Sister Act

Sister Act, the musical, was inspired by the 1992 film starring Whoopi Goldberg. It tells the story of Deloris Van Cartier a wannabe disco diva whose life takes a surprising turn when she witnesses her gangster boyfriend, Curtis Jackson, commit a murder. She reports the crime to the police and is placed in protective custody in the one place the cops are sure she won’t be found - a convent. Disguised as a nun she finds herself at odds with both the rigid lifestyle and a suspicious and uptight Mother Superior. Deloris eventually uses her singing talent to inspire the other nuns and creates a more contemporary choir which becomes a hit with the local community. She also finds love, friendship and sisterhood that was missing prior to her arrival at the convent.

The role of Deloris is the lynch-pin to the whole show as she is rarely off-stage so a leading lady is needed that can carry through this huge responsibility and demanding expectation. These aspects were definitely fulfilled by Jen Lewis, she was absolutely ‘fabulous’. She sashayed around the stage in the opening sequences with such pizazz but still managed to portray this feistiness even when in her nun’s habit. Her singing and acting skills were superb and together with her great affinity for comedy this proved to be a truly stunning performance.

Another fine portrayal came from Anne Dunning as Mother Superior. She was splendidly dignified and her singing of ‘I Haven’t Got a Prayer’ was so movingly delivered. Jess Hutton captured the innocence, sweetness, curiosity and eventual courage of postulant Sister Mary Robert so impressively, and what an amazing and beautiful singing voice she has, so apparent in ‘The Life I Never Led’. Phil Stanley’s fine stature was ideally suited to the role of Curtis Jackson. He was totally convincing as the swaggering, calculating and evil spirited gangster. His henchmen Joey (Reuben Dykes), TJ (Daniel Shaw) and Pablo (Richard Stonier) made a splendid trio, their hilarious antics, especially in the song and dance routine ‘Lady in the Long Black Dress’, were just terrific. Andrew Buxton was great as the shy police officer, Eddie Souther, who is in love with Deloris. His rendition of ‘I Could Be That Guy’ was first-rate. He literally ‘pulled off’ the routine superbly. Sarah Stone excelled as the excitable, over enthusiastic and irrepressible Sister Mary Patrick and Paula Winning was the somewhat grumpy Sister Mary Lazarus but later lit up the stage as an awesome, bespectacled rapper. Steve Dunning was top-notch as Monsignor O’Hara. His mischievous and effervescent approach to the role was so endearing. Good support came from Remi Hines as Tina, Isobel Davidson as Michelle, Sarah Jackson as Mary Martin-of-Tours, Millie Shawcross as Mary Theresa, the ensemble and of course, the chorus of Nuns who play a vital role in the show. After their initial ear piercing and painful singing the nuns became a heavenly, harmonious and highly enthusiastic group of sisters.

The in-house sets were good and effective, loved the stained glass windows and the excellent back projections, and together with appropriate props depicted the various scenes splendidly. Costumes, lighting and sound, with an on stage orchestra, all added to make this a super show carried out with such vitality and exuberance especially evident in the ensemble numbers which were all so well choreographed and executed. Well done to everyone involved, it was certainly, ‘Fabulous, Baby!’

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