Sister Act Production

Sister Act

Our production of ‘Sister Act’, directed by Rebecca Nicol and Judith Neeson, brought this unconventional musical to the stage in November. I had the pleasure to be involved from day one, from rehearsals to performance, and it has got to be one of the best productions St George’s has ever seen.

When passionate pop cover singer Deloris (Georgia) walks in on her gangster boyfriend Curtis (Urja) killing a man, she runs to the police who place her into witness protection. The only issue? Her place of refuge is a convent.

Deloris, accompanied with her backing singers (Georgia, Komal, Sofia & Eilidh) kicked off the show with sequins and sass, singing ‘Take Me To Heaven’. The audience were hooked by Deloris’s fabulous energy and stunning vocals, that brought us all the way through the first act, to the convent’s choir room. In ‘Raise Your Voice’ we are treated to great characterisation from the chorus, each bringing their unique personality to life. As the nuns find their voices, a feeling of community emerges, between the nuns, and also the audience.

Amelie’s Mother Superior is one of the most unforgettable characters. With her old habits (excuse the pun), the relationship between Deloris and the venerable nun starts out rocky. It is refreshing to watch as their differences become a catalyst for much-needed change.

Sister Mary Roberts (Kiera) delivered a heartfelt solo in ‘The Life I Never Led’; sung with feeling and aspiration, her supressed passion for adventure being let loose was a joy to behold.

‘Sunday Morning Fever’ was simply dazzling: dancing nuns in colourful outfits; bible passages taught

through 80’s disco movies; and a seriously impressive rap from the convent’s most senior nun, Sister Mary Lazarus (Grace). It wasn’t just the choreography that shone: the singing, with its layers of melody, was entrancing and a testament to the hours of dedicated rehearsals – trust me, I was there for every single one! All in all, this was a highly entertaining number and a great way to launch into the second act.

It is impossible not mention Curtis’s gang (Eileen, Kedison, Simi, Imogen & Tami), ridiculous in all the best ways; their sequence breaking into the nunnery was hilarious. Watching them trip, stumble and fall into failure was effective at cutting the tension of this otherwise transformative scene as we saw Deloris sacrifice herself in exchange for the nuns she has grown to love. Deloris’s song ‘Sister Act’ was poignant and encapsulated the message of the entire performance: loyalty, devotion, and passion.

Naturally, Covid-19 had something to say about the production. Halfway through rehearsals we learned we would be unable to have any external visitors. Though undoubtedly a big blow, it didn’t stop cast and crew from putting on three amazing performances for the school community.

Sister Act was an energetic production with a lot to say. From rapping nuns to clumsy gangsters, it was a fantastic way to spend my afternoons, with a range of incredible performers. This has got to be one of my favourite St George’s productions, thanks to the dedication of our directors and our actors who gave it their all. Lucia U6