Upstaged Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐
Sisters! The reviews are in…
Inspired by the much-loved 1992 film, Manchester’s Palace Theatre hosts a divine new stage production of Sister Act – which will travel to London ahead of a UK tour.
Just like the film, starring Whoopi Goldberg, the stage musical follows the antics of the sassy, sparkly and quick-witted club singer Deloris Van Cartier, who finds herself placed under protective custody when she witnesses a murder. Transferred to a convent (well, they’ll never find her there!), she is disguised as a nun, before she finds herself helping the convent’s caterwauling choir. An uplifting tale of mutual salvation, hard-bitten Deloris ends up revealing the harmony in the sisters’ voices while also unexpectedly rediscovering the voice in her own soul.
This production boasts inspired casting choices and terrifically talented performers.
Directed by Bill Buckhurst with choreography by Alastair David, this production boasts inspired casting choices and terrifically talented performers. Jennifer Saunders steals the show as the authoritative and protective Mother Superior – wry, with a wonderful trill on her ‘r’s, while Sandra Marvin provides a glitzy and spirited antidote as disco diva-in-hiding Deloris van Cartier. Keala Settle shines as super smiley and enthusiastic Sister Mary Patrick; Lesley Joseph gives a wonderfully comic turn as choir mistress turned rapper and Lizzie Bea gives belting vocals as convent wallflower Sister Mary Robert. Other notable performances include Clive Rowe as Police Detective Eddie Southerner, and the trio of thugs – played by Damian Buhagiar, Tom Hopcroft and Bradley Judge – who punctuate the show with witty 90s boy band vibes.
An intoxicating fusion of gospel and soul alongside seventies disco and funk.
Although the stage musical doesn’t feature the songs from the film, there’s an intoxicating fusion of gospel and soul alongside seventies disco and funk in composer Alan Menkin’s original tunes. And the wheeled set design works like a prayer – transforming the stage from a club to a back street and a convent with ease.
This is a big, bold and feel-good production. And although fundamentally different to the original movie – in its humour and song – Sister Act holds up as a ‘divine musical comedy’ and a joyous celebration of the film.
-Kristy Stott
Sister Act runs at the Palace Theatre, Manchester until Saturday 9 July 2022.