Drinking Habits
The world seems to be full of situations we once thought improbable. Unfortunately, they are far from ludicrous. This play by American playwright Tom Smith is also full of improbable, situations. Thankfully they are ludicrous … and become even more so!
The Sisters of Perpetual Sewing make habits and robes. But their numbers have declined so much that only the Mother Superior and two nuns remain. Those two nuns have been making wine on the quiet to keep the convent open. Sales have been good – as is the wine – and the rumour that it comes from the convent has reached the ears of the local newspaper editor who has sent two reporters to “suss out” the truth.
When they go undercover as a nun and a priest at the same time as another nun arrives, the Mother Superior becomes suspicious that one of them is a spy sent from Rome to shut down the convent. She enlists the help of the local priest and between them all things become … well … ludicrously improbable!
Drinking Habits has all the features of a farce, even a bit of a chase – and a couple of surprises. It’s fun – and Chrissie McIntyre and her cast work up to the fun as the improbable plot proceeds.
Sister Philomena (Jenny Anderson) and Sister Augusta (Tonia Davis) introduce the play as they abandon their stitching to bottle the wine – and some communion grape juice. Both Anderson and Davis portray the secretive nervy-ness of the conspiring Sisters, especially when surprised by Mother Superior (Maggie Scott) whom they treat with the reverence and awe Scott demands of them.
All three sustain some of the ‘dignity’ of the habit despite the increasing silliness of the situation – with Scott especially allowing the deviousness of her character to shine even more brightly that her piousness!
They are all thrown off guard by the arrival of bright young Sister Mary Catherine – Sarah Croake – who Scott believes is the spy sent to report on them.
Things become complicated when the two reporters Paul (Michael Mulvenna) and Sally (Gabrielle Rawlings) – disguised as “Father Paul” and “Sister Mary Mary” – meet Father Chenille (Alan Long) who convinces the gardener George (Luke Baweja) to pose as another visiting priest and …
It would seem those are complication enough … but there are still more! And with them comes added panic, pace and some unexpected passion!
It is obvious the whole cast has enjoyed the same “ridiculous amount of fun” McIntyre has had in bringing the absurd humour of Drinking Habits to the stage. It’s the right play to finish Hunters Hill’s year; the right play to raise the spirits of their audiences; and definitely the right play to introduce their 2026 Season.
Carol Wimmer
Photography by Dan Ferris and Grant Fraser
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