Lift your spirit with Winston’s Sister Act!
The transformative power of music is clear to see in The Winston Churchill School’s production of Sister Act, showing at The Rhoda McGaw Theatre. The show celebrates music, laughter, and the bonds that help us keep our faith in our darkest moments. Eve led the production as ambitious performer Deloris, who dreams of singing in a white fur coat. She was desperate to find fame at the sleazy club run by her no-good boyfriend Curtis, played by Ethan, who clearly relished the villainous role. His gang of cronies had audiences roaring with laughter as they struggled to run a successful criminal operation - how tough can you be in a pink leotard?
When Deloris witnessed a shocking event at the club, she was whisked away by the heroic (if a little sweaty) police officer Eddie, played by Josh. Hidden in a run-down convent, the vibrant, clowning Deloris met her match in the form of serious and stern Mother Superior, in a split role, played by Natasha and Daisy. However, the enthusiastic nuns made Deloris, and the audience, feel welcome very quickly. You couldn’t help but fall in love with Evie and Emma’s perky, earnest Sister Mary Patrick, the crazy but loveable Sister Mary Lazarus played by Eleanor and Imogen and Sister Mary Robert, sweet and uncertain, played by Emilie and Ellie.
As always the cast was made up of students from Years 7 to 11, and each year group shone with talent in acting, singing and dance. Guided by a supportive and committed Performing Arts Department, the students handled all of the backstage running of the show, the lighting and sound, and the choreography of beautiful routines. No Winston show is complete without a live musical accompaniment, and the live band, comprised of both staff and students, provided the upbeat soundtrack to every twist and turn. Soon the nuns, and the audience, were singing in harmony, restoring the convent to its original glory.
As Deloris realised that singing and celebrating with her sisters was the true source of wealth and happiness, it was clear that students involved in this year’s production were also full of the joy of music. Sister Act lifts the spirits with its infectious sense of humour and the obvious excitement of every student onstage, and restores one’s faith in the power of friendship, and disco tunes.
