★★★✰✰
Squeezing a musical into the tight confines of the Fringe’s standard 60-minute runtime is no easy feat. However, the immensely talented cast and creative team behind the original musical We’ll Have Nun of It pulls this off confidently.
Inspired by real-life stories from the writers’ families, the story captures a year in the life of four friends at an Irish Catholic boarding school in the 1960s. Veering between pop, soul, Irish folk, and choral music, the audience are taken on a lively yet touching journey that explores the agony, joy, and frustrations of those living in the restrictive environment of convent school life.
The contemporary musical incorporates various dramatic themes including sexual abuse, female oppression, loss, Irish immigration, faith, and sexuality. Even with this complex variety, each theme is explored sensitively with the endearing characterisation at play heightening the play’s message of female empowerment. United by hardship, they form their own sisterhood, harnessing the emotion provoked by adversity into a joyful display of resilience.
There is a powerhouse of talent on stage, each actor showcasing their powerful yet soul-stirring vocal arrangements while simultaneously delivering raw and endearing performances. Each cast member carries their own instrument throughout which are creatively woven into the narrative by becoming props in-between musical numbers. Sadly, there are times when these accompaniments drown out the singing, making it really difficult to understand and fully appreciate the singing. Despite this, the inclusion of an on-stage band really accentuates the thriving portrait of unity and friendship. Musical numbers vary from fun and energetic dances to tender and profound ballads, vividly articulating the character’s emotional journeys.
The play bounces between themes and various stories, without enough time to let the emotions digest. This can create a slightly rushed feeling, leaving you yearning for more time with the characters. An example of this is the sweet blooming relationship between Mary and Eliza where we are meant to be immersed within this conflict of religion and sexuality. Yet these scenes lose their poignancy when we’re abruptly thrown into another character’s story.
Even with the problems with sound mixing and a slightly hasty pace, We’ll Have Nun of It is a vibrant production bursting with catchy tunes and beautifully executed by a cast full of rich, harmonious voices.
We’ll Have Nun of It will be performed at Underbelly Cowgate – Belly Button from 22-27 August at 3:50pm as part of Edinburgh Fringe.
Words by Katie Heyes
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