Darlington Operatic Society's Sister Act

TWO new mothers will share the lead in Darlington Operatic Society’s forthcoming production of the musical Sister Act.

The role of Deloris Van Cartier, originally played by Whoopi Goldberg in the 1992 hit film, demands a singer with a “belting voice” and having two people play the role on alternate performances will help preserve their voices over the 11-day run at the Civic Theatre.

The doubling up is doubly welcome for Rhiannon Walker, making her debut with the society, and Claire Wilmer because it fits in with family life. Both have young children – Rhiannon has four-year-old Emily and one-year-old Charlie, while Claire’s son Max will be barely four months when his mum steps out on stage in Sister Act.

The pair will play alternate performances, with one doing the opening night and the other the closing night. “It works out better having two of us considering how intense the role is. It will give our voices a rest because Deloris is pretty much on stage for the whole show,” says Rhiannon.

The main attraction was the show itself which Rhiannon, like Claire, saw when it toured to Sunderland Empire. She appeared with local groups, including Stockton Stage Society as a child, and professionally in pantos in Middlesbrough. “But I haven’t done anything for years. I put it on hold after having my little girl,” she says.

“Now I’m getting back into the swing of it, I’m enjoying it. When we’re being directed and blocking out the songs, it’s nice to see someone else’s take on it and how they are playing the role.”

Claire, who has appeared in society productions before, echoes those thoughts. “It’s great we can share because the part is so huge. We watch each other in rehearsals and learn from each other. You don’t usually get to see someone else play the part you’re doing.

“It’s the same lines, same movement, same set and same rest of cast, but there’s also the different aspects to our personalities. We’re allowed to do our own thing. There are times we sing together in rehearsals side-by-side and find we are singing differently.

“I went to see the show in Sunderland for my birthday a few years ago and thought I would quite like to play that role. When I heard the society was doing the show I thought I’d listen to the album and when I heard it I got tingles all the way through my body. I just loved it.”

She auditioned two weeks before her baby was due and says it was probably quite funny seeing her sing in her condition. “I felt I had to do it. I had not had a child before, so didn’t know how my life would change. Some people told me I was crazy, some said go for it. I said I’m going to go for it because it feels right.”

In Sister Act, Deloris take refuge in a convent that’s fallen on hard times to escape from her gangster boyfriend after witnessing a murder. She puts on a nun’s habit and soon the whole convent is singing along to raise funds.

“Deloris is very extrovert, quite bolshie. She’s very forward, but that’s a front she puts on. It’s a guard she puts up so people can’t see who she really is. She wants to be this diva and is very fame-hungry. She thinks that’s what she wants in life, but through the show starts to realise that’s maybe it's not the most important thing,” says Rhiannon.

“It’s different to the film, just loosely based on the characters. It’s the story of a woman from a totally different background going into a situation and having to choose – and being accepted in a circle where she never thought she would fit in.”

Claire, a singer on the North-East club circuit who also teaches singing, is glad to be back with “my lost family” as she describes the close-knit society. “I like being able to have some me-time. It’s with my friends. I get to sing. I haven’t sung in a while. I don’t think I will ever give up on Darlington Operatic. It’s part of me now. When I started off in The Producers, I didn’t know it would be so much in my life,” she says.

Society chairman Julian Cound knows people might find it a bit strange not only that two performers are sharing the role, but that Deloris isn’t being played by a black actress like in the film. “The truth is, the story is not about race or colour – it’s about people from completely different ends of the spectrum learning about tolerance, friendship and how working together can result in the greater good,” he says. “The role of Deloris was originally written for Bette Midler, but she turned the role down saying that her fans didn’t want to see her in a wimple.”

Sister Act: Darlington Civic Theatre, Oct 22-Nov 1. Box Office: 01325-244659 and darlingtonos.org.uk