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EDINBURGH FRINGE REVIEW: Nuns of Fury! – Rocket Whip Productions
EDINBURGH FRINGE THEATRE REVIEW: Nuns of Fury! – Rocket Whip Productions
There’s nothing quite like a night at the Fringe where you walk into the theatre expecting a fun show and instead find yourself clutching your sides with laughter, tears streaming down your face, and your heart lifted by pure joy. Rocket Whip’s Nuns of Fury! did just that. This multi-award winning rock gospel musical comedy made its EdFringe debut in spectacular fashion, and I can safely say: these sisters have well and truly got into the habit.
The story follows a trio of crime fighting nuns straight out of a holy spin off of Charlie’s Angels. With their trusty Mother Superior guiding them and Father Q supplying a confessional box and comic relief, the sisters find themselves battling villains with karate chops, slow-motion stage combat, and a good dose of gospel infused sass. With a plot that’s easy to follow and villains that feel like they’ve stepped straight out of a Saturday morning cartoon, the production struck the perfect balance between parody and heartfelt fun.
Rocket Whip, a queer, female led theatre company from the North West, is known for original productions that give space to new voices. Under the sharp and joyful writing of Liv Burton and the expert movement direction of Natalie Patuzzo, this production flowed seamlessly from scene to scene, every beat landing with precision. Burton’s original songs were catchy, toe-tapping, and full of meaning, with each one adding to the story and sending the audience home humming.
The cast shone as brightly as a spotlight on centre stage. Emily Spiers as Sister Agnes was a delight to watch; fun, entertaining, and demonstrating a strong acting ability that grounded the chaos around her. Hannah Millington’s Sister Gabriel was bold, bright, and larger than life, her performance bursting with energy and charisma. Meanwhile, Molly Hirst’s Sister Julian gave a convincing and memorable turn as the pregnant nun who never once dropped character. Her dance ability was strong, and her commitment kept the audience hooked.
Emily Millington as Mother Superior gave a commanding performance: unforgettable, animated, and blessed with strong vocals that filled the theatre. Chris Williams as Father Q had the audience on his side from the moment he appeared; funny, lighthearted, and consistently entertaining, his use of the spot light effect to signal his confessional box entrances was a clever and hilarious touch.
The villains of the piece, Adam Gardiner as Benny and Hayley Boutty as Angela, were a pure joy. Their cartoonish, physical theatre performances with expressive faces and exaggerated movements felt like watching a live action Pink Panther skit. You couldn’t take your eyes off them, and their dance ability only added to the comic charm.
The staging was simple yet effective, proving that minimal set can be a blessing in disguise. Rather than cluttering the space, Rocket Whip used physical theatre to brilliant effect, ringing imaginary doorbells, opening invisible doors, and typing on typewriters that weren’t there. Each moment added to the comedy and kept the audience engaged. Costumes were simple but fitting, and the lighting design cleverly enhanced the action without overpowering it.
The choreography by Molly Hirst deserves particular credit, simple but effective, with great shapes and clean transitions that allowed every performer to be seen and showcased to their best ability. The fight sequences, blending stage combat with clowning, were Fringe theatre at its finest: clever, comical, and full of timing that had the audience in stitches.
Perhaps what stood out most was the community feel. Rocket Whip’s passion for theatre and inclusivity radiated from the stage. From the first gospel chord to the final bow, the atmosphere in the theatre was one of pure joy. This was a small cast, but the impact was enormous, a night of fun, laughter, and entertainment that reminded us what the Fringe is all about.
In short, Nuns of Fury! is divine comedy at its best. These sisters fight crime, spread joy, and deliver a night of holy hilarity that is not to be missed. Forget repentance, get your tickets to their next show and join the congregation.
Reviewer: Abigail Bradbury - AMT Productions
Date: 19.08.25
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Meet Our Reviewers
Bwalya Mutale-Kibaris
Bwalya Mutale-Kibaris has always enjoyed writing, whether it be fictional stories, the first 10 pages of a script or book, or writing reviews for random brochures back in her university days! Bwalya loves putting words together to create something that is hopefully informative, engaging or at the very least, easy to read and understand! She is grateful to AMT Productions for giving her the opportunity to write a review for a play in 2024. This was a rewarding learning experience that Bwalya will take with her to all future ventures as she plans to fill much of her time writing with the hope of leaving readers suitably entertained.
Rebecca Topping
Rebecca Topping studied Drama at Queen Mary University of London and has been writing and producing plays professionally for over 10 years. She has experience of performing and directing on London’s West End and is currently teaching Comedy and Drama for the Pauline Quirke Academy of Performing Arts and working creatively in communities for a charity in Birkenhead. With sell out runs of comedy shows in London, Liverpool and Edinburgh, she is no stranger to the jokes and gags needed to have an audience in stitches.
Abigail Bradbury
Abigail is a Choreographer, Director and Movement Director for professional and amateur large-scale musicals, plays, films and pantomimes across the UK. Abigail has worked extensively within the industry, appearing in her first TV series at the tender age of 6. Abigail HAS Radio, Film and television credits with BBC, ITV, BBC Merseyside Radio and Heart Radio. In addition to her radio and television credits, Abigail’s professional performing career also includes leading roles in ‘Peter Pan’, ‘Pied Piper’, ‘Her Benny’, ‘Christmas Carol’ and ‘David Copperfield’, in a variety of touring theatres across the UK, AND HAS recently performed in ‘Shrek the Musical’, ‘Chitty Chitty Bang Bang’ and ‘The Sound of Music’ at the Liverpool Empire.
Abigail has always had a passion for teaching and sharing her knowledge and skills within the theatre industry.
Matthew is a Director of AMTP LTD and has also starred in multiple TV & film appearances, Matthew has been involved in large scale productions of both theatre and fashion events throughout his life and has a passion for the arts.