Sister Act The Musical
★★★★★
Living up to a movie franchise that grossed an eye-watering $356 million dollars was always going to be a challenge, but the St. Katherine’s nuns in the latest West End production served up a slice of heaven.
Sister Act The Musical has returned to London with a stellar cast lineup – including the greats such as Beverley Knight and Lemar.
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Gavin and Stacey legend Ruth Jones was a far cry from Nessa Jenkins but that didn’t stop her sitcom pals James Corden, Alison Steadman and Rob Brydon from turning up to support her on opening night.
Waiting in anticipation for the curtain to lift in the packed Dominion theatre, there was immediately a feeling in the air that we were all in for an incredible treat from above.
Just like both movies, which are now 30 years old, the show opens as disco babe Deloris is placed into protective custody, with the Catholic church the least likely place she’ll be found by her gangster lover Curtis Jackson (Lemar).
Beverley Knight’s voice knows no bounds – and neither does her acting in the role of Ms Cartier. Her impressive vocal range is displayed during the musical’s beautiful songs including Take Me To Heaven and Here Within These Walls.
Ruth Jones stepping into the role of a serious-bible abiding nun was a breath of fresh air, equal parts entertaining and convincing. The Welsh accent sticks out like a sore thumb at the start, but the 57-year-old’s alter ego Mother Superior explains how she emigrated to San Francisco three decades previously. If you say so…
The impressive and versatile staging adds to the performance off with the subtle scene changes commanding your undivided attention throughout both parts of the show. In the blink of an eye the audience are catapulted from the back streets to the serenity of the church.
As a TV journalist the cast is a crossover delight. Leslie Joseph looks so unrecognisable in her the role that I didn’t realise it was her at first. With over 50 years on stage she truly is a pro and versatile actor. Her vocal range is something to be admired and she shows no signs of slowing down at 78 years of age.
Speaking of television, X Factor legend Alexandra Burke will take over the reins from Beverley from June.
The harmony off all voices and ranges during the show is a spectacle, something that gripped the audience – and former Celebrity Big Brother star Wayne Sleep, who needed a wine to process it all during the interval.
At the helm of Sister Act is Bill Buckhurst, with choreography by Alistair David, set and costume design by Morgan Large and musical direction by Neil MacDonald.
You’ll be truly blessed to see the show – we felt like we’d died and gone to heaven.
Cable Street is an ambitious musical with a valuable history lesson and message of hope… it couldn’t be more topical
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