PLOS brings popular West End musical to Wandsworth Fringe Festival

Sister Act, the popular movie starring Whoopi Goldberg which was turned into a highly successful Broadway and West End musical, will receive its South West London debut next month, as Putney Light Operatic Society (PLOS) brings it to Putney Arts Theatre.

The show has only recently been made available to amateur societies, and PLOS, one of the longest-established companies in the area, fought off stiff competition from other societies to be the first to perform it this year. The show forms part of the line-up of this year’s Wandsworth Fringe Festival.

The show has attracted a large cast, including 25-year-old Lancastrian Emma Coffey, who plays the lead role of wannabe starlet Deloris Van Cartier –made famous by Whoopi Goldberg in the 1992 film.

Emma, who moved to London in 2011, was heavily involved with musical theatre while studying at Warwick University, and is performing her first lead role for PLOS. Emma said:
“I had just finished a show for another company and wasn’t really ready to start rehearsing another show, but when I heard that PLOS was going to be performing Sister Act I had to come along and audition. I was delighted to be given such an amazing role, and I’ve had a great time rehearsing with everyone.”

Sister Act tells the story of struggling nightclub singer, Deloris, who witnesses a murder and has to go into police protection. While gangsters, led by mob kingpin Curtis (Kob Yeboah) try to track her down to stop her from testifying, Deloris is disguised as a nun and hidden in a convent where she clashes with the strict Mother Superior (Nicola Roscoe).

However, over time, both women realise that they can learn from each other. Deloris helps her fellow sisters find their voices as she unexpectedly rediscovers her own. A sparkling tribute to the magical power of music and friendship, Sister Act gives plenty of reasons to rejoice.



Sister Act Marks a return to PLOS for director Damian Sandys, after six years of directing professional productions in the West End, on tour and the fringe, where his work brought him into direct contact with Whoopi Goldberg whilst she was appearing in Sister Act. Damian said:
“This is a fantastic production, with a great score, energetic company numbers, and even a few tear-jerking moments. There really is something for everyone, and I’m really looking forward to our audiences enjoying it as much as we’ve all loved rehearsing it.”


April 23, 2015