Sister Act Wins National School Theatre Award for Best Ensemble
St Gabriel’s School is thrilled to announce that its Senior School production of Sister Act, performed at the Arlington Arts Theatre on 4 and 5 March 2025, has been awarded Best Ensemble at the prestigious National School Theatre Awards.
The award was presented at a ceremony at the Gillian Lynne Theatre in London on Monday 23 June.
The entire cast was nominated for the Best Ensemble 2025 category, with three Year 11 pupils – Apple, Lizzie and Issy – also nominated for individual awards: Best Actress in a Musical, Best Supporting Actress in a Musical, and Best Female Musical Solo, respectively.
For the entire cast to be recognised at this national level is a tremendous achievement, especially as St Gabriel’s was competing against more than 60 of the UK’s most prominent state and independent schools. The award celebrates the collective energy, cohesion, and passion of the full cast and creative team.
The National School Theatre Awards’ official review praised the production, stating:
"More than just a school play, this was a celebration of acceptance, empowerment, and the sheer joy of musical theatre, creating memories that will undoubtedly resonate for years to come."
Reflecting on the win, Ruth Chaplin, Head of Drama at St Gabriel’s, said:
"This award recognises not just the incredible talent of our students, but their resilience, teamwork, and ability to elevate one another on stage. Winning Best Ensemble means everything—it reflects the spirit of what we do in Performing Arts. It was a privilege to work with such a dedicated and passionate group of young performers."
Principal, Ricki Smith added:
“This is a moment of immense pride for St Gabriel’s. Our pupils' passion, creativity and commitment to excellence shone brightly in this production. The national recognition they have received is richly deserved, and I congratulate every pupil and staff member involved.”
The National School Theatre Awards, presented by The Ministry of School Arts®, are renowned as the "Oscars for Schools", celebrating the best of school theatre and providing pupils a platform to showcase their talent and gain recognition from professionals in the arts industry.
We are immensely proud of all our pupils who took part in Sister Act, and of our Performing Arts team whose vision and expertise continue to raise the standard of school productions at St Gabriel’s.