Sister Act

My goodness 4SIXTEEN have certainly come a long way in the eight years I have been seeing their shows. It's one of my great delights to watch the progress of the pupils going through their various year groups as they learn their trade and mature into confident performers under the guidance of this extremely competent teaching staff. And this show directed by Tara Hutchings, brought a whole new dynamic to the table, pure high-octane entertainment from beginning to end, which after all is why any of us go to the theatre.

Surprisingly, this was the first time 4SIXTEEN had used their Studio One theatre to present a show fully in the round. So there was no set as such and therefore the only furniture needed during the entire show was a set of tables and benches for the dining scene and a couple of chairs for a scene between Mother Superior and Deloris. But what was clever was their use of the floorspace, aisles and even the spaces behind the audience, at times you had no idea from where the next piece of action was starting. That said at no time did they lose their awareness of the audience, continually changing angles to ensure all four parts of the auditorium were equally entertained.

Lighting in the experienced hands of Ben Cronin was of course up to his usual standard and never missed a cue. The school is going to miss him when he leaves. The happiest people in the auditorium however must be the sound desk (Emily Green and Jack Serino), who have new toys to play with. A whole new state of the art sound system has been installed with a built in intelligence that chooses which two of four speakers is the most appropriate at any given time. And my goodness what a difference that has made, this deaf old NODA rep can now hear almost every word.  I say almost as enunciation and projection are still important skills to remember, with which I did struggle on a few occasions. Just because you are wearing a face mic it doesn’t mean every word will come across clearly.

Costumes sourced from Wacky Wardrobe were superb, with three different styles of Nun Habits from black, to a bright red cross on the front, neatly folded and hidden for the most part, to a pure white for the finale. A very stylish set of purple sequined outfits for the night club singers and imitation Al Capone style suits for Curtis’s gang.

The excellent musical direction was in the very capable hands of Emily Green and Jack Serino.  And what a super job they did, not a beat missed or a bum note sung that I heard.

Choreography by Daniella Reynolds and Sophie Kelk was dynamic and well executed from the opening scene, all the way through to the final scene, and the audience loved it. Not easy when the majority of your cast are wearing Nun’s habits! Very clever use of the side aisles as well.

Verity Edmonds as Deloris Van Cartier, has during her time at the school now matured into a very versatile, competent and confident leading lady, and with her powerful voice and sense of timing she carried the show perfectly.

Backing her up in the night club were Deloris’ singers,  Nikol Zhivkova (Tina), Jasmine Edmonds (Nina), Sophie Cullen (Sabrina), Ruby Nugent (Michelle) and Vanessa Zhivkova (Rochelle), who gave us some thoroughly entertaining choreographed routines opening with ‘Take Me To Heaven.’

Darcey Murphy was the exasperated Mother Superior, trying to cope with the errant Deloris, providing us with some of the best comedic moments. Deftly done!

Sister Mary Roberts is one of my favourite characters in this show and has some of the best lines, and Daisy Loft certainly carried this off to a tee! Lovely version of ‘Life I Never Led.’

Meanwhile, Ethan Chantrelle as Monsignor O’Hara swept majestically through the nunnery in his white robes dispensing advice and a calming influence in the face of Mother Superior’s ever-increasing exasperation.

Sebastian Tekell-Mellor as our baddie, Curtis Jackson was the one person even more exasperated with Deloris than the Mother Superior, using his facial expressions in particular and mouthing dialogue to show it, which he did so well he even received the classic, appreciative, pantomime baddie boo when taking his bow.

Oliver Rodgers as Officer Eddie Southern, aka Sweaty Eddie, had one of the standout moments of the show with a fabulously moving rendition of ‘I Could Be That Guy.’ It started off almost inaudibly, but he built it to a fabulous crescendo that left a lump in your throat. Super stuff!

Sister Mary Patrick, played by Ava Kelly, another one of this budding crop of fine young actresses, brought the humour to the convent with some of best delivered quips.

Bethany Rogers played the oldest nun Sister Mary Lazarath and did a pretty good job of showing the creaking bones. Nicely played character part.

Another wonderful stand out moment was Harrison Clifford-Simmons as Joey with his rendition of ‘Lady In the Long Black Dress,’ which brought the audience to its feet and I’m still laughing now. Absolutely brilliant bit of comedy!

Other members of Curtis’ armed and dangerous gangster crew were Arlo Loft (TJ), La Quinthia Barrett (Pablo), Spencer Hunter (Blaze). Max Campbell (Tommy) and Owen Allender (Ernie).

Ruby Crook (Sister Mary of Tours), Nica Bedeau (Sister Mary Irene), Willow Woodfine (Sister Mary Celeste) and Sami Clements (Sister Mary Stevens) added plenty to proceedings with various quips and their excellent voices.

 Mia Young, Madison English, Faith Mazwi, Ella Kelly, Iyobosa Osula Ehigie, Merali Sisodia and Holly Jo Clarke-Cree made up the Nun’s Chorus. And Jordan Moore, Lois Nugent, Kelsey Sparkes-Robinson, Ella Thomas and Grace Hunt were the general chorus.

Congratulations then to Director Tara Hutchings, her cast and crew for what was a fast paced, highly amusing and very well executed, powerful piece of full-on entertainment, which received a well-deserved standing ovation. These youngsters can be very proud of themselves. And so can the School! The bar has just got a bit higher and as I always say – Follow that! I’ve absolutely no doubt they will.

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