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24/9/2017
Being Gangster in Sister ActMartin Kelly, who will be playing Curtis in our upcoming show, gives insight on how the show is shaping up so far  My name is Martin Kelly. I was born and raised in Rochdale but have done most of my recent performing in Toronto, Canada, having lived there for six years. Most of my work to date has been in musical theatre, taking on varied roles such as Oliver Warbucks ('Annie'), Harold the Hermit ('Young Frankenstein The Musical'), Alfie Doolittle ('My Fair Lady') and Senator Fipp ('Urinetown') among others. Most recently, I was seen as Patsy in 'Spamalot' with Heywood AODS and can also be seen as Vittorio Vidal in Whitworth AMDS' production of Sweet Charity... just 2 weeks before Sister Act opens... so my life is pretty hectic right now with rehearsals for one show or another but I wouldn't trade it for anything! In Sister Act, I'll be playing the part of Curtis. He's the archetypal gangster that Dolores is hiding from after she witnesses a murder. He's cheap, tacky and dangerous... VERY dangerous! When I heard they were looking for people to audition for the show, I knew I wanted to be involved! Like many others in the cast, I remember watching the movie (25 years ago now!!) and thinking how much FUN it was! It's one of those movies I can watch again and again and never tire of. The musical is just as much fun... it has fabulous music, great comedy and this cast is SO talented!! I mean, those singing penguins... NUNS!! I meant NUNS!!... anyway, they just blew me away when I heard them singing together for the first time and I know they'll do the same to each and every person who comes to see the show! Oh... and us guys might warble a tune or two too (can't let those girls have ALL the fun, right??!!). Seriously though, I genuinely believe in this cast and the creative team behind us! We have a fantastic show that needs to be seen and if you don't leave the theatre thoroughly entertained... well, I might have to send the boy's around to change your mind and that ain't good... just ask Dolores! Sister Act will be on at The Bury Met from 18 - 21 October. Book your tickets today!
27/8/2017
Directing Sister ActPhil Harrison discusses directing Sister Act and why its a must-see show! I attended the first London preview of Sister Act at the Palladium on 7th May 2009 - my birthday! I fell in love with it immediately. I was even sat behind Alan Menken, the composer for the show! I knew I had to go back later in the run to see Whoopi play Mother Superior. I have seen Patinia Miller, Alexandra Burke and the incandescent Cynthia Erivo play the title role professionally. So it is definitely a show I know very well and it close to my heart!
This is the first show where me and my better half are on the production team together. Myself as Director and Jason as Choreographer. We are Fantastically supported by Sarah Day’s role as MD. We all love the film, and although it's a great movie soundtrack, Alan Menken has written a fantastic disco score to the musical. I tend to direct plays more than musicals however, I have been doing musicals for 20 years across the North West. It is a completely different ball game and a nice change of challenge. The production is stripped back and minimalist. I am trying to use as few blackouts as possible and trying to integrate scenes to help them flow better. We've only had 10 weeks to put the full show on – which is difficult. Over the summer period it is even harder! However everyone is working their habits off and the show is shaping up brilliantly. Book your tickets today! |
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