Review: Sister Act, by Brightlingsea Musical Theatre Group

“I’m fabulous, baby,” sang night club singer Deloris Van Cartier in Brightlingsea Musical Theatre Group’s production of Sister Act.

She certainly was – but so was everyone else in this energetic, pitch-perfect show that made the most – given that most of the cast played nuns – of the highly appropriate St James’ church venue and its excellent acoustics.

Based on the hit 1992 film of the same name, the musical tells the tale of how Deloris hides away in a convent from gangster boyfriend Curtis Shank, who’s ordered his crew of hapless wannabes to kill her.

While pretending to be a nun from a rather more enlightened order than the The Holy Order of the Little Sisters of Our Mother of Perpetual Faith she’s lodging with, Deloris peps up the sisters’ dismal singing, making them so famous that they gain an audience with the Pope.

Rebecca Mason was a wonderful Deloris – totally believable as the sassy singer with big dreams and an even bigger voice to match. She was the perfect foil to Jayne Meek’s stern Mother Superior, who delivered ripostes to Deloris with sharp timing and plenty of eye-rolling.

Gregg Weaver was the menacing tough guy Shank with an ‘interesting’ line in shiny suits, while Dominic Simpson, Adam Parkes and Bailey Boyce did sterling work as his crew, particularly when demonstrating their seduction techniques to the female audience members in the front row.

As an ensemble, the nuns were just brilliant – they really had soul! Their singing was tight and together, especially in the numbers with complicated harmonies, and they moved as a well-drilled team. Pheobe Wigget, as Sister Mary Patrick, had infectious enthusiasm, Ava Foster’s Sister Mary Robert was winsome and full of longing, while Lynne Farlie as Sister Mary Lazarus put in a nice turn as the ineffectual choir mistress.

Tim Martin looked made for – and commanded – the part of Monsignor O’Hara, while Joe Fusi gave lovelorn policeman Eddie Souther, a winning combination of pathos and comedy.

But a musical isn’t any good without a good band – and this show had a group of musicians who were worthy of any professional production. They were a phenomenally-talented bunch of six, led by MD Franky Garland, never overwhelming the soloists and keeping the ensemble pieces swinging.

Sound engineer Wesley Laing deserves special mention for getting the balance just right – the music was never too loud and the performers were never not heard. The obvious hard work of choreographer Pheobe Wigget and dance captain Becky Foster showed in a well-drilled cast. Experienced director Lucy Weaver made sure that the cast gave their all, while making the most of a limited set and with clever staging.

Anyone who saw the show left the church on a high, in awe of the talent demonstrated by, let’s remember, a group of (though often anything but) amateurs. Well done BMTG – Sister Act has set a high bar!