Nun on the run

May 9 2016 | By More

Encore bring Sister Act to Brunton

Encore is stepping out onto the Brunton stage again this week with an all-singing, all dancing production of Sister Act.

Based on the film staring Whoopy Goldberg, the musical follows the fortunes of aspiring disco diva, Deloris Van Cartier, who is taken into protective custody after seeing her hoodlum boyfriend commit murder.

The cast of Sister Act. Photo: Encore

The cast of Sister Act. Photo: Encore

The twist is that the only safe house that can be found is a convent. There, disguised as a nun and under the suspicious watch of Mother Superior, Deloris helps the sisters find their voices as she unexpectedly rediscovers her own.

The stage show transplants the action to Philadelphia in 1977, enabling the music to be more disco-inspired, but otherwise stays close to the plot of the movie.

Which has given Encore choreographer and cofounder Heather Antonelli a different kind of challenge to those posed by recent shows from the company – Oliver! and Me and My Girl.

“The show has a real seventies vibe to it,” Antonelli told Æ, “so I’ve enjoyed unleashing some Travolta moves from the cast!”

blessing

It has not just been dancing technique and disco moves that the East Lothian-based company has been working on, either, Antonelli reveals.

It's a blessing - The cast of Sister Act set out from Seton Sands for their walk to the Brunton. Photo: Encore

It’s a blessing – The cast of Sister Act set out from Seton Sands for the Brunton. Photo: Encore

“It has been lots of hard work, she adds. “Especially for our nuns who went into training in a serious way with our “Nuns on the Run” sponsored walk from Seton Sands to the Brunton Theatre.

“They raised over £500 and we had lots of support – cars tooting and cyclists calling out as they received a blessing as they passed by.”

Encore’s production was well into rehearsals when it was announced that a major professional version of the show would be opening in Leicester this summer and touring to the Playhouse next year, with direction by Craig Revel Horwood and staring Alexandra Burke as Delores.

Not that testing her mettle against the likes of Craig Revel Horwood holds any qualms for Antonelli.

“In the words of Craig” she said: “I’m sure our show will be just as fab-u-lous!”

Listing

Sister Act
The Brunton, Ladywell Way, Musselburgh EH21 6AA
Wednesday 11 – Saturday 14 May 2016
Evenings: 7.30pm.
Tickets and details: www.thebrunton.co.uk

Encore on Facebook: MusicalYouthEncore
Encore website: www.musicalyouth.co.uk

ENDS

Tags: , , , , , ,

Comments are closed.