Sister Act

Based on the massive hit musical film of 1992 starring Whoopi Goldberg, this 2006 stage musical was also an instant hit and has been loved by audiences ever since. It’s slightly different from the movie, including being set in 1977/78 lending us the opportunity to be in the middle of the soul music era. But the clash of the night club wanna-be singer Deloris Van Cartier with the very traditional Mother Superior of a convent makes for both comedy gold and a heartwarming evening.

The lead Deloris is played with confidence and a touch of fragility by Safia Roxanna. Her warm vocal tones suit the musical style. She is a slightly more grounded Deloris and not over-the-top outrageous which is an interesting choice. The juxtaposition with the nuns and particularly the Mother Superior played by Lynne Fallowell works very well. These two characters are so very opposite in every way: outlook, experience, views on the world, cultural background, not to mention beliefs. Lynne’s way of talking to God through prayer asking Him to help was very funny, she performs the role with grace and calm which suits it perfectly. Her vocal style is even opposite to Safia: she is a pure soprano with no bending notes. Both have beautiful contrasting tones and are pitched beautifully.

All the actors perform very well although it’s impossible to mention everyone: some other standouts are Sister Mary Robert, played by Emma Khan, who has such a wonderful story arc: from absurdly shy to finding her feistiness and standing up for what’s right, not only for herself but for everyone: and she plays it wonderfully, embodying the changing physicality of the character as well. She also has the most incredible voice: an absolute joy to hear. Mary May-Miller as the effusive and enthusiastic Sister Mary Patrick is both hilarious and a warm presence in her role which is gorgeous to see.

Special mention has to go to the Curtis’s oddball gang of three – they make more of these roles than is usual which is very welcome: their songs including some absolutely hilarious choreography are performed so very well, particularly Jack Jackson-Humphrey in fabulous platform black and white shoes who shows vocal and comedy timing gold and gorgeous stage presence in these segments. The audience absolutely lapped these scenes up, showing their appreciation for them all with raucous laughter.

For some reason, a bunch of singing nuns on the stage are just hilariously funny, and the show presents these comedy moments really well. The adding of glitter panels and the extra end costumes for the nuns was absolutely brilliant – such a contrast and so well done, making the moment even funnier. Costumes across the board were incredibly well done: from the gangsters to the nuns, from the Monsignor to the police officers, from hobos to ensemble: all were detailed and considered. Well done to everyone in the costume department.

There are some lovely lighting moments with a back and front follow spot on Deloris at one point which was a wonderful effect, helping to show the mood of potential stardom and isolation as well. Red twinkling lights appeared at the back at one point and blue twinkly lights appeared in a night time scene. The colours for the whole show were lovely. The lights coming up after a transition could have been quicker in some places, helping the audience stay in the moment. Another thing that would help audiences stay with the story is either asking cast to move furniture where the person is visible or costuming up the stage crew and smoothing out the transitions: these extra things would move this from an already really good show to a really great one.

There is much to love and admire about this production and the way everyone involved has come together to create it and make it happen. Their enjoyment in performing spreads to the audience which is wonderful. The lyrics are sublime and the audience can hear every word which is super. There are some lovely details in this including a very brief moment where a captured man with a sack on his head starts bobbing his head along to the music they can all hear on the radio. It’s wonderful to see such attention to detail in so many places and the whole thing is hugely enjoyable, uplifting and inspiring. Congratulations to director Andrew Cornell and every single person involved in producing such a very good high quality show.

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