Birmingham Hippodrome – until Saturday 18th May 2024
Reviewed by Nadia Dodd
5*****
Sister Act the original film was released way back in 1992 and although the story and the characters remain the same the music from the film are not featured in the show. Please do not go along expecting this as you maybe disappointed. I did know this prior to the performance, I was certainly not disappointed the music and lyrics by Alan Menken and Glenn Slater were truly heavenly.
Deloris van Cartier is played by Landi Oshinowo and wow does she have a remarkable voice. She plays the nightclub singer who finds herself hiding in the convent after she unfortunately witnessed her mobster boyfriend Curtis Jackson, played by Ian Gareth-Jones shoot an informant.
Deloris struggles to fit into the lifestyle of the rest of the Sisters until she discovers the choir. Failing to hit any notes together she helps them in her own way, shine and really put on a great performance at the next service in the Church.
The Mother Superior played by Sue Cleaver, despairs, why has God put the church in this position, allowing someone into their convent who could bring along so much trouble from gangsters if they discovered she was hiding out there.
The police officer assisting Deloris in hiding out until her court appearance Eddie is played by Alfie Parker. Eddie remembers Deloris from school and had had a crush on her then that still remains. Alfie puts on a great scene singing ‘I could be that guy’, look out for the sparkly 70’s number that he wears during this.
The trio of Curtis’ gang members are cast perfectly. TJ, Joey and Pablo, played by Elliott Gooch, Callum Martin and Michalis Antoniou respectively, are funny men and along with Clemont, Curtis’ nephew played by Harvey Ebbage they make the audience laugh at their comical routines and facial expressions.
Deloris, known to the sisters as Sister Mary Clarence, is almost busted by Curtis’ gang but Eddie is there to save the day and asks her to hide out at his place to keep her safe. Deloris and the convent miss each other terribly, they have become her friends, including Mother Superior and she does find her way back there to help the choir that she has trained so well perform in front of the Pope.
The staging is bright, colourful and sparkles all the colours of the rainbow and the cast look like they are having fun, the audience certainly approved too by the standing ovation given. A comical, cheerful, soulful evening well worth 5 stars. There were possibly more sequins used on the costumes in the closing numbers than on some famous TV dancing show – it really was ‘Fabulous Baby!’