One cannot fault a single member of the
cast of 25 for lack of effort or enthusiasm. (Review by Keith Millar)
Northcliff High School from Johannesburg
needs to be commended for the importance it places on the performing arts.
Sports tours, most commonly rugby and
cricket, are regular events for many schools. However, few of them ever tour
with a major stage production.
This year marks the 20th year that
Northcliff High has brought its annual production to Durban for a season on a
professional stage at the Playhouse Drama Theatre. The benefits derived from
this tour by the young performers is immeasurable. They must benefit hugely
from this special and enriching experience.
This year Northcliff High is offering the
Comedy Musical, Sister Act. The Musical
which is based on a 1992 movie which starred Whoopi Goldberg and Maggie Smith.
It tells the story of night club singer
Deloris van Cartier, who witnesses her gangland boyfriend, Curtis, shoot and
kill a suspected police informer. She then has to hide out in a convent until
she can testify as witness to the murder. At the convent she meets the Mother
Superior who, to keep her out of mischief, charges her with coaching the nuns’
choir. She turns it into a singing sensation, which is invited to sing for the
Pope.
Over the years, the Northcliff productions
have had their ups and downs. Some years their productions have received
considerable critical acclaim and were declared not to be out of place on the
professional stage. While other years productions have not quite measured up to
those high standards.
Unfortunately, Sister Act The Musical falls into the latter category. Having said
that - if it is judged purely as a high school production, it is not bad at
all, but it is I feel it is a little out of place on the professional stage.
However, one cannot fault a single member
of the cast of 25 for lack of effort or enthusiasm. They all display boundless
energy and passion and are obviously deriving great pleasure from their
involvement in the musical.
The few stand-out performances included
Pride Mncube in the lead role of Doloris Van Cartier. This young lady is only
in Grade 9 but is already a pretty accomplished performer. She has a pleasant
and strong singing voice, even if it did let her down on some of the high
notes,
Also of note was Mathew Vey as the gangland
boss Curtis. Built like a rugby forward, he surprised with his slick dance
moves. He also has a good singing voice and managed to portray considerable
menace in his role of the baddie.
The performance I particularly liked was
that of Shannon Howard as Sister Mary Robert. She probably has the best singing
voice on display and excelled with her solo, The Life I Never Led.
Touring a major production such as this,
every year, is no mean feat, with everything from the performers, musicians,
staff, sets and props having to be transported to Durban.
The man behind it all is the inimitable
Nick Jourdan. He has been the director and producer of all the Northcliff
productions which have toured to Durban and has been involved with the
performing arts at the school for 36 years. Some past pupils who have been
influenced by his tutoring and have gone on to make a name for themselves in
the entertainment industry include singer Connell Cruise, Samantha Peo, the
acclaimed singer and actress, and the multi-talented Jonathan Roxmouth.
The annual Northcliff High School
productions have something of a cult flowing in Durban. One hopes all the fans
will turn out again to support this truly worthwhile endeavour.
Sister
Act The Musical runs in the Playhouse Drama Theatre
from until July 1, 2018, with performances from Tuesday to Saturday at 19h30.
There will be an extra show on Saturday (June 30) at 14h00 and a matinee on
July 1 at 15h00. Tickets R110 (R90 pensioner/senior citizens) booked through Computicket.
– Keith Millar
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