'Sinful' temptations a hit in Nunsense

UNINHABITED: The cast of Nunsense - Siobhan Connor (left), Bridget Connor, Bex Johnson, Susanne Richardson and Courtnay Fafeita - discover the cookbook they were planning on selling is full of misprints.

Ever seen nuns in ballet shoes, fruit bowl hats and feather boas? No? Then MATS' latest show will be a sight for sore eyes.

The society's midyear offering is Nunsense, by US composer (and Catholic school graduate) Dan Goggin - the tale of five sisters in the midst of organising a talent show.

At first, I thought it a bit risky of MATS and director Doug Davidson to opt for a lesser-known show with a small cast, as opposed to a big-name production with the big chorus lines. But, Nunsense is every bit as outrageous, glitzy and frolicsome as the premise suggests - and the cast are, as usual, excellent.

The musical tells the story of the nuns of Hoboken Convent in New Jersey, who need funds to bury their fellow sisters, poisoned by the convent cook. They decide to put on a variety concert at the local school, with the set of their production of Grease still on stage - and tap routines, cabaret numbers, nun jokes and the aforementioned feathers abound.

And, in the usual fashion, things go hilariously wrong.

Bex Johnson led the ensemble cast as Mother Superior Sister Mary Regina, a former circus performer who yearns for the spotlight.

Johnson delivered a near flawless performance, lending her rich contralto and skill with a feather fan to her solo numbers - and providing uproarious physical comedy in a scene where her character discovers some "sinful" temptations.

Susanne Richardson kept the caustic one-liners coming as Mother Superior's second-in-command Sister Mary Hubert, and gave a formidable rendition of a gospel tune in the finale, reminiscent of Whoopi Goldberg in Sister Act.

Siobhan Connor, with her exquisite tones and pink ballet slippers under her habit, was the vocal rock of the show as Sister Mary Leo, the endearing novice with dreams of being "the first nun ballerina".

Providing the swagger was Courtnay Fafeita as the "streetwise nun" Sister Robert Anne, who is initially shunted into an understudy role.

While she didn't have the strongest voice - though her "sleazy club number" was fabulous - her "shimmies" and facial expressions charmed the pants off the crowd.

The undisputed show-stealer was Bridget Connor as Sister Mary Amnesia, who has lost her memory after a crucifix (of course) fell on her head.

I later learned that Connor had a severe case of laryngitis - but she nonetheless sparkled, with her adorable lispy Brooklyn accent, doddery mannerisms and comically clumsy dance moves.

I found the story to be a bit frivolous. But there are plenty of great, catchy tunes about leper colonies, doing ballet warm-ups during prayer, avoiding temptation and achieving sainthood. And the dance routines - ballet, tap, burlesque, jazz, and something resembling Carmen Miranda - are delightful.