……BILLY SUTER……
THE popular Sister Act The Musical, based on the hit film that starred Whoopi Goldberg, is to have performances from July 1 to 5 at Durban’s Playhouse Drama theatre. It is this year’s choice as a touring production by pupils of Northcliff High School which has annually brought its school musical to Durban to expose pupils to a wider audience and the joy of touring.
Even better news is that this site has four tickets to give away to the show’s Durban opening performance, at 7.30pm on Wednesday, July 1. See the end of this post for competition entry details.
Northcliff High has been bringing musicals to Durban for 26 years – and every one of them has been produced and directed by hard-working stalwart Nick Jourdan, who has dedicated 47 years to directing and producing musicals for the school.
Sister Act will mark Jourdan’s swansong as he will be retiring and handing over the producing and directing reins to Northcliff ‘old boy’ and former participant in five of the school’s musicals, Tumelo Kope-Baloyi.
Regular fans of the musicals may recall it has staged Sister Act before. So why did Jourdan decide to revive it this year?
“It seemed fitting to end on a high note as this show enjoyed huge popularity with its previous airing and has
just completed a highly successful run in Johannesburg,” explains Jourdan, pointing out that the cast features “a great ensemble and some really outstanding performers among the lead roles”.
Sister Act tells the story of Deloris, a nightclub singer who witnesses her gangland boyfriend, Curtis Jackson, bump off one of his goons for snitching to the police. She makes a quick get away with gangsters in pursuit then, when she appeals to the Philadelphia Police Department for help, they arrange for her to hide in a convent with a bunch of nuns until she can testify against Curtis and have him put away.
Deloris’s wayward lifestyle clashes with the austere regimens of the convent, leading to hilarious situations. Following a transgression on her part, she is then tasked with training the nuns’ choir who are in serious need of reform. This
leads to more hilarity…
Lasting and meaningful relationships are formed, with ultimate fulfilment in the mix.
Jourdan says Palesa Taule, a newcomer to Northcliff, gives a notable performance as Deloris, while there are some real surprises in Adam Ahmed as gangster Curtis Jackson and Peyton Bala as the postulant Mary Robert. Also impressive, says Jourdan, is Aimee Lamont as the Mother Superior.
“Audiences have come out of performances of this show beaming and raving. This is the level of entertainment that one has come to expect from this school ,and the show is highly recommended.”
Previous Northcliff productions seen in Durban, after having been staged in Johannesburg, have included Chicago (the first to tour), Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat, Guys and Dolls, Annie, Hello Dolly, Pirates of Penzance, Crazy for You, Anything Goes, High School Musical, Footloose, Me and My Girl, Matilda The Musical and last year’s fun Little Shop of Horrors.
As with previous touring productions, Sister Act will feature a live orchestra of skilled musicians. The eleven musicians will be led by musical director, Matthew Vlok, originallly from Durban.
Performances are from 1 to 5 July with evening performances at 7.30pm and matinees on the Saturday at 2pm and Sunday at 3pm. Tickets cost R120 (R80 for pensioners) – but for opening night, tickets will cost only R60 throughout!
throughout. Booking is at Webtickets.
Note that secure parking is available at the Royal Hotel Parking Garage, with security marshals along the street from the Royal to the Playhouse Theatre.Parking is at a reduced rate when getting your parking ticket validated in the
theatre foyer.
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WIN 4 SHOW TICKETS… WIN 4 SHOW TICKETS…
Care to put yourself in line to win FOUR TICKETS to the 7.30pm, Wednesday, July 1, performance of Northcliff High School’s popular Sister Act musical, at Durban’s Platyhouse Drama theatre?
You simply have to be a follower of the SoSuterBill site to win. At no cost.
If you are not already a follower, click on the word ‘…..SoSuterBill…..’ that appears under Billy Suter’s face on the red curtain at the top of this post. Next, scroll down a little and leave your email address in the blank space alongside the ‘Subscribe Free’ banner. You will then be a follower, and receive email notification whenever a new story is filed on the site.
Once you have subscribed (there is no cost), send your NAME and PHONE NUMBER via email (NOT THIS SITE’S CONTACT FORM) to sosuterbill@gmail.com and place the words ‘SISTER ACT COMPETITION’ in the subject field.
Note that the competition closes at 6pm on Monday, June 22, and the winner will be contacted soon after. His/her name will be posted in this spot thereafter.
Also note that tickets may not be exchanged for another performance and that the prize is for tickets only (not travel and/or accommodation should this prove necessary).
NOTE: PLEASE READ ENTRY DETAILS CAREFULLY AS SOME PEOPLE ARE ENTERING COMPETITIONS INCORRECTLY.
ALSO NOTE THAT ONLY ONE ENTRY PER SUBSCRIBER WILL BE CONSIDERED.
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.....SoSuterBill..... 