**** (4 stars)
“Magnificent”
Venue 13 isn’t the easiest to find – I was very grateful for a huge banner with an arrow pointing me towards the hall as I made my way down the Canongate. It was well worth the effort! Sister Sophia is the product of Toronto company The Universe Over 60: Lisa Randall as Sister Sophia gives us a lot to think about as she watches through the night after the death of her dear friend Sister Beatrice.
I was born and raised a Catholic, and educated in convent schools – so I am very familiar with nuns. Some of them are lovely, some are demons in disguise: without the diligent service of nuns of many different orders, the church would probably have fallen apart many centuries ago. It’s certainly challenged today, when there are fewer men coming to the priesthood. The number of nuns is also falling as those who’ve given their lives in devoted service in schools, hospitals, parishes, communities, and who knows where else finally go to their eternal rest, leaving diminishing numbers to serve an ever-greater need.
Sister Sophia is one such devoted woman who’s given her life to God – from the age of sixteen to now: fifty years of being married without ever having physical contact with her bridegroom, of conducting what is in effect a one-sided relationship. She talks to her husband throughout the night: is it too much to ask for an answer? Sister Beatrice was firm in her faith; it was she who encouraged and supported Sophia when she was doubting; and now she’s gone – hopefully into the arms of her bridegroom – what is Sophia to do?
Lisa Randall is magnificent as Sophia. Her superbly mobile, expressive face speaks volumes; her speaking voice is wonderfully flexible; but it’s her singing voice that is the highlight of this piece for me. Whether it be singing a traditional Latin adoramus te, an intriguing twist on Ave Maria, two gorgeous new compositions and an unforgettable rendition of Tom Lehrer’s Vatican Rag [which itself is worth the ticket price], it’s an aural joy and delight that brings life and colour to what could be, but most definitely isn’t, a monotonous monologue.
Sophia’s conversation with God touches on so many things it’s impossible to catalogue them all – but I resonate strongly with many of them – the serious and the incredibly funny [and there’s a huge amount of very funny in this piece!]. I’ve very happily become a Quaker – which at least means that the ‘men do all the big stuff, women pick up the pieces, grease the wheels, sweep the floor and keep the show on the road’ idea simply isn’t an issue. But I so recognise the ‘why don’t you talk to me? Show me a sign? Give me at least a hint that you’re there?’ type of questions are always hovering – and, of course, the whole ‘oh gosh I could really do with a hug [or more] here’ issue of physicality doesn’t go away just because you’ve taken a vow of celibacy!
If you’ve never thought about nuns as human beings, make your way down the Canongate and discover the very human being underneath that habit. Sister Sophia is very much a human being: laugh with her, empathise with her, sigh for her – and find out what she decides to do now that her bestie has gone [we hope] to heaven…
Sister Sophia Kicks the Habit, The Fringe, Main Space at Venue 13 Runs until 21st August for more information go to: Sister Sophia Kicks the Habit | Edinburgh Festival Fringe
ScotsGay Arts 