As an NSTA ambassador, I had the pleasure of attending Repton School’s production of Sister Act on Thursday 13 November 2025. With Direction by Jon-Paul Cooper-Richards and Musical Direction by Katie Staggs, this was an excellent example of polished, high-energy musical theatre from start to finish. The show combined sharp choreography, vibrant musical numbers, and committed performances to create an evening that was both joyful and heartfelt.
Sister Act: The Musical follows Deloris Van Cartier, a nightclub singer who goes into hiding in a convent after witnessing a crime. While struggling with the strict lifestyle, she transforms the convent’s choir with her vibrant spirit and soulful voice, uniting the community and discovering the power of sisterhood. It’s a joyful mix of comedy, music, and heart-warming moments that celebrate friendship and individuality, showing how Deloris’ influence empowers the nuns to embrace confidence, purpose, and joy.
The production made effective use of a minimal but versatile set, with slick transitions that maintained the show’s pace and energy. Lighting designed by Repton pupil Jonathan contributed significantly to the atmosphere, from the vibrant use of the stage-frame lighting to create a party mood, to the intimate spotlighting that highlighted Mother Superior’s soul-searching moments and Dolores’ triumphant realisations. His thoughtful cues enhanced the emotional pacing of each scene, subtly guiding the audience’s focus while adding visual depth and polish to the overall production. The excellent musical accompaniment directed by Katie Staggs was polished and ensured the show had a dynamic and well timed delivery.
The role of Dolores was played by Enaka, whose charismatic presence and vocal power anchored the production. She gave a truly inspiring performance with powerful and mature vocals that belie her years. It was easy to see how Dolores was able to inspire such enthusiasm from her fellow nuns; especially during her soulful performance of “Raise Your Voice”. Her performance grew in depth as her relationship with the nuns – particularly with Mother Superior, played by Izzie – developed over the course of the show. The evolving dynamic between these two characters provided both humour and emotional resonance.
Izzie delivered a stand out performance as the conflicted Mother Superior. Her emotive performance was engaging throughout and provided excellent accompaniment for other members of the ensemble cast. This is a tricky role for a young actress that was delivered with apt maturity and poise, capturing the inner conflict of a leader torn between duty, faith, and compassion.
Other notable performances were given by Henry in the role of TJ, who brought excellent humour, timing, and physicality to every moment on stage. The hapless ‘gangsters’ in Curtis’ gang; of which he was a part of, provided comedy and tension in equal measure. Louis, as Officer Eddie demonstrated a tenderness and vulnerability that made the audience truly connect with him. His performance ensured that we were all rooting for him to “get the girl.” Freya as Mary Lazarus was also a delight to watch; fun and feisty in equal measure with excellent timing and physicality- especially her rap and dancing during “Sunday Morning Fever” was truly a memorable moment!
Meanwhile, Lottie gave a strong and thoughtful performance, showcasing a balance of vulnerability, warmth, and comedy with fantastic use of facial expressions. She brought a grounded sincerity to every scene, ensuring her character felt both relatable and memorable. Her timing – both comedic and emotional – was consistently sharp, and she demonstrated an impressive ability to shift between quieter reflective moments and energetic ensemble work with ease.
The ensemble work was excellent throughout, with confident delivery of choreography, vocal harmonies, and physical theatre elements that enhanced each scene. Their collective energy and commitment helped tie the production together and elevated the storytelling. Particular moments of note were during “‘I Could Be That Guy” where they helped to set the scene whilst still managing to allow the focus to remain on Eddie’s emotive lament.
Repton School’s Sister Act was a lively, polished, and heartfelt production, showcasing impressive talent both onstage and behind the scenes; they are a credit to the school and Jon-Paul Cooper-Richards’ direction. The creative team and cast worked in wonderful harmony to deliver a show that was as uplifting as it was entertaining, leaving the audience energised and genuinely moved. It was a production that demonstrated not only technical skill but also a deep understanding of the joy, humour, and sense of community at the heart of the musical.
National School Theatre Awards
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