Raise Your Voice because Sister Act is back on tour again!

For those who have not yet seen either the West End or tour versions of the show you will hopefully be familiar with the hit film from 1992 starring Whoopi Goldberg. Sister Act the musical is a vibrant, feel-good comedy about Deloris Van Cartier, a wannabe club singer who witnesses a murder by her gangster boyfriend Curtis and is placed in protective custody in a convent. Disguised as a nun, Deloris initially struggles with the restrictive lifestyle but soon transforms the convent’s choir, bringing new life and energy (and talent!) to the church. Featuring an uplifting score by Alan Menken, Sister Act highlights key themes of friendship, transformation, and the power of music to bring people together.

Heading the show was Landi Oshinowo as Deloris who showcased an excellent gospel voice and some great comedic timing. Her performance gave a multifaceted Deloris which did not overshadow her stage mates as can be the case with a star vehicle show. There were times where I would have anticipated some more extravagant characterisation, but it was enjoyable to see Oshinowo’s take on the role rather than a Whoopi Goldberg impression. Stage and Television star Wendi Peters played the pious, uptight Mother Superior with great aplomb with powerful vocals and hilarious sardonic delivery. Making her professional debut Eloise Runnette as Sister Mary Robert was a breath of fresh air on stage. Her exquisite vocal delivery and acting through song shown in “The Life I Never Led” were a real highlight of the show – I hope we will see more of her on stage in the future. Praise must also go to Alfie Parker as Policeman Eddie Souther whose performance was a real showstopper and a fabulous showcase for an exceptional performer.

Huge praise must be given to the outstanding ensemble of the show, and especially our singing nuns, Every single time they sang together on stage the atmosphere was electric. Raise Your Voice in Act 1 was a really standout vocal moment and left the audience excited to get back to their seats. Particular mention should also go to Elliott Gooch’s immense watchability and performance as TJ (one of Curtis’ goons) and Isabel Canning as the upbeat and uproarious Sister Mary Patrick.

There were however times where performance quality and in particular diction in scenes were sacrificed at the expense of over characterisation and sticking to film interpretations of characters which impacted some of the more heartfelt moments of the show. There were also some plot points that did not feel in keeping with the key themes of the show such as the section around ‘Lady in the Long Black Dress’ sung by Curtis’ mob and the love story between Eddie and Deloris which felt rather forced. This is not commentary on the performances, but more the book of the show itself.

The costuming and set design really showed the talent of Morgan Large and catapulted the audience back to the 70s whilst providing great ambience to the scenes in the convent. Particular mention of Eddie’s reveal in ‘I could be that guy’, the nun’s sequinned habits and the end of Act 2 and Curtis’ mob’s outfits which were the perfect mix of outlandish and stylised for the era (platforms and bellbottoms alike!).  The lighting also featured heavily throughout the show and was used to excellent effect. The band led by MD Tom Slade sounded outstanding and brought the music to life.

Sister Act remains one of the most consistent shows between West End and Touring productions I have seen. It would be hard for this show to not appeal as evident by the audience –  featuring young and old alike – on their feet and dancing at the end of the final. I would encourage anyone to ‘spread the love around’ and book tickets to the family-friendly production whilst it is on the road!

Review by Jaime Finch

Sister Act is on at The Marlowe Theatre until 27th July. You can find out more about Sister Act and other shows they have on their on the Marlowe Theatre’s website.

If you like this review you might also like my review of Pretty Woman, and Chitty Chitty Bang Bang both of which are coming the The Marlowe Theatre.