Disco nuns and mobster boyfriends – Sister Act is an iconic film, and Alan Menken’s musical adaptation turns it into a glitzy stage production with plenty of fun. Starring Coronation Street’s Wendi Peters as the disapproving Mother Superior and West End star Landi Oshinowo, this was set to be a sparkling show.
When disco singer Deloris witnesses her boyfriend murder one of his cronies, she is put into protection at a convent – the last place she would ever have expected to end up. From not knowing anything about life as a nun to transforming the church choir and finding a sisterhood she never knew she needed, Deloris’ life takes a massive turn. Landi’s voice and incredible acting skills brought this sassy character to fruition in an amazing way, allowing the audience to truly connect with her story.
Wendi Peters’ portrayal of the unintentionally hilarious Mother Superior, who doesn’t want this disco diva changing anything about her church, was spot on too. Eddie Souther, the police officer in charge of the case, is another fantastic addition to the story: Alfie Parker played this role with enough pizzazz to carry the whole show! The unexpected dance moves and heartfelt backstory meant that Steady Eddie was a firm audience favourite.
Alongside Deloris’ introduction to life at the convent, we have the story of her gangster boyfriend Curtis, played by Ian Gareth-Jones. His three sidekicks brought further elements of humour to the production, and TJ, played by Elliot Gooch, deserves a special mention for the fantastic dance moves and incredible performance! The sidekicks’ costumes were absolutely iconic, as were many of the outfits throughout the show – the set is simple but effective, too.
Overall, the individual talent displayed in this cast of Sister Act is phenomenal – from Wendi Peters and Landi Oshinowo to Julie Stark and Isabel Canning, who played Sister Mary Lazarus and Sister Mary Patrick respectively, the comedic timing and excellent singing was spot on. The musical itself is hilarious, with some good songs and an incredibly glitzy finale. While it might, on paper, be a show about a bunch of singing nuns, it goes so much deeper: friendship, finding yourself, the transformative nature of sisterhood and a little bit of love. This cast really brought that to life.
Reviewer: Katy Gilroy
Reviewed: 30th September 2024
North West End UK Rating: