Sister Act

Based on the much-loved Sister Act and later stage adaptation, this is a show packed full of heart, humour, disco energy and soul, and EBOS embraced every bit of it. From the opening moments, the audience was swept into a production bursting with colour, pace and personality. The quality throughout was nothing short of fabulous, baby.

Before the performance, I had the pleasure of meeting director Keir Bust, who was incredibly warm and welcoming. It was clear from speaking with him just how much thought, planning and care had gone into bringing this production to life. Hearing about the rehearsal process made what followed even more impressive. Much of the rehearsal schedule had initially been twice weekly before increasing towards the end, and the polish achieved on stage was remarkable.

What I particularly appreciated was the pacing of the entire show. Nothing lingered too long and there was a genuine confidence in how the production moved from scene to scene. The use of characters and ensemble members to support scene changes was cleverly integrated and helped maintain momentum throughout. I especially enjoyed spotting some of the male cast disguised as nuns during transitions. Those little details really matter because they keep the audience immersed in the world of the show whilst also adding extra layers of humour.

The set, much of which had been hired in, was an excellent choice. The church setting instantly gave the production scale and visual authenticity, whilst still allowing for smooth movement and flexibility. Importantly, the set never overshadowed the performances or slowed the show down. Additional scenic pieces were wheeled and skated on and off seamlessly, keeping the production visually dynamic throughout.

The lighting design was absolutely terrific. There was real bravery in the colour choices and the stage constantly felt warm, vibrant and theatrical. Musical theatre should embrace spectacle and this production certainly did. The spotlights were consistently accurate, the transitions between moods worked beautifully and the use of colour added real emotional texture to the storytelling.

Musically, this show soared. Under the musical direction of Thomas Atkinson-Joy, the orchestra delivered an outstanding sound throughout the evening. The band supported the cast magnificently and gave the production huge energy and emotional weight. I still personally miss seeing musicians physically in the pit because there’s something magical about watching them create the sound live in front of you, but that’s simply personal preference rather than criticism. The music itself was glorious.

Numbers such as “Fabulous, Baby!”, “Here Within These Walls”, “I Haven’t Got a Prayer”, “When I Find My Baby” and “Lady in the Long Black Dress” were standout moments, whilst the harmonies during the ensemble sections genuinely gave me goosebumps. There were several occasions where the sheer wall of sound from the company was breathtaking.

Grace O’Sullivan’s choreography was also wonderfully inventive. I particularly loved the sequence involving the dancing nuns forming the shape of a cross. It was funny, visually striking and brilliantly staged. The movement throughout the production felt entirely character driven, which is exactly how musical theatre choreography should work.

If I had one small observation, it would be around sound balance during portions of Act One. At times, some dialogue and lyrics felt slightly underpowered against the band, and there were occasional moments where text became difficult to catch. It occasionally left me wondering whether every cast member was fully miked. However, this noticeably improved as the evening progressed, suggesting only minor balancing adjustments are needed moving forward. With a production of this quality, audiences won’t want to miss a single lyric or punchline.

What stayed with me most, though, was the heart of the show. By the finale, when the nuns came together to protect Deloris and stand up for what was right, there was genuine emotion in the auditorium. It actually brought a tear to my eye. Beneath the comedy and sequins, Sister Act reminds us that kindness, acceptance and community matter. In the world we live in today, perhaps we could all learn a little from that.

And yes… it was absolutely fabulous, baby.

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