The curtains were hardly closed after The Algarveans’ very successful run of five sold out performances, when the cast and crew of SISTER ACT - THE MUSICAL were gathered in the foyer of the Lagoa Auditorium to give thanks to Padre Nuno Coelho of Lagoa Parish Church for his valuable contributions to our show.
The director, Carmen Danen, was keen to use authentic set, costumes and props as much as possible to add to the professional look of the show. When approached in September, Padre Nuno was immediately very enthusiastic to help The Algarveans, in any way he and the church could.
He was able to donate three pews from the Carvoeiro Church - no longer needed after a recent renovation. These were put on casters and wheeled on and off stage very easily by the nuns themselves. Padre lent the Monsignor one of his dog collars and three sets of vestments. The candlesticks held by the “altar servers” and the confessional used to open Act Two also came from the Lagoa Church.
To express their thanks for this generous collaboration, the two young “servers”, Zac Patel and Ffion Batten, were given the mission to collect funds from the audience during the interval for each of the shows. The two of them decorated their own collection boxes and with youthful enthusiasm managed to raise a whopping €1,400 euros.
These valuable funds will go to Padre Nuno’s various charities and the upkeep of the five churches under his wing. The Algarveans would like to thank everyone who contributed to this handsome collection and wish you all a Happy Christmas.
For more information about this amateur theatre group see www.thealgarveans.com
Images by Manoj Patel and Nell Martin
