Recently, students from Colchester Royal Grammar School put on a energetic performance of Sister Act. Here is a review of the experience from Co-Director of the school production, Ella Harvey.
Elodie and I were assigned the prestigious task of directing the school musical in May. After many discussions about which we’d do, and a vote, it was confirmed that we’d bring ‘Sister Act’ to the CRGS stage.
Excited by the prospect of the show’s potential, we got to work straight away, working closely with the rest of our creative team, including two stage managers, two choreographers, a production manager, and a marketing manager.
The weekend before show week, the cast and crew rehearsed all weekend. Firstly, a full run through, so we could make any final adjustments; a run through with the orchestra/ band and a technical rehearsal for Act 1 with all the lights, sound effects, checked the mics etc.
On the Monday before opening night, we ran through the show with the Year 7’s, who are all involved in the school musical, and we had a full run-through of Act 2 with the tech team.
Unsurprisingly 20 nun costumes had been hard to find or get made, so we had hired them from a local company in Great Dunmow. The effect was worth it and by the end of the dress rehearsal, we were feeling delighted, hopeful, and excited about opening night, Tuesday the 21st of November.
To our absolute pleasure and surprise, the show was a hit! Many teachers credited it as “the best show CRGS has produced in the last 25 years”. It was such an amazing feeling to know that we had envisioned and created such a triumph of a show.
We were so blessed to work with such a talented cast and crew who made the whole process such an enjoyable experience, and we hope they enjoyed it just as much as we did. They truly are ‘Fabulous, baby’!
11 weeks ago, we started with a blank stage, two directors, a cast of 30, a handful of stage crew and a script. Now, we had glitzed up the school hall with a huge mirror disco ball, transformed the space into a church, and a bar, and an alley way, and a police station; who knew the school hall could be so versatile!
Sister Act is a show about embracing what you’ve been given, determination and learning to love others for who they are. We are so grateful to the music department and the school for giving us the opportunity and trusting us with the musical. We’re so glad it was such a hit and can’t wait to come back and watch next year's production.
Ella Harvey and Elodie Roper, Directors, Sister Act, CRGS School Production 2023
