NUNSENSE. Musical Comedy by Dan Goggin. Directed by Kyla Thorburn. Musical direction: Barend van der Westhuizen. Presented by Milnerton Players. Milnerton Playhouse.
SHEILA CHISHOLM reviews.
Few would believe that the quiet dignity of five nuns, from Holy Cross Convent, could be undone by a simple disaster. After all, these five spent years caring for lepers on a remote South of France island, where serious disasters occurred daily.
But Mother Superior, Sister Mary Regina (Fiona Carling), second in command Sister Mary Hubert (Fiona Tanner). streetwise Sister Robert Anne (Melissa Sanderson), befuddled Sister Mary Amnesia (Michelle Galloway) and Novice Sister Mary Leo (Georgina Borros) are in a tizz.
This is because they found fifty-two sister nuns dead after eating Sister Julia’s vichyssoise. An unfortunate incident, quite spoiling the quintet’s Bingo evening as now the dead require burial, and funds are non-existent.
Trustworthy down-to-earth Sister Mary Regina solves these financial woes by setting up a successful online e-card mailing website – a scheme garnering enough cash to bury 48 of the nuns. As well as purchasing a home entertainment system, and an 85 inch LED TV, bought to assist the mourning process of the five remaining nuns.
Unfortunately, this go(o)dly act uses up all the kitty, leaving an empty wallet for burial expenses for the four remaining nuns. Sensibly the five pop the deceased into the deepfreeze, until they can raise the undertaker’s charges. But noticing that the health inspector’s inspection is imminent puts the five under huge pressure. So they arrange a fund raising concert at Milnerton Playhouse. “Please help. Buy a ticket or two.”
Amusing characterisations
Nonsense? Yes! But that is what Nunsense is all about … nonsense.
Although Dan Goggin’s music is tuneful, no memorable melodies are among the 18 songs sung and danced to Pierre Robertson’s first-rate backing tracks. It’s Goggin’s lyrics and the team’s energetic pizzazz that gives each character their comic identity. Particularly noted is director Kyla Thorburn’s natty choreography and dab hand at drawing amusing characterisations from each personae.
But great credit goes to musical director Barend van der Westhuizen. Without a conductor for cues, he’s rehearsed the crew to such perfection they never miss an entrance, end together and always sing harmoniously. Well, not always. When Sister Amnesia becomes excited she does occasionally overstretch her vocal cords!
Would when people struggle with forgetfulness they could provide as much humour as Galloway – her ventriloquist-mimicking (“So You Want To Be A Nun”) and the disappearance of her amnesia (“I Could’ve Gone to Nashville”) were two highlights. Sanderson’s Sister Robert Anne is a wise-cracking group comic. She can strip the convent car faster than any mechanic and fancies herself as a witch (“Just Wants to be a Star”). Young, fresh and good teammate Burros aims to revive Sister Amnesia’s’ memory in “Lilacs Bring Back Memories”. Sadly, her ambitions to become the first ever ballerina nun are unlikely to be realised – she’s good but not that good. Tanner – Mistress of the Novices – leads the troupe in Mandy Cardin’s nifty shuffle, step hop tap number, while she and Sister Regina perform a jolly duet in “Just a Coupl’a Sisters”.
Nunsense is jolly entertainment linked by Carling’s Mother Superior’s tongue-in-cheek, excellently timed, no nonsense approach to convent life. Set in a colourful kindergarten classroom, Hannelore and Philippa van Ryneveld designed authentic habits and follow spot operator Lyle Wilson had fun not following with her follow spot.
What: Nunsense
Where and when: Milnerton Playhouse, Milnerton until 21 April 2018
Book: bookings@milnertonplayers.com or 082 267 1061
WS
