Jonathan Harvey is an immensely versatile author, who is equally at home creating serious drama and light comedy, and even in his darkest work the humour is always there. The one thing that permeates all his writing, though, is really sharp, well observed dialogue.
His latest creation, Sisters of Mersey, may be a million miles away from the likes of his Hushabye Mountain or Canary, but it is clear that he takes writing this sort of raucous comedy every bit as seriously.
Following the success of A Thong for Europe in 2023, it was clear that we wouldn’t have to wait long for Harvey to write another piece for the Royal Court stage, and he obviously intends that audiences should have a rip roaring time. If the almost constant guffaws from the audience are anything to judge by, he has hit the spot here. Under the watchful eye of director Stephen Fletcher, the physical comedy of the show plays out every bit as sharply as the almost panto-esque verbal wit, and there isn’t a line or sight-gag wasted in drawing laughter from the crowd.
The story revolves around two nuns, Sister Petra Pottymouth and Sister Fionola Foghorn, played by Lindzi Germain and Keddy Sutton. They have grown up believing that they’re identical twins, despite the obvious lack of any similarity whatsoever, and it comes as no surprise to have it confirmed that it’s the old ‘separated at birth’ trick comes into play when we meet the actual twin to Foghorn as the story progresses.
As narratives go, this one has as many twists and turns as the map of Liverpool that covers every inch of the ingenious set. You can follow the plot if you like (Harvey has been careful to build it in detail) or just go with the flow of the innuendo-laden script, but either way you will certainly have a great deal of fun.
The whole thing is immersed in a musical score, arranged by George Francis, that is full of hits - largely from the ‘70s and ‘80s - and affords plenty of opportunity for the entire ensemble and onstage band to show what they are made of musically. Alongside Germain and Sutton is Emma Bispham who perhaps steals the prize for vocals, especially with her frequently repeated snatches of ‘Video Killed the Radio Star’, but the full cast are on fine form. Natalie Blair, Gabriel Fleary and Keshia Santos complete the sextet of players, and they all put in fine performances.
It would be remiss not to properly mention the set, which has been designed and built by an in-house team. As the curtain goes up it is impossible not to be struck by the more than passing resemblance to Bunny Christie’s designs for Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night Time, and as the play progresses it proves to have just as many magic tricks up its sleeve. Kudos must go to the stage crew who manipulate all of this, which is on a grand scale, with great precision.
Sisters of Mersey is a definite bullseye for the Royal Court, bringing together a very talented creative team and one of Liverpool’s funniest living writers. It is also great to see the force of nature that is Keddy Sutton freed from the Joe Anderson disguise we have so often seen her in on this stage, and given a vehicle to really showcase her comic genius.
Sisters of Mersey plays at the Royal Court until 3rd August.
Star Rating 4 stars
This review was originally written for publication by Good News Liverpool
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| Keddy sutton and Lindzi Germain in Sisters of Mersey - picture © L1 Photography |
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