"Sister Act - The Musical"

Nottingham Theatre Royal.

"Sister Act" is the story of Deloris Van Cartier , a nightclub singer who witnesses her boyfriend, gangster and nightclub owner Curtis, shooting one of his henchmen and decides to squeal to the police. She is then hidden within a group of nuns, for her own protection, and teaches them to sing, So well in fact that they are invited to sing in front of the Pope which attracts the attention of the media, and of course Curtis and his henchmen.

And so to my favourite bit...let there be praise!

Deloris Van Cartier is played by Landi Oshinowo. Landi is a name that I'll admit that I've never heard of previously, and that is the joy of a musical that tours as it brings with it fabulous performers, and Landi is most definitely FABULOUS! Your eyes gravitate to her and your ears open wide to hear the power of this divine woman's vocals. Not only that but she gets to wear some gorgeous costumes; just wait for the final costume change, showing her to be every inch a diva.

Wendi Peters may surprise some people as she is better known as playing the role of Cilla Battersby in Coronation Street, but playing Mother Superior is a million miles away from the Weatherfield cobbles, and Wendi proves that. It's no surprise that Wendi has a very good voice for musical theatre and brings out the character needed for Mother Superior, serious as well as comedy wise, plus there are some heavenly dance moves, especially in the finale for Wendi to bust out.

Callum Martin as Eddie Souther. Here's another name that I'd not heard on a Nottingham stage before, but what a discovery. Alfie has a really soulful voice that goes from a whisper to a belter, especially during his big number "I Could Be That Guy" which has a couple of clever costume changes involved. Here is a character that you can really root for as he transforms from zero to hero. I still think it a shame that they have dropped the nickname "Sweaty" in favour of "Steady". 

Ian Gareth-Jones as Curtis Jackson, the baddie and Deloris' married lover. Everyone loves a baddie and Ian really works this, but with a generous dollop of comedy. Just listen to the lyrics of Curtis' big number "When I Find My Baby"  as he gets ever more evil in his intentions of what he is going to do to Deloris when he manages to find her!

Elliot Gooch plays TJ, nephew of Curtis', Michalis Antoniou is Pablo, the Italian counterpart in the trio of Curtis' henchmen and Harvey Ebbage plays Joey. This is a fun trio who also get to perform one of my favourite comedy songs from a musical "Lady In The Long Black Dress". Each one of this trio has a certain personality which these three actors present wonderfully.

Clement, the fourth of Curtis' henchmen, who makes a swift exit, creating the pivotal scene of why Deloris has to go into hiding, is played by Harvey Ebbage.

Eloise Runnette as Sister Mary Robert, the shy nun who soon comes out of her shell with Deloris' influence. Eloise has one of those voices that send tingles up your arms, round the back of your neck and down your backbone; the power and control is gorgeous to hear, especially in the divine "The Life I Never Led". What makes this role even more special is that this is Eloise's professional stage debut as Sister Mary Robert.

Sister Mary Patrick is played by Isabel Canning who has the most amazing operatic voice.

Julie Stark plays another one of my favourite Sisters. Sister Mary Lazarus. This sister at first appears grumpy, but underneath that initial hard exterior is a heavenly heart of gold, who also has a pretty wild side, as shown in a marvellous section of rapping and dance. It must be an absolute boon for a serious actor to be offered a role like this because the role is such fun, and for anyone who has never seen this musical, a character that performs a complete U Turn in personality, which is what makes her so fun to watch.

Kate Powell is Sister Mary Martin Of Tours and Jane Ashley plays Sister Mary Theresa.

Monsignor O' Hara, who really buys into the more wild and glam side of the convent, emerging ever more glittery in each scene, is played by Phillip Arran.

Michelle and Tina, who are Deloris' original backing singers and dancers at the start are played by Esme Laudat and Amber Kennedy, both looking fabulous in the 1970's retro costumes.

The rest of the heavenly cast consist of Joseph Connor, Ceris Hine, Sheri Lineham, Corrine Priest and Samuel John-Humphreys.

Directed by Bill Buckhurst, who really keeps this musical flying with angel wings. It is a long musical, but the time you do not notice due to the swift scene changes and rapidness of the storyline. 

Choreography by Alistair David, and there's a lot of choreography here, including some faithful Seventies dance moves. Nineteen songs, with reprises, means that there's a lot of dancing performed. From the sexily comic "Lady In The Long Black Dress" to the energy of "Sunday Morning Fever" and the brilliantly staged "I Could Be That Guy". All making for a treat for the eyes, especially in those outrageous costumes.

The Set and Costume Design is  by Morgan Large. A wonderful set that just seemed to slot into the staging, almost cinematic in parts with the three sections at the back that opened and closed to reveal external scenes like the TV report scene. The costumes, as I've already alluded to are brilliantly tacky 1970's flares and loud colours or wide striped suits for the men. Michelle and Tina's costumes are everything I could remember from backing dancers from disco divas on Top Of the Pops from that era. The nun's habits are the standard black and white, but then evolve into the most colourful explosion of glittery colour - imagine the United Colours Of Benetton advert but with buckets full of sequins and glitter and you'll get the idea. And then there's that fab-u-lous final costume for Deloris which will take your breath away. Donna Summer would be proud of that one!

Lighting Design by Tim Mitchell. As you'd expect, this is the seventies, so the lighting is going to be extremely colourful, and it is. It's like an evening in your favourite disco at times with the lights and the mirror balls, in complete contrast to the stark black and white surroundings of the convent, but even the gothic architecture seemed to glow with expectant glamness after a while.

Sound Design by Tom Marshall. Absolutely perfect. I heard every word, sung and spoken and the mix between the orchestra and the vocals was as if you were listening to a CD copy of the soundtrack.

Musical Supervision by Stephen Brooker and the Musical Director is Tom Slade. This orchestra sounded like the sort that had been put in deep freeze from the era of disco and then microwaved to hot, hot, hot! They sounded original retro disco orchestra like Martyn Ford or Michael Zager, with just a touch of James Last (in his 70's period of making non stop "dance the whole night long" style recordings). Clean and retro classy.

The songs will get your hands clapping, your toes tapping and on your feet at the end of the night. Brilliant rousers like "Take Me To Heaven", "Raise Your Voice" and "Sunday Morning Fever" and some lovely tender moments like "I Haven't Got A Prayer" and "The Life I Never Led" along with some very funny songs (just listen to the words and remember The Floaters "Float On") from TJ, Pablo and Joey with "Lady In The Long Black Dress".

This is one of my favourite musicals because of the fun element in the story, in the wonderful characters, the brilliant soundtrack and choreography and with this wonderful cast.

If you're not on your feet and clapping at the end of this show you must be deaf, daft or dead, or all three.

"Sister Act The Musical" is raising the roof of the Nottingham Theatre Royal until Saturday 21 September. Heaven forbid that you should let this one pass you by!