SISTER ACT Weymouth Pavilion
FORGET the Whoopi Goldberg movie of the same name, this is an all-singing, all-dancing live show that sparkles from start to finish, thanks to the enthusiastic young members of WOW, Weymouth’s remarkable Youth Musical Theatre group.
Ultra American in its concept and plot, the less said about the storyline the better, except that it gives the producers the opportunity to be wonderfully creative, with exotic costumes, big song and dance numbers and orchestral arrangements that show off the talents of the musicians as well as the youthful singers.
It all begins with an unlikely combination of a murderous street mob and a convent full of nuns who are brought together by nightclub performer Deloris when she seeks a hiding place after she witnesses a fatal shooting by her boyfriend. The nuns are quickly converted by her from off-key oddities to hot gospel and disco dance ravers which revives the flagging convent and saves it from closure.
A predominately female cast all give electrifying performances, with Fern Pritchard in the leading role as Deloris taking a firm grip on the show, while Ada Barume is in equally fine form as the Mother Superior.
Charlotte Allen takes on the role as the naïve prospective nun and her lovely singing voice is a real asset to the show while Reine Beau Anderson Dudley is a comic star as the eccentric old nun with a few surprises beneath her habit.
Among the male roles, Callum Heinrich and Richard Brockwell-Trehane play good guy and bad guy to perfection among a large and talented cast in which it is impossible to name everyone.
Martyn Knight is WOW’s great asset as director and choreographer with Martine Burt as his assistant, while musical director Heather Reed inspires the orchestra to great heights and the long serving and dedicated President Janet Stockley continues in her role as chorus master. And if the songs in the show are not top of the hit parade, they certainly portray the flavour of soul and the teenage cast add to them all the energy and fizz that is certain to bring down the house at every performance.
The production continues until the end of the week including a Saturday matinee.
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules here