Camp, chaos and a habit you won’t forget are heading to Battersea this March.
Sister Mary, Soho’s original cabaret nun, is back on stage with her gloriously irreverent musical comedy show, Oh Sister Mary. The show lands at Arches Lane Theatre for a strictly limited run from Tuesday 17 to Saturday 21 March, with performances nightly at 7pm.
If you’ve never met Sister Mary before, imagine a tap-dancing, show-tune belting nun with a wicked sense of humour and absolutely no intention of behaving. Created and performed by actor, writer and director Tim McArthur, the character has built a cult following across London, New York and beyond.
The new show promises an evening packed with singing, comedy, silliness, surprise moments and the occasional bit of audience participation. Think cabaret, musical theatre, a few cheeky games and plenty of camp storytelling. One thing you won’t find is quiet contemplation.
Sister Mary claims she was discovered on the steps of St Peter’s in Soho, part of the rather suspicious-sounding “Sisters of the Third Removed”. She also believes that musical theatre legend Elaine Paige might secretly be her mother. Whether that’s fantasy or divine revelation is something she’s more than happy to explore on stage.
The character has already taken audiences by storm with seasons at Charing Cross Theatre in London, an eight-week run in Provincetown, and performances across New York venues, including Don’t Tell Mama and the Laurel Beechman Theatre. Along the way, the show has picked up glowing reviews, including praise from the London Evening Standard, calling it “relentlessly funny”.
Behind the habit, Tim McArthur is a familiar face in queer theatre circles. He’s written and directed numerous stage productions, appeared in musical theatre favourites, and spent several years directing the iconic Royal Vauxhall Tavern panto. His writing credits include Small Town Boys, Deeper and Deeper and A Word for Mother, while his acting work ranges from Into The Woods to the cult hit Eurovision Your Decision.
But Sister Mary remains his most gloriously chaotic creation.
So if you fancy an evening of show tunes, mischief and a nun who definitely skipped the vow of seriousness, this short run in Battersea might be the perfect confession to make.
Oh Sister Mary
📍 Arches Lane Theatre, Battersea Power Station
📅 17–21 March
⏰ 7pm nightly
🎟 Tickets from £15
For tickets and more information visit: archeslanetheatre.com
