For anyone who’s never heard of Students’ Fest, all I can say is that attending this event is always pleasantly surprising. In fact, for a show that is produced by students studying a variety of subjects ranging from English to Medicine, the standard is always quite high.
These students put copious amounts of energy and time into rehearsing their choreographies and their lines and beat stage fright to give three performances to audiences made up of every-one from parents to politicians, lecturers to casual theatregoers.
Moreover, the event has to contend with many professional theatre companies to attract audiences, so don’t be surprised if the show features acting talent that has previously appeared at some of Malta’s best-known theatres, including the Manoel Theatre. The singing is also done really well.
Over the years, Students’ Fest has evolved from a series of sketches to a full-blown musical production. And this year’s show, Is-Sister Act, was once again a fabulous bonanza. These are my thoughts about the show.
This year’s cast and crew has once again managed to put on a show with a very linear and understandable storyline. Based on the much-loved 1992 smash hit movie Sister Act, featuring Whoopi Goldberg, and the 2009 West End production by the same name, the show grasped all the elements that make Sister Act such a heart-warming and relatable tale.
The main actors did a fantastic job bringing the characters to life. Becky Camilleri, who recently had a role in MADC’s critically-acclaimed Image of an Unknown Young Woman, undoubtedly shone best in the role of the stern, but caring, Mother Superior and gave the character the depth it needed to transition from a potential villain in the beginning to one of the most likable figures by the end.
Michaela Galea also gave a great performance in the main role as Deloris, a glamourous singer who is placed in a convent under witness protection. She belted out some of the most memorable songs from the movie’s now-iconic soundtrack beautifully. She also carried herself incredibly well on stage.
Among the other actors, those playing The Sisters (ie, the nuns), were absolutely great and gave the production the comic effect that elevated it many times.
From the ancient nun played by Chiara Scerri Herrera to the posh nun played by Becky Brincat and the overly-excited (seriously, overly-excited) nun played by Mattea Fenech to the nun who discovered she didn’t want to be a nun anymore, played by Sandie von Brockdorff, each gave a whole new dimension to the story. The best part, however, is that while it wasn’t deep or serious, it wasn’t too superficial, either.
In fact, the cast cracked up the audience many times, particularly during the scene in which they were explaining to Deloris – and the audience – their hopes and dreams and how they ended up at the convent. With a few lines – and the amplification of emotions and stereotypes – each one of them had a moment in the spotlight that clearly defined the character.
Between the jibes at both major political parties and the self-deprecating jokes, these students showed that they are very aware of what is happening around them
Like any other musical, the show also included copious amounts of dancing. In fact, almost every scene in Is-Sister Act included a group dance. This was a way for the cast (and crew – everyone can end up dancing during Students’ Fest) to interact with the audience, as the aisles were also filled up with people moving. I am normally not very fond of audience interaction, but this was a simple, yet effective, way of being there without intruding.
What I liked the most, however, is that for all the great things Students’ Fest has become, it has never forgotten its primary role, which is to bring students from various faculties together to work together. Having so many dance numbers indubitably allowed more people to take part and be up on stage, and that’s wonderful.
The mise-en-scène on the stage and the lighting were not the most elaborate I’ve ever seen, but I would suppose that this was done to minimise waiting time between the change in scenes – after all, we were taken to a convent, a nightclub, the police station and the baddie’s lair, all in the span of an hour and a half.
The one thing I would have done differently was to give more prominence to the band – which were appropriately called Il-Kleru. Also, it would have been easily forgiven were a student production to pre-record the soundtrack to the songs – but this was not the case, which I feel gave them more credibility.
The script was really clever, laced with political jokes, pop cultural references and local slang. It was also intelligently dotted with jokes that put Maltese student life in the spotlight.
References to the stipend abounded and, between the jibes at both major political parties and the self-deprecating jokes, these students showed that they are self-aware and that they acknowledge what is happening all around them.
Is-Sister Act, directed by Steph Dalli, is another wonderful chapter in the colourful journey of Students’ Fest and the 20 dancing, singing, acting, script-writing, staging, make up and costume coordinators (who are almost all University students or recent graduates).
The whole cast and crew created a fun show that, once again, didn’t disappoint. Moreover, they also kept true to the Students’ Fest amateur roots, invoking a sense of comfort. The fact that most of the people on stage don’t take themselves too seriously means that any gaffes add to charm of the show – and put smiles on people’s faces.
As a regular member of the Students’ Fest audience for many years I urge you to experience this event next year, particularly if you’re looking for a funny show populated by dedicated people who are ready to have some fun on stage.
One last word: always be ready to be surprised. This year’s show ended with the Panamanian flag being waved by the cast and crew.