Sister Act theatre review: Hallelujah – these sisters are doing it for themselves!
Sister Act theatre review by Katey Thompson at the New Victoria Theatre, Woking.
SISTER ACT. Company. Photo by Tristram Kenton
We have all seen the film of Sister Act with Whoopi Goldberg and this musical production is based on the film, however the cast have managed to take the story and turn it into their own. The show directed by Craig Revel Horwood is full of the feel good factor and good triumphs over bad, so get ready for an excellent live performance.
Alexandra Burke is good as Deloris Van Cartier, her first appearance on stage is perhaps a little modest for a chanteuse, and while her voice is slightly underwhelming, as the show progresses, we start to see the sassier side of Deloris Van Cartier appear and her voice becomes more powerful. Deloris unfortunately witnesses her boyfriend Curtis (Aaron Lee Lambert) committing a murder and she goes to the police. Eddie is the police officer who comes to Deloris aid and his solo performance of ‘I could be that guy’ is a real show stopper embracing the era of disco. Eddie arranges for Deloris to seek refuge in a convent under the watchful eye of the excellent Mother Superior Karen who has to deal with Deloris as an undelectable nun – Sister Clarence. Sister Mary Robert (Sarah Goggin) performance with Deloris about the ‘Life I never led’ is movingly performed.
SISTER ACT. Alexandra Burke as ‘Deloris Van Cartier’. Photo by Tristram Kenton
The transformation of the set is simple and effective as it becomes a nightclub, convent or church, but the transformation of it into the back alley with the transient and down and outs is very cleverly crafted. The skill of the cast as they transform themselves from the dregs of society into what they dream of being is very impressive, combined with their talent of singing and performing the music.
The speed of the choir’s transformation was a little hasty as it all happened in the second act, and perhaps their starting point was a depicted as being far worse than it needed to be. The dance moves of the choir have been influenced by Deloris and would have been more suitable for the nightclub than a church and occasionally the behaviour of the nuns was perhaps too unrealistic. All the nuns’ characters from the film were easily identifiable which made the show seem more familiar.
SISTER ACT. Alexanda Burke as ‘Deloris Van Cartier’ and Ensemble. Photo by Tristram Kenton
The topics touched on by the show are extremely varied and emotive – from murder, drugs and the seedier side of life to religion, and above all friendship. The entertainment is maintained from the start to the very end and you leave knowing you have seen a show with a great feel good factor and some great songs. This is an excellent evening’s entertainment for people of all ages!
Sister Act theatre review by Katey Thompson, March 2017.
Sister Act is running at the New Victoria Theatre in Woking until 25th March 2017.
