Review – Nunopoly 2: Mo’ Nun, Mo’ Nopoly
How do you solve a problem like Sister James McCann? As a young girl growing up on the mean streets of Mexico City, the little McCann’s first habit was less religious than that it was narcotic. Moving on from a world of gang conflicts that would destroy lives, McCann then channelled her formidable entrepreneurial spirit into the game of Monopoly – a pursuit that would only destroy relationships. After achieving champion status, and subsequently spiralling into yet another drug addiction, her next transformation would see her emerge as the sassy Sister we see today. Here brings us to the end of Nunopoly: How To Play Winning Monopoly And Live A Fulfilling Life In Christ, the first installment of Sister James’ saga, brought to us at last year’s Fringe.
This year, Sister James is back in Nunopoly 2: Mo’ Nun, Mo’ Nopoly. Ascending the stairs of Horner and Pratt, we are met by the lilting gasp of the piano accordion – like fellow Sister Julie Andrews, Sister James McCann is a soulfully adept songstress. Here you have a choice: to sit in the front row – in this cosy room, bringing you confrontingly close to the wrathful majesty of a fiery-bearded nun – or to not sit in the front row. With the Sister’s James Brown-like exuberance, there is no place to hide, so why even try? From the front row, you are all the better placed to see her lipstick smeared wimple – a reminder of the passionate, red-blooded heart that lies beating beneath the habit? A slap in the face of the virgin/whore dichotomy? Or maybe just an indication of McCann’s personal grooming practices. You be the judge.
The jokes come loud and fast, and take no prisoners. You will laugh at the ridiculousness of Greek surnames. You will laugh at the abject poverty of South American countries. You will laugh at the plight of orphans left to the mercy of capricious nuns. And of course, you will laugh at the Catholic Church. But aside from the excuse it gives us to take off our politically correct hats for 50 minutes, let’s not forget the show’s real message – it is the Word, and the Word is Monopoly. Come prepared with a question about the game that has had Marx rolling in his grave for the past 131 years, and you will have the opportunity to learn from the only Monopoly master who can officially claim to have god on her side.
Thou shalt not be disappointed.
