Sister Act at The Bristol Hippodrome
Posted on: 2017-08-08
Our rating:
Nun's the word!
Hallelujah! The fantastically sassy and gloriously over the top musical extravaganza that is Sister Act is back at The Bristol Hippodrome, making its second visit in just under a year. This high-energy tale of singing nuns has continued to wow audiences countrywide and has returned to give Bristol audiences another chance to get in on the act.
***Tickets to the remaining shows are available here***
This seventies-set saga is based on the 1992 movie starring Whoopi Goldberg and tells the story of glitzy nightclub singer Delores Van Cartier, who, fearing for her life after witnessing a gangland hit, is forced to take refuge in a convent much to the consternation of the Mother Superior. Finding it difficult to fit in with the pious sisters, the hard-talking Delores turns away from the criminal underworld and uses her musical prowess to turn the convent’s choir of tuneless nuns into a heavenly body of hip-swaying, booty-shaking, soul-singing divas; along the way discovering her own identity and ultimately finding redemption from past misdemeanours.
Played out on a stage crammed full of flares, sequins and glittery disco balls the essence of the seventies is there for all to see as Saturday Night Fever meets The Sound of Music. This production boasts a simple set designed by Matthew Wright and cleverly lit by Richard G Jones to double as both a nightclub and convent. It also showcases some high-octane dance numbers thanks to director and choreographer Craig Revel Horwood; this fabulous show is a theatrical roller-coaster, and an absolute delight to watch from start to finish. The musical moves away from the songs from the film and instead features an original score from Oscar-winner Alan Menken (Beauty and the Beast), which lends the tale a fresh new vibe.
Alexandra Burke is stunning in the lead role of sassy, brash and self-absorbed Delores. A natural on the stage she gives a flawless performance and proves she deserves to be known for her acting talent as well as her sensational singing voice. Her witty delivery alongside the ability to extract moments of pathos, a flair for physical comedy and that incredibly powerful voice perfectly embody the spirit of the character and hit all the right notes.
The supporting cast of nuns and gangsters are superb and on the whole give first rate, dynamic performances. Doubling as musicians with instruments as diverse as saxophone and washboard, they grab the opportunity to shine; clearly a talented bunch they perfectly captured the heart of the story and oozed seventies soul from every pore.
The nuns in particular are beautifully brought to life by the brilliant cast, who give each real depth and character. Of special note are Susannah Van Den Berg who is fun, delightfully quirky and a pleasure to watch as the effervescent Sister Mary Patrick. Sarah Goggin as young postulant Sister Mary Robert, who shows a touching naivety and shines with her dazzling vocals in the heart wrenching ‘The Life I Never Led’, and Liz Kitchen who gives a hilarious performance as straight talking, hard drinking, hip-hop singing Sister Mary Lazarus.
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Also popular with the audience is Karen Mann, her dry wit and suitably prudish turn in the role of Mother Superior was a real hit. She does a fine job as the traditional religious matriarch who struggles to deal with the impact that free-spirited Delores has on her devout sisters.
The real highlight of the show for me was the fabulous group performance ‘Take Me to Heaven’, a beautifully upbeat number that gets Delores and her chorus of nuns shaking their funky stuff. Exuding energy, charisma and a real joy in what they were doing they worked the audience into a toe-tapping frenzy.
Sister Act is a fun and funky show with sizzling choreography and killer vocals that make it a must-see. Showing at The Bristol Hippodrome until 12th August, this is the ultimate feel good night out, guaranteed to get the audience dancing in the aisles.
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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!
