Nunsense

Nunsense is musical comedy in its earliest incarnation; a revue combining disparate elements and which presumes significant audience involvement. The plot is flimsy: five nuns, survivors of a food poisoning incident, mount a show to raise funds for the remaining members of their religious community, still held in the convent freezer. The show is held together by the characters. Each nun has had hidden talent – singing, ventriloquism, dancing, comedy – but also a back story which makes the show more engaging than it might otherwise have been.

Di Richards was the ideal casting choice for Sister Mary Regina. Richards is a consummate comedienne and with a commanding voice.

The role of Sister Mary Hubert was taken by another experienced performer, Kathy Spencer, an able foil for Mother Superior. Sister Robert Anne is engaging and very human as played by Clare Latham. The character of streetwise Robert Anne reflects elements of pop culture from the 1980’s when the show was written.  Robert Anne is a rebel and a clown but also comes across as a genuine persona. Sister Mary Amnesia is skilfully portrayed by Hannah Powell. Powell shines in the ensemble numbers but her scene with the puppet, Mary Annette, is a tour de force. Sister Mary Leo (Grace Burdick) was in good voice and conveyed the appropriate naiveté as the novice.

The show contains plenty of song and dance numbers in an eclectic range of styles. The choreography by Cassie Xintavelonis is engaging whilst making the most of the performers’ abilities. It significantly supports the narrative through the exposition.  The vocal direction by Ian Williams is evident in excellent diction and clear harmonies. Ensemble pieces balance the various timbres and voice types in the group.

There may be audience members who do not enjoy aspects of the humour of Nunsense, some of which is dated and in questionable taste. The jokes rely heavily on puns and slapstick physical humour. The removal of the fourth wall makes the audience complicit in hackneyed tropes normally associated with vaudeville. Engaging with actors in a lighted auditorium may be confronting to some theatre goers. Nunsense is undeniably silly but there are undoubtedly many pleasing moments to enjoy. 

Anne Blythe-Cooper

Photographers: Robert Linacre and Wayne Wagg