Drinking Habits
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https://www.huntershilltheatre.com.au/whats-on.html
Date Reviewed: 15/11/2025
Hunters Hill Theatre’s rendition of Tom Smith’s Drinking Habits, directed by Chrissie McIntyre, is a spirited farce wrapped in habit and heart. Beneath its slapstick exterior lies a tale of secrecy, redemption and the quiet resilience of those who live behind convent walls. Adapted for 1980s rural Australia, where telegrams still buzz and grape juice masks something stronger, this production finds warmth in chaos and humour in disguise.
The plot centres on two nuns at The Convent of the Sisters of Perpetual Sowing, who secretly switch from selling grape juice to brewing wine to keep their convent afloat. Enter Sally and Paul, undercover reporters and ex-fiancés, on the trail of mysterious winemakers shortlisted for an award. Their arrival coincides with Sister Mary Catherine, a new postulant suspected of being a spy sent from Rome. What follows is a cascade of mistaken identities and fortuitous quid pro quos.
The first half delivers emotional texture. The orphaned pasts of Sister Mary Catherine and Paul, disclosed in separate scenes, add depth, grounding the comedy in something tender. George, the groundskeeper, shares a wistful love story that lingers in hope. These moments of vulnerability offer contrast to the hilarious chaos that follows. The second half races toward resolution, with fortuitous coincidences neatly offering an 'all is well that ends well' finale.
The ensemble delivers with gusto. Sister Philamena and Sister Augusta are a masterclass in comic timing. Their wide-eyed panic and deadpan delivery anchor the chaos. Father Chenille and Mother Superior keep the laughs coming as lies unravel. Muffled guffaws erupt when Paul appears in increasingly absurd disguises. And Sally’s expressive reactions punctuate the action with precision.
The set is nimble with props that serve the story well. Lighting and sound cues are tight, and the pacing doesn’t falter. The stage offers space for secrets and second chances. Club Ryde, on the ground floor, offers a convivial space for post-show reflection and refreshment. The troupe runs a smooth operation with a thoughtful printed program, sponsored by local businesses, an intermission offering an opportunity to connect, and a box office that hums with efficiency.
Drinking Habits is more than a comedy of errors. It is a celebration of community, storytelling, and the kind of laughter that binds strangers into something more!
Book tickets to see Drinking Habits HERE
Cast:
- Jenny Andersen: Sister Philomena
- Tonia Davis: Sister Augusta
- Luke Baweja: George
- Maggie Scott: Mother Superior
- Michael Mulvenna: Paul
- Gabrielle Rawlings: Sally
- Sarah Croake: Sister Mary Catherine
- Alan Long: Father Chenille
Production Team:
- Director: Chrissie McIntyre
- Production Manager: Jenny Barnes
- Stage Manager: Penny Church
- Set, Lighting & Sound Design: Wayne Chee
Reviewed by Ketvi Roopnarain