They’ve all got into the act
They’ve spent a month-long school holiday (and a good few weeks of school too) practising their moves and perfecting their lines-and it finally seems like the girls are ready. When the Ladies’ College middle and upper school students stage Sister Act next week they’ll have a lot to live up to-after all, they’ve got Mohamed Adamally directing and a colourful history of theatrical productions behind them.
If a play is to be judged purely on the merits of the enjoyment of its cast, then this is one show sure to get top reviews. When we visited the rehearsal space at the Ladies’ College school hall (incidentally where the play will go on the boards next weekend as well), we were struck by the energy and intensity displayed by the cast. Aren’t they exhausted after a long day of school? “Not really,” says Dhara Gunawardena, who plays a member of the clergy in the play. “It’s a lot of fun.”
It’s been a while for the school in terms of getting back on stage though. Their last production was the Hunchback of Notre Dame in 2008-this production uses an entirely new (and younger) cast and teacher in charge Viranthi Cooray hopes that the audience will have as much fun watching it as they did producing it. What’s not to love about the plot, after all? The story follows the adventures of lounge singer Deloris Van Cartier, who gets called back by her friends at the convent as Sister Mary Clarence to teach music to a group of students in a school doomed for closure.
Chantal Hatch stars as Delores and says it’s fantastic to be back on stage after a long hiatus. “My character is such a ball of energy and it’s a lot of fun playing her,” she says of Dolores. “Even though she’s confronted by this noisy, rowdy class determined not to like her she gives the kids a chance to sing and discover their talents.” Delores’ challenge is in giving this highly uninterested bunch of teenagers some purpose in life-she soon discovers that music strikes a chord like no other. Chantal says she’s trying not to draw on Whoopi Goldberg’s portrayal of her character in the film version because she wants to do this her way. Anyway, “it’s like the movie was written for Whoopi, she’s so good” so Chantal’s focus is on taking Adam’s (Adamally) direction and getting the many numbers and choreography in the musical pitch perfect.
Great characters to play: Back ( left to right); Chantal (Delores), Shevon ( Rita); front ( left to right) Vineshka ( Tanya) and Shenuka ( Ahmal). Pix by M.A. Pushpa Kumara
Achera Ratnavale is Chantal’s onstage antithesis playing the uptight (but secretly soft-hearted) Mother Superior at the convent. “She pretends not to like Dolores,” smiles the actress but adds that Mother Superior actually has a grudging respect for Dolores’ talent for bringing out the best in people. Take Rita Watson, a student from a troubled home with more than her share of talent when it comes to singing. Delores gives her the confidence to take it one step further but Rita’s got bit of a conundrum-her mother definitely doesn’t want her getting any ideas about making her voice a career option. Rita is played by Shevon Mendis-the actress comes from a classically trained background so she’s found it a bit of a struggle to get accustomed to the more RnB and hip hop-style numbers this character has a penchant for. She smiles that getting over her tomboyish ways to portray her character has definitely been worth it.
Shevon is joined by a whole heap of ‘classmates’, each of whom stamps their own unique personality on the show. Sister Act gets its soul from this eclectic and vibrant group of young students; for example there’s the ‘too cool for school’ Taylor, played by Nimaya and forever sleepy artist Sketch (Vinuri). Shenuka’s character Ahmal M’jomo Jaamael is (understandably) ‘obsessed’ with his African heritage and Vineshka’s Tanya is Rita’s supportive best friend. “We try not to use our ‘school choir voices’,” they tell us. It’s actually the kind of music they love to sing because “the music is very modern and upbeat.” Danny (Anila), Maria (Anya), Frankie (Thisaakhya) and Margaret (Najma) are the others who must let their voices take the lead to shine in this class. Caught up in the midst is Delores’ manager Joey (Jayavi).
Julianne is Sister Mary Patrick and says that her “bubbly persona” is perfectly matched by Sister Mary Robert played by close friend Zahadia. Keshana plays Sister Mary Lazarus and says that while they used the movie as a guide of sorts, these characters have been developed on their own and that’s why the play is so close to their hearts. Leanne plays Father Maurice, the school’s wayward principal with occasionally questionable morals. Chiranthi plays the unscrupulous Mr. Crisp who’s determined to close this school down and be on his way. She will tell you that “every play needs a villain,” but this villain just might have met his match in these students and their teacher!
Appearing on our Magazine cover this week – a group from Sister Act: back (left to right): Julianne (Sister Patrick), Chantal (Delores), Zahadia ( Sister Mary Robert); front ( left to right) : Keshana
( Sister Mary Lazarus), Achera ( Mother Superior) and Dhara ( Father Ignatius).