Of course it would be easy to slip into those cliches about this being a Heavenly musical or full of good habits etc but in truth, and they are all correct, this comedy musical was far more than that!
There is little wonder why this travelling spectacular has been such a great hit. For those that recall the movie version with Whoopie Goldberg it needs to be said that this show goes above, and that’s not a cliché, and beyond!
This was a review I was really looking forward to with great expectations and it didn’t fail to deliver! And so, on with the show ….
I have had the privilege of reviewing a number of musicals at the Grimsby Auditorium over the years but this one had that special something that is hard to explain. However, I can but try! A big surprise to me was “Steady Eddie” played by Alfie Parker.
Here was the Police Chief, secretly in love with Deloris from their school days, looking a forlorn and depressive figure until BANG! He snapped into life with a song about his aspirations of a future relationship with Deloris called “I Could Be That Guy”. His voice was amazing – going from soft to powerhouse rock! And then – and I have never seen this before – he completes not one but three costume changes within the song! Fully deserving his ovation at the end of the show!
Another incredible transformation came in the shape of Sister Mary Robert played by Eloise Runnette (every Sister was a Mary!) She started as the shy retiring novice with a quiet voice.
However, Once Deloris – I’ll come to her later – tutored the choir without a voice, both Sister Mary Robert and the rest of the Sisters came alive singing in a powerful harmony that had the Auditorium rocking! Eloise, it must be said, hit the high note of the evening, in her song “The Life I Never Led”, that totally changed her character. Without doubt a real talent!
Of course Sister Act is a musical Comedy. Therefore the collective roles of the Sisters and the Gangsters really kept the audience entertained. Those gangsters, while trying to look evil, carried so many funny lines like “I’ll disembowel that girl” mixed with perfect timing and choreography!
But then there were those Sisters! They certainly carried the show to the highest level.! What great performers and dare I mention the wonderful choreography yet again! Their dance routines had everyone tapping their feet but the comedic timing was perfection!
Each Nun carried an individual personality of their own from one with the croaky voice to the overexcited one supressed in their convent no more after the arrival of Deloris!
Then there are the big stars of the show. Firstly there is Landi Oshinowo in the lead role of Deloris Van Cartier. She was simply meant for this part! He voice is amazing and her performance was, and once again I can mention this as with the whole cast, perfect comedy timing within great songs, such as “Sister Act” and “Take me to Heaven”.
She even had the Monsignor, played by Phillip Arran, dancing away to the beat! Oshinowo has a long list of theatrical credits to her name with leading roles in Matilda, The Color Purple and numerous other productions. She certainly smashed her role as Deloris and if they ever take this to a film version she would surely take the lead!
And then that brings me to the well known Wendi Peters in the role of Mother Superior. Her TV Credits include of course playing Cilla Battersby for four years in Coronation Street and Nicky Connelly in Doctors and film credits that included “In Love and War” and “Out of Africa”.
Peters also ran a one-woman show – Let Me Sing and I’m Happy – in London. So that should have informed me of of the wonderful performer and singer that she certainly is. “Here Within These Walls” was a song informing the non-Catholic showgirl Deloris what was expected of her in her life within the Convent walls and “I Haven’t Got aA Prayer” that highlighted her frustration at coping with the presence of Deloris on the other Sisters. A truly memorable performance.
Then, on a stage designed to replicate a Convent but with majestic lighting, there was that unbelievable finale! After two hours of wearing those black habits the Nuns and entire cast re-emerge in glitzy costumes that dazzled the audience that were now on their feet clapping and dancing!
This was an awesome end to the show and the ovation was well-deserved! This show of course is touring the country but is at the Grimsby Auditorium until Saturday. So if you want a show that is full of laughter, song, romance and drama (at times) then this is one not to be missed! I wouldn’t mind going again… would that be Sister Act 2?