Sister Act - The Musical

Singing nuns in spangly habits in a musical based on the 1992 film Sister Act - what's not to love!?

I would argue that 20 years is long enough for a film to be considered a classic, not to mention constant showings on weekend afternoons, so I'm calling Sister Act a modern classic. As soon as there was a musical adaptation announced I knew I would want to see it, even without the songs featured in the original film. When the show's West End closing notice was reported I was disappointed that I would never get to see it, then a tour was advertised - I was excited, then disappointed again (Cardiff wasn't among the first venues), then excited again but with an air of impatience as the Cardiff dates were on sale but still a year away. So, I have waited 3 years to see this musical... it was worth the wait!

Michael Starke, Cynthia Erivo, Denise Black
(Photo © http://www.sisteractthemusical.com/tour/)

Apart from the retro setting of the 1970s and the original songs the musical rarely strays from the original film, albeit with added musical-style razzle-dazzle. As in the film the musical deals with the troubles of nightclub singer Delores Van Cartier who, after witnessing a murder by her gangster boyfriend, hides out in a convent as a nun, the total antithesis of her current lifestyle; clashes with the Mother Superior and eventually leads the choir into disco/soul success. Anyone (i.e. everybody) who's seen the film will know the plot, it's nothing new or revolutionary, it's basically 'Some Like It Hot', but with nuns; the old culture-clash, fish-out-of-water genre of comedy. What makes the film so iconic is the cast and the music, and the same can be said of the musical. Cynthia Erivo as Delores is both an astounding singer and comedic actress; as is Cavin Cornwall as the villian of the piece Curtis Jackson, a deeper voice hasn't been heard since the late Barry White left us! As well as singing, both their accents are so believable it's a surprise neither are actually American. Denise Black as Mother Superior is best when she really gets to use her voice, which sadly isn't often enough; and Michael Starke's (Sinbad from Brookie) Monsignor, while not a singing role, provided plenty of comedy. Of course it's the nuns that steal most of the show, and many of the actresses performances are reminiscent of the original film performances. Who can fail to laugh at a load of nuns in glittery habits singing disco 'hymns' or, even funnier, running Scooby-Doo style through doors from armed gangsters!?

Infectious music, impressive sets, funny and touching and incredibly camp! The only nun-based musical that matters! When it finished I could have sat through it all over again! 

p.s. I can't be the only person in the theatre that night who got the MASH joke/reference...?