Sister Act

Make Your Mark have certainly expanded somewhat since I first came to see them back in 2022 and they certainly don’t hold back when it comes to large scale productions. This version of Sister Act had four directors, Mrs Farnworth, Mr McKenzie, Mrs Purcell and Ms Day and probably needed them as it had a total cast of over fifty to direct. That’s certainly is grand scale dramatics and not surprisingly with that size of cast the entire run was sold out. And from the quality of their efforts we saw meant that there were a lot of proud parents, grandparents and siblings leaving the theatre at the end of the evening having been thoroughly entertained by this class production.

The play first followed the famous Whoopi Goldberg 1992 film onto the stage in 2006 and tells the story of Doloris Van Cartier a night club singer who witnesses her gangster boyfriend commit a murder and has to take refuge in a nunnery, which has a lasting effect on the resident nuns and in particular the Mother Superior through her influence on their initially very out of tune choir.

The stage at Mark Rutherford School is, and with a cast this size needs to be, vast. It is a long rectangular hall divided down the middle lengthways with tiered seating along one half and the remaining floor area for the actors and orchestra. The set which I assume was hired in, was truly spectacular representing the inside of a church with two very tall columns reaching to the very high ceiling placed on both sides of the stage depicting the stonework and beautifully painted stain glass windows. The back wall continued the same theme also being decorated in a series of stain glass window. Other scenes were depicted with the use of extremely large backcloths. It certainly set the scenes very well indeed. The ten-piece orchestra was positioned front stage right. The very hardworking backstage crew under the Management of Mrs Farnsworth were a very efficient outfit as they set each scene and quickly removed the various props.

All things technical were designed and run by Miss Ellson and Mr McKenzie. The lighting was excellent, spot-on cue and appropriate to every scene, Sound cues the same and the very loud gunshot had us all jumping out of our seats! Unfortunately, there were problems with the face mics which did affect the volume and sound quality. Strangely, it seemed to affect the boys more than the girls.

Costumes coordinated by Mrs Farnsworth and Mr McKenzie, consisted mostly of course of Nun habits, for some scenes including a very striking white tabard with a gold cross, quite a sight in the final number with all the female cast.  Fabulous sparking silver dress for Deloris

Music was live under the direction of MD Mr Phelps and Mr Sobiechowski and Mark Rutherford appears to be blessed with an excellent staff / pupil band so well done to Emerson Tucker (Flute), Mr Sobiechowski (Trumpet), Lizzie Maples (Euphonium), Jasmine Judd (Violin), Nikodemus Dos Santos Leonardo (Violin), Zahra Mughal (Keyboard), Fraser Williams (Guitar), Aidan Moore (Bass), Daniel Major (Drums) and Mr Phelps (Keyboard). Great job!

During the three-night run Deloris, Mother Superior, Sister Mary Roberts, Sister Mary Patrick and Monsignor O’Hara were played by two actors on alternate nights, we saw the Wednesday night crew.

Elisabeth Kunga, as Deloris van Cartier was undoubtedly the star of this show with an excellent voice together with great characterisation, demonstrating a wide range of emotions. Great sparing between her and Millie Wells as the Mother Superior, who was equally as good and also with a fabulously powerful voice. All very well backed up by the supporting cast of Nuns, Ella Price (Sister Mary Roberts), Julia Odwrot (Sister Mary Patrick), Able Babolola (Sister Mary Lazarus), Amy Flemons (Sister Mary Martin-of-tours) and Rose Quy (Sister Mary Theresa)

Elnathan Opebiyi as gangster leader and murderer Curtis looked and swaggered around looking every bit the budding hard man, getting more and more animated in his quest to find Deloris. Very well pitched. His mottle crew of misfits were equally menacing, Bradley Tazviwana (Pablo), Marlon Guhwa (Joey), William Devitt (Ernie) and Prince Ndungu (TJ). You certainly wouldn’t want to cross any of this gang!

Riley McGrath as ‘Sweaty’ Eddie Southern the police officer, who takes it upon himself to hide Deloris at the Nunnery was particularly good especially when he was assessing his own demons and his hate of his own nickname, which gave this slightly comic character both sympathy and pathos. Well-pitched!

And Jacob Orr as Monsignor O’Hara had a kindly expression that made him a very believable priest. Who wouldn’t want to give him their confession.

And well done also to the vast cast of over fifty who made up the various characters Deloris encounters along the way, especially the large chorus of Nuns.

But what impressed most was the Choreography by Mrs Wells, Mrs Talbot and Mrs Taylor. Some of was which was extremely complicated. The hours that must have been put into what were incredibly well drilled routines on a grand scale were breath-taking at times. The final number, ‘Spread the Love Around’ was especially eye catching with a stage full of practically the whole cast, which was a fitting highlight to very well-rehearsed show.

So, congratulations to the four directors, their cast and crew, that was a terrific piece of theatre of which Make Your Mark can be very proud.

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