Review of Sister Act at the Bristol Hippodrome until Saturday 24 September 2016
Posted on: 2016-09-20
Our rating:
This is a vibrant and flamboyant production with some slick, punchy dance numbers and an ensemble who double up as very accomplished musicians....Fast moving, laugh-a-minute and an absolute joy to watch, this really is a must-see production.
Hallelujah! Praise the Lord. A fun, fabulous and funky production of Sister Act has arrived in town and is showing at The Bristol Hippodrome until Saturday 24th September as part of its latest UK tour. Check out our 5 star review below and Get Tickets Here.
Based on the 1992 film starring Whoopi Goldberg and Maggie Smith but with an entirely original score from Tony and Oscar winner Alan Menken, this glossy and feisty musical production is full of high-spirited energy and mischievous zest, enough to leave the audience dancing in the aisles.
Set in the 70s, Sister Act tells the story of sassy soul songstress Deloris Van Cartier, who having witnessed a murder involving her low-life gangster boyfriend, is hidden away under protective custody in a convent. Laying low disguised as a nun is not something Deloris finds easy, eventually drawing attention to herself and the sisters in the convent by using her considerable singing talent to turn the straight-laced nuns somewhat lacklustre choir in a vivacious group of soul singing disco divas.
Alexandra Burke in the role of Deloris shows that she is so much more than just an X-Factor act. Glamorous, an accomplished actress and oozing real star quality she delivers a delightfully funny turn and shows excellent comic timing. There are some fantastically funny scenes as Deloris takes the sisters out for beers and encourages them to “shake their buns”. Vocally she gives a powerhouse performance, with the strong beats and disco soundtrack perfectly suiting her formidably soulful voice. Burke has real presence on the stage and is compelling to watch, a true leading lady.
She is ably supported by Karen Mann, who is delightfully prudish in the role of Mother Superior desperately trying to deal with the impact this whirlwind of a woman is having on her pious community and presents her lines with a dry wit that was real a hit with the audience.
Other notable performances in this stunning cast come from Jon Robyns as shy cop and love interest Eddie, Susannah Van Den Berg who is a fun and bubbly Sister Mary Patrick and Sarah Goggin as the naïve young postulant Sister Mary Robert who delivers a divine version of “The Life I Never Led”.
Directed and choreographed by Craig Revel Horwood of Strictly Come Dancing fame - who was spotted in the Hippodrome audience last night singing and dancing along with his fabulous cast - this is a vibrant and flamboyant production with some slick, punchy dance numbers and an ensemble who double up as very accomplished musicians. Along with some catchy, memorable songs and a palpable energy it makes for a fantastic night’s entertainment celebrating love, diversity and friendship.
If you’re a fan of the original film then you are sure to love Sister Act. Fast moving, laugh-a-minute and an absolute joy to watch, this really is a must-see production.
5/5 review by Sarah-Jane Howard
Ticket prices range from £20.40 to £65.90 (box seats) and are available online here.
Article by:
Sarah-Jane is an aficionado of film, theatre, culture and the arts. A voracious reader and avid crafter, she can be found volunteering her face painting talents at Bristol Zoo when she's not cementing her reputation as Coalpit Heath’s cake maker extraordinaire. Known to have an opinion on everything she’s never happier than when sharing these with the good folk of Bristol!
