ONCE A
CATHOLIC
Directed by Liz Ritson
NODA Review
As the programme stated, "irreverent,
controversial, not for the faint hearted but thoroughly
entertaining." This play has had an enormously successful
run in the professional arena, and since it has been in the
amateur field has met with equal success. It is
controversial, but those in the audience who could relate
to the convent regime were laughing all the way through. It
was directed with expertise by Liz Ritson although I did
wonder if there were times when cross lighting would have
been more favourable than blackouts?. There are eighteen
scene changes in act I and eleven in act 2 so it is a
marathon for any stage manager. Bobbie Day, as always, rose
to the challenge, together with her quiet efficient team.
The three main characters, Mary Mooney, Mary McGinty, and
Mary Gallagher were superbly played by Natalie Cooper, Emma
Bartlett and Cassandra Moon. Mother Thomas Aquinas played
by Rene Clitheroe showed how short sighted some
educationalists could be in her assessment of the three
girls. Mother Peter played by Barbara Wolfe was more
worldly and slightly sympathetic in her handling of the
situations that arose during the course of the play; she
extracted all the humour from the part. Cathy Hurley's
portrayal of Mother Basil was typical of the middle-aged
nun who was humourless and always seeing wrong in
everything. Paul Kirkbright also gave a brilliant
performance as the street-wise Derek delivering his lines
with worldly knowledge and without inhibitions. David
O'Brien as Cuthbert, the would-be priest was convincing in
his insincerity. Jim White as Father Mullarkey was not
quite as sure of himself as he could have been,
nevertheless, he was still able to draw out the humour.
Quite the best characterisation of the whole play was David
Baistow's Mr Emanuelli. I have seen this part played more
as a buffoon on a number of occasions but David really got
to grips with the sadness and poignancy of the character
and his final speech to Mary Mooney was quite brilliantly
executed. All the other Marys were confidently depicted.
Thank you C. A D. O. S. for another splendid evening.
