“Sister Act” by Greasepaint Productions
Loughborough Town Hall

There are a few things that I personally can count on as I walked through the sliding glass doors of the Loughborough Town Hall to watch “Sister Act”. The first is the choice of musical. “Sister Act” is a brilliant comedy which is jam packed with some brilliant songs. The second is the history of shows put on by Greasepaint and the reputation of the cast and production crew.

Let’s start with the show itself. Deloris Van Cartier (Dawn Stewart) is witness to the murder of a “grass” by her boyfriend Curtis (Steve Duguid) and goes to the police and tells Eddie (Gareth Wynne) who is in charge of the police station and, in the past, had a bit of a crush of Deloris.

He finds her a safe haven with a group of nuns in the city’s convent, run by the Mother superior (Linda Moulton). Deloris finds it difficult to adjust to the staid regime but finds her niche within the nun’s choir. In the meantime Curtis and his henchmen TJ (James Highton), Joey (Ollie Lewin) and Pablo (Scott

Tomkins) are hot on her trail with the aim of silencing her.

This particular trio of TJ, Joey and Pablo really ramped up the applause from the audience with their typical 70's inspired dance routines and singing. Some great falsetto moments!

Deloris’s popularity with the choir though becomes her downfall as the added interest in the revamped choir is highlighted by the media which leads Curtis and co straight to the convent and trouble for the nuns, as well as Deloris!

The nuns are, as usual great fun to watch. Sister Mary Patrick (Charlotte Bond), Sister Mary Roberts (Alix Larter), Sister Mary Lazerus (Gillian Leeson), Sister Mary Martin of Tours (Hannah Underwood) and Monsignor O’ Hara (Sean Hickling) go under a conversion of their own with hilarious results and the choir has never been so hip sounding.

One of the many strengths in this company is their vocals, and this show really highlights this, both as a group and individually.

A wonderful ensemble flesh out main roles and provide a heavenly backdrop of sound and human visuals.

Tina is played by Nicky Hignett and Michelle is played by Paige Brierley.

I mentioned the production team for this musical and Director Shane Perryhas created a little bit of heaven on earth with this hell of a feel good musical.

I love the soundtrack of this musical and need no excuse to play “Sunday Morning Fever” on my radio programme on Sunday mornings. Musical director James Stevens creates a big bouncy sound especially with the 70’s disco themed songs. Tracks like "Take Me To Heaven", "Raise Your Voice" and "Fabulous Baby" will have you clapping along and listen for the comedy in "When I Find My Baby" and the hilarious "Lady In the Long Black Dress".

Couple those with some lovely ballads like "Here within These Walls" and "The Life I Never Led" make sure that there is something musically for everyone.

Choreographing the whole show is a task and a half but what results Jeanette Patrick-Cooper has reaped from the cast.The energy the cast put into these routines is insane.

As you'd expect, the costumes are wonderful. From the nun's habits, with their various glittery adornments, to the wacky 1970's suits, and loved the combo that Curtis wore. Deloris's final outfit was just stunning.

Loved the sets, which at times took a little longer than maybe should have done to change, but that's me being mega picky.

Lighting (Kevin Cutts) and sound design (Dave Cooper and Jack Harper) made this show a visually pleasing as well as audibly pleasant experience.

You will leave this theatre feeling so good, you'll feel heaven blessed. And if you're feeling just a bit down, then this is just what the doctor ordered to put a smile back on your face and a chuckle in your belly.

“Sister Act” is at Loughborough Town Hall until Saturday 28 October 2017 and is absolutely divine entertainment which will have you pulling on your FM Boots to party round in, but wait till you get home eh?