We’d like to bet that one of the movies you turned to during lockdown 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 has 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 is back on and gets to the Wales Millennium Centre next week.
This production is all brand-new and reimagined – so we really can’t wait for this Broadway, West End and UK smash-hit musical to return. Whoopi still has a hand in this tour too as one of the producers.
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.
As you watch the trailer below, we’re sure you’ll spot a very familiar face in the cast. She had incredibly ‘bad habits’ as Dorien in Birds of a Feather, and is now wearing one as Mother Superior.
Yes, that is LESLEY JOSEPH who is out on the Sister Act tour bus and making her way to Cardiff. 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 is 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 feel certain you’ll also recognise SANDRA MARVIN who is Deloris Van Cartier, the part played by Whoopi Goldberg in the film. Sandr is best know as Jessie Grant/Dingle in Emmerdale; Patricia Williams in Call the Midwife (season 10); Nurse Ball Citizen Khan. Like Lesley has found her home on the stage. She played Brenda in Bagdad Café (Old Vic) and Becky in Waitress (West End and UK Tour) to name two.
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.
The cast also includes Clive Rowe, Jeremy Secomb, Graham McDuff, Tricia Deighton, Lori Haley Fox, Damian Buhagiar, Tom Hopcroft, Bradley Judge, Tanya Edwards, Catherine Millsom, Anne Smith, Emma Ralston, Jermaine Woods, Michael Ward, Castell Parker and Caroline Bateson.
The stage show features original music by Tony® and 8-time Oscar® winner Alan Menken 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.
Sister Act the musical is obviously based on the movie, which came out in 1992 – I know, 28 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.
We suppose what makes the show so enduring is that Whoopi Goldberg, the original movie Deloris, has always kept a hand on the show production. That applied back in 2009 and does with this tour. Just take a look at the shows website and there you’ll see her name, right at the top of the producers list, along with Jamie Wilson – HERE
At one time Jamie was the lead producer on three musicals in London, On Your Feet! The Story of Emilio and Gloria Estefan, Nativity! The Musical, and Irving Berlin’s White Christmas at The Dominion Theatre.
SISTER ACT is at the Wales Millennium Centre through to Saturday 5th November. Performances are at 7:30pm with 2:30pm matinees on Thursday and Saturday. If you’re an existing ticket holder, they are still valid for the new dates, seats are still available starting at £17:50. To find out more, and get yours, go here. SISTER
Just a little word of warning, it’s showing low availability for all performances, which means you really do have to be quick to get yourself a seat.
