It’s unusual to have a show return to one of our biggest stages a year since it was last here. If you want to be precise, it’s actually 53 weeks since SISTER ACT: A DIVINE MUSICAL COMEDY made it to the Wales Millennium Centre and completely sold out. And that is why this show is anything but usual.
There is something about this 30 year old classic which still touches a chord with theatre goers everywhere. The story, the songs and the heart in this tale pretty much guarantees a feel-good night out, and that’s exactly what we had last night in a packed Donald Gordon Theatre, with an audience once again wild with anticipation.
Which is where we start, with some feedback from last night’s Sister Act fans……
The show is based on the 1992 film of the same name, which starred Whoopi Goldberg. It tells the story of the diva (ish) Vegas type lounge singer Deloris Van Cartier (LANDI OSHINOWO) who witnesses her mobster boyfriend commit a murder, in case you’d forgotten it was Harvey Kietel who played him in the movie. To escape him, the police put her in witness protection in probably the last place you’d expect to find a potty-mouth nightclub singer – a convent full of nuns.
If you’ve seen the movie you’ll know exactly where the story is going, but the show has a fresh lease of life on stage. Setting it in 1977 Philadelphia is actually a touch of genius. Somehow the disco era works so well and when you throw in the glitter and sequins, you have a night in disco heaven (no pun intended).
Like pretty much everyone in the audience last night, I love the movie, but for me I actually think it works even better on stage. Perhaps it’s the incredible music from Oscar-winning composer ALAN MENKEN, the guy who did Beauty and the Beast and The Little Mermaid) lyrics are by his collaborator GLENN SLATER.
This is where the stage show is very different. It doesn’t use any of the ‘hit songs‘ in the film, instead, we get new numbers which I guarantee won’t disappoint. The musical soundtrack is every bit as good as that in the movie, in fact I’m hard pressed to remember any of the original tunes as I still have the new ones playing in my head.
Delores, or Sister Mary Clarence as she becomes, is the star of the show, and Landi delivers a fantastic performance. Landi has been in everything from Shrek to Sweet Soul Music, but from her huge smile, as she belted out great songs, she looked tlike she was having as much fun as we were. She is really great in the part and boy can she belt out a song. She’s everything you’d want in Delores, a bit of swagger, a lot of sass and plenty of sympathy as her character grows.
“SISTER ACT THE MUSICAL IS A HEAVENLY TREAT AND DEVILISHLY GOOD FUN.”
I remember last year when Mother Superior came onto the stage, played by LESLEY JOSEPH, there was a bit of a gasp around the auditorium, and it was the same last night. That could have something to do with Lesley being a part of our entertainment world for so long. With Dorien in Birds of a Feather for nearly 35 years and an impressive stage resume including Shakespeare, Young Frankenstein, and of course a massive helping of Pantomime.
Lesley fills those nuns shoes perfectly, although I did again detect a little glint of Dorien in her eyes, and the audience loved it. Lesley is a bit of a show stealer when she’s on stage, you can’t take your eyes off her, she is superb.
You know you’re onto a winner before you take your seat. Absolutely memorable show tunes, particularly the main song ‘Take Me To Heaven‘ sung by Dolores. With BILL BUCKHURST directing and some fantastic choreography from ALISTAIR DAVID which ticks every ‘must-see’ box. There is still something uplifting about watching the nuns dance so precisely on stage.
The set too is spot-on with credit to designer MORGAN LARGE. You hear the words big production used a lot in the theatre, but Sister Act really does feel big, with no expense spared. I love that what we get on our stage with the tour is every bit as good, and sometimes better than West-End standard and that is definitely the case with Sister Act.
You can see the main part of the set below, it’s all stained glass windows of the convent and fabulous lighting. The stage is filled with sparkle and disco lights and is every changing. There are parts coming in and leaving to move us smoothly along the storyline.
No matter how good a set is, or how perfect those costumes are – and believe me the outfits are next level in this production. It’s what the cast deliver on stage which counts, and Sister Act is a full on company of talented performers.
There’s a few set pieces in the show and one is from Eddie Souther, the cop in the story, played majestically by ALFIE PARKER. There’s a brilliant routine which sees him whipping off his uniform to reveal an outfit far removed from his day job. I won’t spoil it too much but as he sang ‘I Could Be That Guy‘, last night’s audience whooped and cheered along to his song. It was heartfelt and filled with disco camp in equal measures.
We all loved that ‘Steady Eddie‘ got time to shine in the spotlight.
Delores really doesn’t want to be at the Convent, and to be fair, the convent struggles with her arrival. Once the nuns warm to her, and she sees an opportunity to help the choir achieve greatness, we get some stand-out performances.
There’s a few returning favourites in this production including LIZZIE BEA as Sister Mary Robert and gives a mighty fine performance.
ISABEL CANNING also shines as the shy, but angelic voiced Sister Mary Patrick.
The cast also includes – Ian Gareth-Jones, Julie Stark, Phillip Arran, Lori Hayley Fox, Wendy-Lee Purdy, Bradley Judge, Damian Buhagiar, Callum Martin, Castell Parker, Esme Laudat, Amber Kennedy, Joseph Connor, Ceris Hine, Eloise Runnette, Sheri Lineham and Michael Ward.
The gangsters are another highlight of this outstanding production, although they had us trembling with laughter more than fear. They will have you laughing out loud at their disco-esque routines. Great show guys, you were all brilliant.
There is nothing not to like in this show, which probably accounts for the full house last night. The music is great, the sets outstanding and the love and friendship coming off the stage is something we all need right now. Oh yes, and those dancing nuns is another reason to get along and see it this week. As they sing so beautifully – ‘It’s Good to be a Nun‘.
People absolutely love the movie and hallelujah, SISTER ACT: A DIVINE MUSICAL COMEDY is equally fun and fabulous and will take you to joyous heavenly heights. It’s very easy to get into the Sister Act habit and it’ll be a hard habit to break once you’ve seen it. We could definitely have another helping of this.
SISTER ACT is at the Wales Millennium Centre through to Saturday 18th November. Performances are at 7:30pm with 2:30pm matinees on Wednesday and Saturday. Seats are still available starting at £18 but remember that last year the show was a pretty near sell out. To find out more, and get yours, go HERE.
Just a little word of warning, it’s showing limited availability for some performances, which means you really do have to be quick to get yourself a seat.
You can take a look at our original show feature and interview with LESLEY JOSEPH – HERE.
