SET, costumes, lights, and so many other unseen aspects of staging a production are so often overlooked.

Members join a Society and look to perform on stage but all their efforts would be for nothing if it were not for the incredible group of friends, members and supporters who are prepared to give of their time to form the Production team. Jo Ward, Production Co-ordinator, recently met with members of his team as they plan the last steps before getting together with the cast which has been rehearsing for more than 20 months.

No matter what the singing sounds like or the dancing looks like it is important to recognise that the overall look of any production is down to the technical aspects that can be added.

This year the lighting and sound are being fronted by Chris Welch who has helped create a different look from the "round" that many of you will have become familiar with in recent CODS productions due to the need to perform in the safest conditions due to the recent Covid restrictions.

Sue Sparham and her team have the tricky job of making sure that the costumes are touched by as few individuals as possible and to that end has created a "buddy" system where cast members are in small bubbles to help themselves dress.

Anton Heal and his team have been working at CODS store which is based near Zeal Monachorum and once again due to the Covid restrictions the set is being made as minimal as possible. So many others are working behind the scenes, like Mike Palmer who has taken this and many other photos used to advertise the show, to make sure that not only the production can be staged but also that it is done in the safest way for both cast and audience members.

"Sister Act" is being performed in the hall at Queen Elizabeth’s Barnfield campus from Monday, August 9 to Saturday, August 14. Tickets are priced at £15 for adults, £12.50 for concessions and £10 for Under 16s.

They can be ordered either by going to the Box Office link on CODS website which is: www.codsonline.com or emailing me direct via: [email protected] .

It has been a long journey for the cast who have stayed positive throughout the time when the production has had to be twice deferred. Just like a greyhound at the start of a race they are now raring to go and have a production that will put a smile back on your faces after such a long period of having to cope with recent problems.

Mike Canning