Well, I have a confession to make. This entertaining Rockdale Musical Society production was the first version of NUNSENSE I have ever seen. Despite the show being performed on stage and TV since 1985 in many countries including our own, its power was not confirmed in me until now.
Laughter was habit-forming as the well-cast RMS sisters exposed the audience to the many layers of Dan Goggin’s cult cabaret-musical. All performance styles the show requires were faithfully and fluently rendered- whether that be slapstick, vaudeville, ballad, song and dance, vesper chanting, audience interaction, country and western, puppetry, tap, ballet, visual gags or ensemble humour.
The quintet of capable vocalists and character performers had obviously taken vows to drain every last drop of out of their respective roles. These were no novices of comic interpretation and solo or ensemble singing. Their ability to follow fine choreography with fervour accompanied by a solid band made me want to dance into mass the following morning.
Although all cast members were divine, and a nun should not be singled from her peers, special mention must be made of some moments. Leonie Johnson’s Mother Superior possessed comic delivery skills. These and her vocal ability made her a true leader and dynamo in a scapula. Virginia Natoli’s Sister Mary Amnesia was a miraculously strong characterisation which remained consistent to the night’s final amen. The ‘Growing Up Catholic’ number from Rozlyn Vidal’s Sister Robert Anne broke through the slapstick storyline and resonated with greater themes of modern life, religion and change. It was well sung and penetrating dramatically.
The set gave the performers adequate space to move in their numbers and between sections of the story. There was perhaps a little too many unbroken periods of flat bright lighting on the whole set and characteristically restricted costuming. However, the direction and choreography ensured variety in the routine observances of musical numbers and gags. The dinner or drinks-and-show feel to the venue suited the event well. Entries by the cast to begin each act through the crowd en route to the convent school set were also successful.
This interpretation proved to be an exciting and satisfying version of this cult classic. Thanks be to God and to the Rockdale Musical Society.
Rockdale Musical Society’s production of NUNSENSE opened at the Bexley RSL and Community Club on Friday 31st August and plays until Sunday 9th September, 2012.
© Paul Nolan
Tags: Sydney Theatre Reviews- NUNSENSE, Rockdale Musical Society, Bexley RSL and Community Club, Dan Goggin, Leonie Johnson, Virginia Natoli, Rozlyn Vidal, Sydney Art Guide, Paul Nolan.