REVIEW | Sister Act, UK Tour

Reviews

3 Feb

Written by Sam

*Disclaimer: Gifted tickets in return for an honest review

Sister Act is a well-known, popular adaption of the film.

Deloris Van Cartier (Landi Oshinowo) is hoping to make it big on the Philadelphia soul scene in the late 1970s. Whilst dating local gangster, Curtis Jackson (Ian Gareth-Jones), she thinks she has it all until she witnesses her boyfriend murder a member of his crew. Her life takes a surprising turn when Curtis and his crew follow Deloris whilst en route to the police station.

Once Deloris has spoken to old police friend, Eddie Souther (Alfie Parker), they agree protective custody is the only way forward. From being in the spotlight to running for your life, Deloris is now known as a nun on the run, aka Sister Mary Clarence.

The convent becomes Deloris’ new home, and she receives not the warmest of welcomes by Mother Superior (Lori Haley Fox). Throughout the story we see how their relationship grows as Mother Superior slowly begins to warm towards Sister Mary Clarence. As a Motown, soul singer, it’s up to Sister Mary Clarence to help raise funds for the convent as well as helping her sisters find their true voices as she unexpectedly rediscovers her own and her purpose in this world.

The cast is exceptional. There are some standout moments from so many members of the cast (Eddie’s solo, the dynamic trio, Sister Mary Patrick’s wild dancing and singing) it’s hard to not want to write about them all. I don’t want to give too much away but you’ll see a nun swinging nunchucks, a police officer dressed in 70s disco attire as well as men wearing extremely high heels – yes, they’re dancing in them and no, they don’t fall to the floor. I had heel envy!

Lori Haley Fox does not disappoint as Deloris. Her voice is sensational – it’s full of soul, power, and it’s smooth. I think she did the role justice, especially because people seeing the show will automatically compare her to Whoopi Goldberg, Beverley Knight, or Alexandra Burke. They are some shoes to fill but Lori, you smashed it!

I thoroughly enjoyed how Eloise Runnette, who plays Sister Mary Robert became her character. It’s quite clear Eloise has spent time studying her character because her mannerisms, facial expressions and eye contact were spot on, she immersed herself wholly into her performance. And let’s not forget her voice, wow. I was blown away with how easy it was for her to sing so quietly and shy to then be given the opportunity to grow as a character and have us all sat there with open mouths once the real voice came out. I know this is the story and a key moment for Sister Mary Robert, but you wouldn’t know Eloise was making her professional debut in Sister Act.

There’s only one thing I felt was missing from this show is the classic song ‘I Will Follow Him’, I was waiting for it – it’s an iconic moment in the film, however, I do appreciate this is an adaptation. I think it would work well in this show because Sister Mary Robert’s character development is so strong and as she takes the lead with this song in the film, it would have finished the story off perfectly.

This show is energetic, camp, heart-warming and extremely funny. It has the right balance of everything you need in a show and even though I’m not religious, I was bobbing my head to the nuns singing away! I can certainly say I left smiling and wanting Sister Act 2 to be a stage show immediately.

If you would like to buy tickets for this show, it’s on at The Curve until 10th February 2024 as part of its wider UK tour until 05 October 2024.