1 February 2024 I 19:30 I Curve Theatre, Leicester I AD - PR Invite
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Sister Act: A Divine Musical Comedy opens its new UK tour stretch beginning at Leicester's Curve Theatre. I am beyond thrilled and thankful to have received an invite to review such a culturally monumental show! Made famous by the 1992 film, the stage adaptation features many original songs (Alan Menken) and they are funky, energetic bops! Even from the moment you enter the auditorium, you're greeted with a disco ball and 70s tunes to enhance the disco vibes. You'll have to strap me down to stop me from dancing!
We follow music diva Deloris Van Cartier as her career hits a rut, after witnessing her boyfriend commit a heinous murder. Instructed to join the local convent, Delores transforms into Sister Mary Clarence, a woman of many profanities and extremely bright personality is bound to stand out! Landi Oshinowo is hilarious with this non-belonging, especially the confusion in her eyes and careful tip-toes, the physical comedy of it makes her extreme contrast and displacement wildly funny. And of course those pipes!! She has been cast in the role of a terrific songstress for a reason! With powerhouse vocals, she is a magnetic leading lady, balancing the essence of comedy through song as an entirely loveable persona of sparkle and effervescence. Landi Oshinowo really does Take Me To Heaven!
To make herself of use, Deloris is tasked with training the convent's choir, as the story peaks in its belly laughs. But also finding time for me to admire the bond of sisterhood, allowing a familial comfort to shine. Though the choir isn't exactly... modest, much to the Mother Superior's dissatisfaction. Portrayed tonight by Lori Haley Fox, the stark juxtaposition against Oshinowo is performed with great skill, the right amount of seriousness projecting through gritted teeth. Regardless, she has breaks of humour which are a joy to see, we all desperately want her to embrace the fun!!! And the beauty of the show is finding the way to marry the convent's tradition with Deloris' soul.
The thing that I cherish about Sister Act's nuns is the immensely unique personalities within them all, what Deloris unleashes in them! I don't think I have ever had more fun watching someone on stage than I have Isabel Canning as Sister Mary Patrick. I don't know where the energy comes from, but the enthusiasm is otherworldly! When I'm in the audience and feel exhausted from the energy emitted, you know they have done a tremendous job! Canning is so conscious of every moment onstage, and really embraces the heart of it all.
Eloise Runnette portrays a drastically unique Sister Mary Robert. Her plight to resist the convent is wholly evocative and honest, leading to a showstopping The Life I Never Led. We are even with a Sister busting out a form of Rapper's Delight, this show is positively madness! With Morgan Large's impressively colourful set and costuming (sequins galore!), as well as Tim Mitchell's groovy lighting states, the visual aspects to this musical breathe so much life and vibrancy!
Sister Act does have slower moments of course, but the most important thing is that it simply does not take itself too seriously. Enough to show a clear respect for the craft, but solidifying itself as the perfect escapism to let loose at the theatre. Deloris' former lover Curtis (Ian Gareth-Jones) is a gangster in a Philadelphia of pizzazz. So when his leading song When I Find My Baby details his plan to brutally capture and murder his lover, it is so horrifically out of place that it works! Lyrically (Glenn Slater), this number is brutally graphic, but put a disco love track spin on it and it becomes awkwardly loveable! With an exceedingly talented backing troupe (Elliot Gooch, Michalis Antoniou and Callum Martin), I don't know what I just experienced but I could not stop laughing!
Alfie Parker's Eddie is so wholesome and adoring, giving a new layer to the characters, where his performance is much more than steady! Parker is one of those actors I just can't help but smile whenever he enters, such a wonder to see! Every single person on this stage gives 110%, and I really admire Alistair David's choreography work in a cheesy 70s disco realness!
I am unbelievably glad to have witnessed the euphoria that is Sister Act, may well be one of my new favourite musicals!! Every little detail is so well thought out, even Tom Slade (Musical Director) joining in the party during the finale, I loved every single moment, it is CAMP as can be! So grab your "glitter, glamour and gay boys" and head down to the convent for one of the most joyous musicals the UK has to offer!!
Tickets and more info for Sister Act can be found here: https://www.sisteractthemusical.co.uk/uk-tour/
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