SISTER ACT – Mossley Amateur Operatic & Dramatic Society

Mossley Amateur Operatic & Dramatic Society never disappoint. Their latest show, Sister Act, was performed to perfection to a sell-out audience at the George Lawton Hall and as I left the theatre all I heard around me, from young and old was, “that was brilliant wasn’t it”.

Shirley Harrison as Mother Superior and Kayleigh Ann Strong as Deloris in MAODS production of Sister Act (Picture: Martin Ogden) I have to be honest and admit that the Musical Sister Act is one of my favourites. It’s got music by the eight-time Oscar winner Alan Menken, who also wrote Disney’s Beauty & the Beast, Little Mermaid, Aladdin and many others. His work is legendary and Sister Act is no exception. I therefore went with high expectations as I’ve seen the show at professional level in the West End, on the UK tours and in Am/Dram.

The version I saw this week by MAODS was the best version I’ve seen. Kayleigh Ann Strong was perfect as Deloris, the character played by Whoopi Goldberg in the original film, on which the musical is based. Kayleigh led the cast brilliantly and never missed a beat. Her singing was outstanding.

Shirley Harrison as Mother Superior had the part she was born to play and her heartfelt rendition of Here with these Walls was note perfect, while Rosie Plummer had the challenge of playing Sister Mary Robert, the young postulant. She developed the character, as we went along and sang The Life I never Led so well, that I teared up as I sat transfixed.

Jon Crebbin, John Harrison and Nick Ward were hilarious as the sidekicks to Rob Haslam’s villain Curtis Jackson and Samuel Maurice had perfect timing and made us all love Sweaty Eddie. In truth I could go through the whole cast and I wouldn’t be able to find fault in this perfect production. Samantha Hughes, who has theatrical blood coursing through every vein in her body and on into her talented son, who I’ve seen treading the boards professionally, was Sister Mary Lazarus. I’ve seen Lesley Joseph play that part professionally and Sam was just as good.

The nuns chorus in MAODS production of Sister Act (Picture: Martin Ogden)The real stars of this theatrical triumph, though, were the ensemble. There were over 20 playing Nuns during the big show stoppers and every one of them were totally in their parts, harmonising so well that the musical director Paul Firth must be bursting with pride.

Director John Wood must also be a contender for an award for this amazing show, along with choreographer Jane Wood. There wasn’t a step or a movement on that stage that was wasted and the lighting, sound and set were of a professional standard.

If this show doesn’t win awards galore then I don’t know much about Musical Theatre. I’ve seen around 40 shows so far this year, on the West End and Broadway stages, touring shows at venues in Liverpool, Leeds, Bradford, Manchester and Salford and this was one of the very best. Kayleigh, Shirley and Rosie in particular take a bow. You certainly took me to Heaven!

IAN CHEESEMAN