“Sister Act” by Musicality
Nottingham Arts Theatre

In 1978, Disco Diva Deloris Van Cartier is a cabaret/lounge singer, which is run by her mobster boyfriend, Vince LaRocca. Deloris witnesses her mobster boyfriend commit a murder, and reports it to the police.

Deloris just happens to recognise the policeman as an old college friend called Eddie, or “sweaty” Eddie as she remembers him. He has an idea to hider Deloris in a convent for her safety under the witness protection act.

At first, obviously she does not fit in with the nuns but when she discovers that music is something that she has in common with the nuns, she turns the convent around with the power of disco and soul music and discovers the importance of friendship along the way.

That's the story, just in case you've never seen the film, now I have a question for you.

WHY HAVE YOU NOT BOUGHT YOUR TICKETS YET????

This show has fun written all over it and when you think these actors are full time students, how did they perform this show so good when they have studies and a social life? Well I know they have forgone one of the above!

Produced by Nathan Penney and Sascha Cornelius and Directed by Rhodri Denton, assisted by Jake Gelernter, The show is full on entertainment with some wonderful choreographed pieces by Maria Bennett; some pieces, I couldn't remember from other productions I've seen, making this production seem very fresh.

A massive cast, so forgive me for not mentioning every one of this amazingly energetic cast.

Adaeze Olugbemi absolutely shone as Deloris. Her energy and fizz bubbled with every move. Her dancing was exciting and wild in places which was right for Deloris and her enthusiasm was catchy as hell in this heavenly performance.

Boyfriend and gangster bad boy, Curtis was played by James Thacker. I've seen James act before but never noticed what a really strong voice he has. His cheekiness though dilutes that bad boy image but takes nothing away from a splendid gangster role.

Curtis' henchmen Joey (jack Butler), T.J. (Matthew Charlton) and Pablo (Matt Talbot) injected the comedy. Their cheesy choreography was spot on and their main song "Lady In The Long Black Dress" was as spot on as their 70's dance routines.

Our hero cop, "Sweaty" Eddie Souther was played by Curtis Kane. Can I just say that this man has a singing voice to die for. He gave soul to the part of Eddie and could see him being a hit with the ladies and a possible recording artist. Old soul with a modern feel, making Eddie's character feel very fresh. this boy can dance as well!

Monsignor O'Hara was played by Jack Linley. Again I love his enthusiasm, but I just couldn't place the Irish accent.

Mother Superior was played by Charlotte Mann, and she was another one that made me mouth "WOW" when she started to sing. her voice is made for musical theatre.

Sister Mary Robert, played by Amy Foden is another actor blessed with one of those voices that you could listen to all night. When she sang "The Life I never Led", I believed every single word.

It would be difficult to pick out any nun over the next for gusto and entertainment value so I'm not going to. Emily Dervey, Hannah Kitching, Charlotte Howarth, Laura Gallagher and the rest of the ensemble were great fun to behold.

Providing backing vocals, and dancing their socks off for Deloris were Claire Wimbush (Michelle) and Toni Ruta (Tina).

The band, under the Musical Direction of Matthew Herbert were amazing. the sound was so clear and oozed a 70's feeling, and great to see them on stage.

No set as such, but that didn't matter, the props were all you needed to place the police station, the nightclub and the nunnery.

This show is such great fun, and the cast and production team made sure that this was the feel of the whole production. Loved the costumes and hair. in fact I couldn't find anything that didn't make me smile throughout.

This possibly could be the best production to date from Musicality, and that's a bold statement having experienced their previous productions.

Now, why haven't you got your tickets? Go now and buy them before the devil smites you down!

“Sister Act” is raising the roof while Musicality are raising their voices at the Nottingham Arts Theatre until Saturday 17 February 2018