REVIEW | Sister Act The Musical, Curve Theatre
Sister Act is very much an iconic film of the early 1990s, starring the incredible Whoopi Goldberg as the lively singer and unforgettable character of Deloris Van Cartier. It's definitely up there as one of the films I really enjoy and the energetic, humorous storyline is one that sticks with you for many years.
So when I first heard that Craig Revel Horwood (well known for being a judge on BBC's Strictly Come Dancing and someone who also has an incredible theatrical CV to their name) was directing and choreographing a stage adaption of Sister Act The Musical on it's UK tour I was curious what was going to be created.
The script created by Bill and Cheri Steinkellner and Douglas Carter Beane are taking this story above and beyond the film to bring to life a fit and fabulous adaption for the stage that everybody can enjoy. You know you're in safe hands with the score from Alan Menken (who wrote the music for Disney's The Little Mermaid, amazing!).
So when I was invited to pop along to the Press Evening of Sister Act The Musical before it finishes it's run at The Curve Theatre in Leicester this weekend, it was a performance I was excited to see.
The story begins on Christmas Eve 1977, where we are first introduced to Deloris Van Cartier, played by 2008 X Factor winner Alexandra Burke. We see her performing for her gangster boyfriend in the club that he owns. Excited and driven Deloris is determined that this performance will open up the opportunity to work with a record producer, unfortunately it's not meant to be. The final straw comes on Christmas Day when Curtis buys her a coat, which she later discovers belongs to Curtis's wife, Cynthia. With frustration she decides to leave Curtis and when she goes to break the news, witnesses Curtis and his cronies shoot somebody who they believe has been talking to the cops about them.
Deloris horrified and concerned about her own safety runs away to the police where she is put into the witness protection programme and is sent to a place the cops believe Curtis will never find her, a convent. Deloris meets Mother Superior and she isn't too keen on the idea on staying in a convent when she realises all of her contact with the outside world is limited, and that she cannot smoke, drink, or wear any of her less than appropriate dress code within the walls of the convent.
As soon as Alexandra Burke's character is introduced at the beginning of the musical it is clear that she carries all of the sass and humour that Deloris Van Cartier's character needs. She has shown how much she is developing as a successful stage star, having recently had a major touring role in The Bodyguard. Now we're seeing her in the Sister Act demonstrate not only her incredible vocal ability but the fact she's a natural comedian. I thoroughly enjoyed her performance as Deloris and it was great to see another side to the individual we saw on television back in 2008.
One of my absolute highlights where the nuns in the convent. I absolutely LOVED them from the moment they walked on stage, their naturally funny characters and the ability to soak in every little bit of their individual roles to perfection. I particularly enjoyed Sister Mary Robert played by Sarah Goggin who's clear shy and quiet personality was indicated clearly from the beginning. Her solo number The Life I Never Led was one of my favourite songs throughout the whole performance and was such an emotional performance that she got perfectly.
Deloris's relationship with the rest of the cast was such an enjoyable performance to watch.
The storyline has it's many adaptations but the main thread from the film is still present and an easy watch for the audience.
Sister Act was without a doubt one of my favourite Curve productions that I've seen. It was a really feel good musical that will have you clapping along and laughing out loud from the very beginning. It's a stage adaption that is both impressive and a great creative masterpiece!
Sister Act is currently on tour throughout the UK until August 2017.
Disclaimer: I was invited to the press evening performance of Sister Act The Musical at Curve Theatre in Leicester in return for this post to be published. The photos are sourced from The Curve Theatre wesbite . All views are on my own.
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