The Ayrshire Philharmonic Opera Society (APOS) staged a winning production of Sister Act at The Gaiety Theatre in Ayr on Friday night, drawing huge audiences to the Carrick Street venue.
The musical, based on the 1992 smash hit movie starring Whoopi Goldberg, featured an energetic opening routine with main character Deloris Van Cartier (Mairi McCrindle) and her friends Tina (Vicky Green) and Michelle (Amy Sheddon) singing two songs.
A Disco Queen's Unlikely Refuge
Aspiring disco queen Deloris, a Donna Summer devotee, witnesses a murder and needs protection. Eddie, or "sweaty Eddie," played by Adam Dawson, comes up with an unlikely plan to shelter her in a convent, which astounds her.
Sister Mary Robert, played by Rebecca Swanson, is a fearless character who initially wants things done her way until she sees the light. The convent is in danger of closing without a massive effort, and when Deloris is tasked with taking on the choir, she does not know what she has got herself into.
From Out of Tune to Gospel
The singers are way out of tune, but Deloris equips them with sparkly bright coloured costumes with crosses and takes them out of their comfort zone to produce lively gospel music. This makes them realise how much fun singing can be.
Monsignor O'Hara, played by Ben Galloway, seems snooty at first about the new style of singing but is soon up dancing with the sisters. Money comes into the church in the form of generous donations, with people inspired by the musical revolution.
Meanwhile, bad guy Curtis Jackson (Colin McDonald) and his henchmen Pablo (Ron Swanson), TJ (Robbie Alexander) and Joey (Robin Kendall) plot to prise Deloris out of the convent, trying every trick in the book.
A Top Drawer Production
Deloris' love interest "Sweaty Eddie" intervenes to save the day, and the vastly improved choir performs specially for Pope Paul VI to underline their transformation.
The production featured great musical numbers and glittering costumes reflecting the excitement of the disco era. The main cast and ensemble were in sparkling form to lift spirits during a challenging weekend of weather.
During the interval, a string of hits from 1977 was heard, including Fanfare for the Common Man, Rockin' All Over The World and Carly Simon's Nobody Does It Better. APOS's next production is The Great British Bake Off Musical.
