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| Sister Mary McArthur |
‘The Roar of the Greasepaint, the smell of the crowd’. No, that’s not right! ‘The Smell of the Greasepaint, the roar of the crowd’. I am so excited! Here I am sat in my dressing room at the Landor Theatre in Claphaaam, putting on my makeup for my debut performance in the musical 'Nunsense'.
I have never played a part in a musical before- well apart from the donkey in the nativity but that does not count really - tres excitement! My character in ‘Nunsense’ is the Reverend Mother Mary Regina, she’s a feisty thing, cares about her convent, her fellow nuns and she is very bossy (not like me at all).
The story of Nunsense is basically, Sister Julia child of god has served up some Vichyssoise soup and nearly all the sisters die instantly of botulism. They managed to bury 48 of the 52 dead sisters, but the remaining 4 dead Sisters are place in the freezer. The evening’s performance is a fundraiser to raise the cash to bury the remaining 4... it’s a loose plot but a lot more complex than some major West End musicals.
The rehearsal period was very interesting, I have never worked with a director before, he guided me, told me what to do and lifted me when I was low - a bit like the lord really.
It is so wonderful and exciting to be part of an ensemble as well, as all my other theatrical work has been solo or with Brother Matthew at the organ (he has one of the biggest organs in the Catholic Church).
I have fond memories of my work with Brother Matthew, several appearances around various London Theatres, a season at Don’t Tell Mama New York (so good they named it twice) opening the New Space Theatre in Cape town (amazing experience, I was very moist).
So as I said it’s wonderful to be working alongside such a talented bunch of nuns. I am not too sure why they are all men, that’s beyond me, I am the only lady and it does make the dressing room a little bit awkward.
The first preview was very nerve wracking as we only had 8 days rehearsal which I was juggling with my responsibilities at St Peter’s as well as organising coffee mornings, teaching Zumba to the over 60’s and leading knitting workshops with ex-prostitutes. Anyway, we got through our 5 previews and I have to say it was a major learning curve. My hat goes off to all professional actors and also all the creative who are the hidden magic behind theatre.
We are now in our second week, I am enjoying every minute of it, each night I say a little prayer to the lovely baby Jesus and I think he is watching down on me every ball change and line I say on the Landor stage.
But finally I could not do this show without the support and love of my fellow nuns back at St Peter’s. Who knows where my love and gift comes from for entertaining, maybe to the lady who left me at the doorsteps wrapped up in the Stage newspaper? Attached was a short note which read: "This has fallen out of Elaine Paige, please look after it for Elaine Paige, kiss kiss kiss Elaine Paige…. Mummy I love you wherever you are .. out there in the dark?"
Hey diddle dee an actor's life for me…
Sister Mary McArthur
Sister Mary McArthur is the hilarious alter ego of theatre star, director and radio presenter, Tim McArthur. Nunsense marks Sister Mary's musical theatre debut. Previous appearances include ‘Cabaret’ at the Purcell Room, Jermyn Street Theatre, Gilded Balloon, RVT, West End Eurovision and abroad in Capetown and New York. She has also performed at Elton John’s Christmas Party .
Tim McArthur started his career as an actor. His theatre credits include Sam Byck in Assassins by Stephen Sondheim at The Pleasance London, Bewitched Bothered and Bewildered (Jermyn Street Theatre) and South Pacific (Aberyswyth). He is also a director (credits including She Loves Me at the Ye Olde Rose and Crown Theatre) and a Radio Presenter (The Curtain Up Show and Jemm 3).
Nunsense runs at the Landor Theatre until 28th July 2013.
Please visit www.landortheatre.co.uk for further information and tickets.
Click here to read West End Frame's review of Nunsense.
Follow @West_End_Frame
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