We’d like to bet that one of the movies you turned to during lockdown (remember that) was SISTER ACT, we certainly did. There’s just something so incredibly uplifting about the story (apart from the gangsters and shooting part). The story is funny and touching, and the songs are literally feel good, sing-a-long, out loud belters. And if ever there was a movie which transfers brilliantly to the stage, then this is the one.
The stage show, SISTER ACT – A DIVINE MUSICAL COMEDY had a bit of a life during the pandemic. Like many shows it was off and on and back ono again. The original movie star WHOOPI GOLDBERG was set to reprise her role as Delores during a run in London (we even had tickets for that), when the pandemic struck, Eventually that run went ahead and the UK tour made its way around the country to great success.
I mention this because such is our appetite for all things SISTER ACT, that the show is returning to the Wales Millennium Centre, after a massive sell-out run last November (Review Here). It actually returns pretty much 12 months to the day and with a lot of the cast we saw in Cardiff last year, including the incredible LESLEY JOESPH.
We had a chat with Lesley recently about this tour and her love of the show. She regaled us with memories of the classic Birds of a Feather, the brilliant Young Frankenstein, and the time she spent half an hour with the Pope. She also told us how much she’s looking forward to spending the festive period in Wales in Pantomime – oh yes she is…….
This production is all brand-new and reimagined – so we really can’t wait smash-hit musical to return.
This sparkling tribute to the universal power of friendship, sisterhood and music tells the hilarious story of the disco diva whose life takes a surprising turn when she witnesses a murder. Under protective custody she is hidden in the one place she won’t be found – a convent! Disguised as a nun and under the suspicious watch of Mother Superior, Deloris helps her fellow sisters find their voices as she unexpectedly rediscovers her own.
LESLEY JOSEPH who is out on the Sister Act tour bus and making her way to Cardiff again, really excels as Mother Superior. Although very different from some of the other roles vwe’ve come to know and love her for, there still is that ‘woman next door’ glint in her eye.
Lesley is best known for playing Dorien Green, the neighbour from hell, in the sitcom Birds of a Feather, alongside Pauline Quirke and Linda Robson. Having recorded over 130 episodes, Dorien became a national intuition, watched at its height by 23 million people.
She’s no stranger to the stage either having starred as Frau Blücher in Mel Brooks’ Young Frankenstein at the Garrick Theatre, a performance which earned Lesley an Olivier Award nomination for Best Supporting Actress in a Musical. After this, Lesley toured the country in Annie the Musical, reprising her role as Miss Hannigan and also Calendar Girls the Musical.
We are also really excited to see LANDI OSHINOVO as Deloris Van Cartier, the part played by Whoopi Goldberg in the film. Landi spent time in the London production of the show as well as some on stage classics such as Shrek The Musical and Matilda The Musical.
LIZZIE BEA has the brilliant role of Sister Mary Robert, having recently received critical and audience acclaim for her portrayal of ‘Tracy Turnblad’ in Hairspray at the London Coliseum. We saw Lizzie in that role and the acclaim was well deserved. If you were fortunate enough to catch the show on its last visit you’ll know just how great Lizzie is.
ALFIE PARKER (School of Rock, the UK tours of Kinky Boots, Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat) will be playing Eddie Souther. Curtis Jackson will be played by IAN GARETH-JONES (Only Fools and Horses The Musical, Mary Poppins, Mrs Henderson Presents, Billy Elliot, and the UK tours of Mamma Mia, Chicago and Thoroughly Modern Millie).
They will be joined by Isabel Canning, Jackie Pulford, 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 stage show features original music by Tony® and 8-time Oscar® winner Alan Meakin and songs inspired by Motown, soul and disco, this joyous and hilarious musical is one nostalgia-filled trip you will never forget.
Interestingly with Alan, we’d like to bet that each and every one of you have grown up with, sung along to, and to this day still enjoy his incredible songs. These are just a few of his movie credits……
The Little Mermaid, Beauty and The Beast (Animated), Aladdin (Animated), Pocahontas, The Hunchback of Notre Dame, Hercules, The Shaggy Dog, Home on the Range, Enchanted, Tangled, Mirror Mirror and Beauty and the Beast (Live Action), Howard and Aladdin (Live Action).
Yes, Alan Meakin is the man responsible for this Disney classic – A WHOLE NEW WORLD.
The musical is obviously based on the movie, which came out in 1992 – I know, 29 years ago. It had its first stage outing at a regional premiere in 2006 in Pasadena, California. Such was its success, that it was only a matter of time before we got to see it over here. The original West End production opened in 2009 at the London Palladium, starring Patina Miller, who came over from the Broadway production.
SISTER ACT is at the Wales Millennium Centre from Monday 13th 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.
