Libby O’Donovan has become something of an expert at assembling Fringe and Cabaret Festival shows. At first glance, Sister Elizabeth suggests a gentle piss-take of the musical nuns of popular culture, particularly Maria von Trapp. While that element is certainly present, O’Donovan also returns to a familiar theme in her work: celebrating trailblazing women, this time by highlighting the social contribution nuns have made – and continue to make.

The show opens with a lively gospel medley – Are You Ready for a Miracle, Bound for Glory, Oh Happy Day, Rock of My Salvation, Old Time Religion and When the Saints Go Marching In – which O’Donovan caps with a soaring melismatic flourish.

Libby O’Donovan: Sister Elizabeth. Photo supplied

Appearing in a nun’s habit may be a deliberate cliché, but Libby soon explains she was, in fact, ordained a nun at 18 thanks to a glitch at the Australian Taxation Office. Apparently, the ATO decided she needed an upgrade from the saintly title she had bestowed upon herself on a form...