreams of superstardom as a disco diva. After reporting a murder committed by Curtis, her gangster boyfriend, Deloris finds herself in protective custody - in a convent.
Palesa Taule is the sassy Deloris, whose pivot from nightclub singer to nun leads to many hilarious encounters, faux pas and minor acts of rebellion. As penance for her waywardness, the austere Mother Superior, played by Jaimee Lamont, tasks Deloris with coaching the convent’s cacophonous choir. Beyond expectation, Deloris transforms the struggling choir into a singing, dancing musical sensation (worthy of a papal visit) - and the lives of the Sisters and their vivacious coach are transformed in the most wonderful way.
Taule and Lamont tackle their roles with confidence, nuance and conviction, displaying moments of excellent comic timing. Here within these walls is pulled off well, as is Deloris’ titular Sister Act. Mother Superior’s I haven’t got a prayer was delivered to well-deserved, rousing applause.
(Right: Jaimee Lamont as the Mother Superior and Palesa Taule as Deloris Carter )
The cop to whom Deloris reports the crime is a secret admirer from school, better known then as Sweaty Eddie. Eddie’s clumsiness - and enduring sweatiness - is well-executed by Luyanda Dube, who had the delighted audience firmly on-side with I could be that guy.
The endearing convent choir is led by the slightly curmudgeonly Sister Mary Lazarus, so well-portrayed by Teagan Shaddock who deftly maintained her character’s voice and physicality, through the crowd-pleasing rap and joyous move-busting dance. Caitlyn Taylor brought a lovely ebullience to her Sister Mary Patrick. Timid postulant, Sister Mary Robert, was brought to life by Peyton Bala, who injected her role with sensitivity and a spectacular voice. Her rendition of The life I never led brought the house down. Ella Wareham as the aged Sister Mary Teresa, and Jordan Douwie as scatty Sister Mary-of-Tours provided lovely comic cameos.
The company of nuns (including Sisters Mary-Agnes, Dominic, Catherine, Francis, Philomena, Valentine, Benedict, Xavier, Cecilia and Genevieve) more than ably supported Deloris in numbers like Raise your voice and Take me to heaven, in addition to taking on dual roles as backing singers, bar staff and patrons and homeless people in various scenes.
Their shiny, gold-sequinned finale habits bedecked shimmered
as they shimmied their way through their dance moves and the rousing Spread the love around.
Tristan Evans had quite a task playing the menacing Curtis, who sends his henchmen Joey, TJ and the Spanish-speaking Pablo (Juan Laubscher, Lance Roman and Karabo Modisaotile, respectively) in search of Deloris. The bumbling gangsters’ quest for the elusive Deloris tickled the audience with some well-placed slapstick and humorous lines.
A particularly memorable chase scene involving nuns and gangsters had the audience in stitches.
Eddie’s assistant is played by Ahren Sewpersadh who doubles as a gleeful priestly spokesmodel with Gunther Hubsch, who faces execution as Ernie at the beginning of our story. Monsignor O’Hara is played by Aiden de Jager.
Despite a few technical hitches in the sound department, the cast were troopers and held their own.
Director, Nick Jourdan, has once again mounted a touring musical with a cast and crew comprised of high school pupils from Grade 8 to 11 and a live, 8-piece band under the baton of Matthew Vlok. This is no mean feat, especially when one considers the logistics and the curveballs that inevitably come a production’s way. Well done!
The whoops and cheers from a charmed audience said it all.
This is a heartwarming and hilarious comedy — with oodles of fun for the whole family! – Shannon Kenny
Performances are from July 1 to 5 with evening performances at 19h30 and matinees on the Saturday at 14h00 and Sunday at 15h00. Tickets are R120 throughout and R80 for seniors.
Booking for all shows is through Webtickets.