With a 1992 blockbuster film featuring Whoopi Goldberg, Sister Act is familiar to most. Deloris Van Cartier is on the run from her gangster boyfriend Curtis Jackson (Ian Gareth-Jones) after she witnesses a murder, and ends up hiding in the last place you’d expect from an aspiring diva – a nunnery.
She takes the identity of Sister Mary Clarence, swaps her sequins for a habit, and exchanges disco for gospel, leading the desperate choir of eternal sorrow to musical success and learning the value of friends in unexpected places.
Featuring Motown and disco-inspired original music by Tony® and 8-time Oscar® winner Alan Menken, this 2023 tour is directed by Bill Buckhurst.
Landi Oshinowo is brilliant in the titular role, belting to the rafters adorned in sequins and knee high boots in her opening numbers ‘Take Me To Heaven’ and ‘Fabulous, Baby!’, which certainly sets the scene for further fabulousness. Lori Haley Fox standing in for Lesley Joseph is an equally fabulous Mother Superior, delightfully caustic and quick witted in her back and forth with Dolores.
The entire cloister of nuns works in harmony (eventually!) but Lizzie Bea stands out as shy Sister Mary Roberts, coming out of her shell to show off her vocal skills and belt ‘The Life I Never Had’.The trio of goons, TJ (Bradley Judge), Pablo (Damien Buhagiar) and Joey (Callum Martin) are comedy central in their synchronised dances – thanks to Alistair David’s groovy choreography – which does detract from the threatening element of the plot but does create several giggles.
The whole cast is matched in superb comic timing, witty remarks flowing in quick succession and moving the action along. It’s brilliant that while on a much smaller stage than the Eventim Apollo, the production isn’t majorly scaled down. There are a few stripped back instances but the whole production retains its glitzy feel thanks to the ornate churchlike backdrop and jazzy lighting as well asTom Marshall’s sound design creating the atmosphere of a much larger building.
Sister Act raises their voice at Belgrade, Coventry until 14th October. For some riotous fun mixed with a smidge of sentimentality around finding your community buy your tickets here https://www.belgrade.co.uk/events/sister-act/
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Katie Reviews 