Review: Sister Act the Musical Tour
Sister Act the Musical Tour landed in Bournemouth this week and we were lucky enough to be invited along to the press night on Monday.
Based on the 1992 film of the same name, the story follows Disco diva, Deloris Van Cartier, as her life takes a surprising turn when she witnesses a murder. Placed under protective custody she is hidden in the one place she shouldn’t be found – a convent! Encouraged to help the struggling choir, she helps her fellow sisters find their true voices as she unexpectedly rediscovers her own.
Featuring original music by Tony® and 8-time Oscar® winner Alan Menken (Disney’s Aladdin, Enchanted) and songs inspired by Motown, soul and disco, this heavenly musical is joyous and uplifting in equal measures.
Leading the show in the role of disco diva Deloris, West End star Landi Oshinowo, who is spectacular as the foul mouthed, hard-living songstress and joining her is Coronation Street star Wendi Peters as more regal and straight-laced Mother Superior.
The nuns are all brilliant and how they manage to sing so beautifully out of tune at the beginning astounds me, but the musical really comes to life when they start to find their voices and sing in harmony.
The real highlight of the show is the fabulous policeman Eddie “Steady Eddie” Souther, played by Alfie Parker, who steals the show as this loveable sap with a bit of a crush on Deloris, but ultimately steals the show with his comedic timing and incredible costume change.
The villain of the story, Curtis Jackson, was perfectly evil and his hapless gang of misfits brought the most laughs, especially there seduction routine.
This show lives up to its promise of a divine musical comedy. You will laugh out loud, you will sing along (especially if you have kids in musical theatre), tap your feet and as quoted by Isaiah 55:12 – “You shall go out with joy…”.
Sister Act the Musical Tour is at Bournemouth Pavilion until 24th August from where it heads to Torquay and off around the UK.
