Nunsense. Louth Playgoers. Riverhead Theatre, Louth. 5 - 8 November 2025

Louth Playgoers have delivered a delightful treat with their sparkling new production of Nunsense, running at the Riverhead Theatre from November 5th to 8th. From the very first moment, this joyful musical comedy bursts with character, charm, and an irresistible sense of fun. Tickets are already in short supply for the remaining performances – and with Saturday sold out, it’s not hard to see why!

Nunsense is a show that I have loved for about 30 years and yet it is still not well known. I saw a production on my first visit to the Edinburgh Fringe Festival and have seen numerous productions down the years. This production is one of the best I have seen. Each member of the cast is a musical theatre leading lady in her own right and could carry a show individually. To combine five monumentally talented performers in this production, demonstrates how much talent exists in this region. Every performer has a chance to shine in this show, bringing their skills and talent to bear. I would rater see this show than Sister Act any day. Nunsense is hilariously funny and the absurdist sense of humour that underlies the writing of the show, remains sharp and biting decades after it first hit the stage in 1985.

The set may confuse some at first, as it is actually the set for Grease, with the logo and the Rydell High School crest prominent. This is no accident, and is explained by the fact that the nuns' pupils are shortly to stage the musical and they don't dare replace the stage set for the sake of their little fundraiser show. It proves a useful and flexible staging for putting on a musical/comedy review, trying to raise money for a very worthy cause. I won't explain what that is here; you will have to see the show for yourselves.

The set, props, costumes, lighting and sound all combine to produce a high quality show that is certain to entertain. Jack Pudsey's three-piece-band provides tight backing and keeps every scene moving throughout. The show is wickedly silly and audiences will leave with huge smiles after seeing such a joyful show.

At the centre of all the mischief is the ever-commanding Mother Superior, played with glorious comedic presence by Nicola Law. Her timing and delivery bring both authority and hilarity to the role, making every scene she appears in a joy. Again, no spoilers but I LOVED Law's performance shortly before the end of Act One. She had the audience in hysterics as the Mother Superior loses her composition and descends into madness.

Hayley Wrightam gives a warm and wonderfully soulful performance as Sister Mary Hubert, particularly shining in her musical numbers, where her voice fills the theatre with heart and grace. Her gospel-inspired vocals are monumental and it is worth noting that Wrightam also choreographed the show along with performing in it as well. That is no mean feat but Wrightam is a consummate professional in musical theatre.

The mischievous and streetwise Sister Robert Anne, portrayed by Sophie Burgess, provides some of the evening’s biggest laughs, delivering witty asides and bold character work that the audience can’t help but love. Her bitterness at being overlooked for a solo in the show leads to Robert Anne stepping into the limelight and delivering some mightily powerful vocals whilst drawing some unexpected emotion out of the performance.

In a truly memorable performance, Sophie Browne’s Sister Mary Amnesia is captivating, blending innocence, comedy, and vocal skill with brilliant effect. Her squeaky, ditzy spoken performance is endearingly sweet and confused and remains consistent throughout but Browne blows the audience away as she hits some of the high notes in her solos. She also succeeds in injecting humour into a puppet routine

Completing the group is the sweet and enthusiastic Sister Mary Leo, played by Mollie Tunnicliffe, whose graceful presence and charm add warmth to the ensemble. Tunnicliffe is the youngest cast member but will not to be outshone by any of her colleagues in the cast. Mary Leo is determined to come a celebrity ballerina nun and brings a delicacy to the dance requirements of the role, in addition to demonstrating fantastic comic timing and soaring vocals.

Under the confident and imaginative direction of Gary Starkie, with support from Assistant Director Jed Spittle, the production is fast-paced, engaging, and visually inventive. Musical Director Jack Pudsey leads the music with flair, bringing out the best in every vocal performance and ensuring the songs sparkle as brightly as the personalities on stage.

This production of Nunsense is a joyful celebration of live theatre – funny, heartfelt, and performed with infectious energy. It captures exactly what community theatre does best: bringing people together for unmissable, uplifting entertainment.

Don’t miss out – opening night still has tickets available, but remaining seats for the other performances are extremely limited. With the Saturday show already sold out, book now to avoid disappointment!

Andy Evans - 4 November 2025