Set in the late 70s in Philadelphia, Sister Act – with music by Alan Menken (with songs inspired by Motown, soul and disco) and lyrics by Glenn Slater – burst onto the stage at Curve tonight in full glorious technicolour. If you’ve seen the film and maybe wondering if the stage production does it justice, the answer is absolutely.
Deloris, played by Landi Oshinowo, is a nightclub singer who gets put into police protection after witnessing a murder by her married boyfriend. She is moved to a convent for her own safety, where she ends up teaching the nuns how to sing in harmony. The choir becomes pretty famous, managing to save the convent through generous donations.
Oshinowo is just perfect for this role, she has a great stage presence and a huge singing voice, my personal favourite is her version of Take Me To Heaven. Every single scene with her leading the choir is a joy to watch.
The bar scene is worth a mention, too, when Deloris sneaks off from the convent to enjoy a beer, where her murderous boyfriends’ accomplices are trying to figure out where to find her – ‘it’s not like she’s gonna walk up to us and say Merry Christmas!’
Every single one of the nuns give this production their all, but I have to give a mention to Sister Mary Patrick, played by Isabel Canning – she was so full of energy, I could not stop watching her. And Sister Mary Robert, played by Eloise Runnette has an incredible voice.
Eddie Souther, played by Alfie Parker is such a loveable character, his version of I Could Be That Guy was incredible – what a voice. And I wasn’t expecting those costume changes!
This production is so joyous. It’s slick and funny, the sets are just standout – the scenes inside the convent are stunning with the light streaming through the ‘stained glass windows’. The set changes are fast, too with everyone working together in harmony.
Every single one of the cast gave the production their all tonight and deserved the standing ovation.
Sister Act is at Curve until Saturday 10 February. Tickets £10-£62.50.
★★★★★
