Review of Sister Act at The Bristol Hippodrome

Posted on: 2014-10-29

Our rating:

Like the collective sisterhood, by the end it's impossible not to feel you've gone through your own personal transformative redemption ? you feel good, uplifted, and so much better for it.


 

Praise the Lord! The Bristol Light Opera Club has injected its own holy triumvirate of mirth, singing/dancing nuns, and exuberant song-making with its own irresistible take on Sister Act being performed at The Bristol Hippodrome from 28 October to 1 November 2014.

Based on Whoopi Goldberg's phenomenally successful 1992 movie of the same name, it tells the story of disco diva Deloris Van Cartier who, after witnessing a murder perpetrated by her boyfriend, is placed in protective custody in a local convent.  

***Buy Sister Act tickets - click for Bristol Hippodrome Online Box Office or call 0844 8713012***

Needless to say, Deloris' spunky, firebrand attitude doesn't go down too well with the convent's strict Mother Superior, but her high spirits and rebellious streak are enthusiastically embraced by the other nuns. It's not long before Deloris and the sisters join forces to transform their abysmal choir into the hottest, roof-raising music act in town. 

Fact fan alert: Sister Act was first performed in America in 2006 before a run in the West End in 2009, then Broadway, then worldwide. It's been seen by more than a million theatre-goers and has been nominated for four Olivier Awards - and it's easy to see why. 

The most noticeable change is that the action here has been transposed from 1990s Reno and San Francisco to 1970s Philadelphia. Composer Alan Menken - eight-time Oscar-winning tunesmith of such classics as Beauty and the Beast and Aladdin - infuses his songs and score with a distinctive disco vibe, all funky riffs, cool grooves and waw-waw guitars. Glenn Slater's lyrics are suitably smart, impish and inspired ("I love the sweet sensation of extreme self-flagellation").

There's no 'Aint No Mountain High Enough' here or any other song from its progenitor (licensing was withheld), so those expecting a scene-for-scene, song-for-song re-tread of the film might be disappointed. But this departure works to its advantage, taking inspiration from its source but tweaking it to add its own divine, bristling energy and distinctive, fresh personality.

'Raise Your Voice', 'Spread the Love Around' and 'Bless Our Show' are notable highlights: exuberant, plucky showstoppers full of vibrant musical and lyrical invention.

The cast is fantastic: Emma Watkins' sassy Deloris, Faye Banks' exasperated Mother Superior, Grace McDonald's coming-out-of-her-shell Sister Mary Robert, and Alison Sutton's gyrating octogenarian Sister Mary Lazarus head up a solid ensemble. The dance routines are bang on the money, the costumes magnificent, and the spectacular sets shift effortlessly from scene to scene, aided by clever projections and evocative lighting to add layers of depth and character. 

Parts of the second act feel a little rushed, but overall this is a raucous, irreverent, never less than dazzling production; brash, riotous, but with a massive heart and tender soul. Like the collective sisterhood, by the end it's impossible not to feel you've gone through your own personal transformative redemption – you feel good, uplifted, and so much better for it.

Hallelujah to that. 

5/5

Reviewed by Jamie Caddick for 365Bristol

Sister Act at The Bristol Hippodrome from 28 Oct to 1 Nov 2014



Article by:

James Anderson

Born and raised in the suburbs of Swansea, Jimmy moved to Bristol back in 2004 to attend university. Passionate about live music, sport, science and nature, he can usually be found walking his cocker spaniel Baxter at any number of green spots around the city. Call James on 078 9999 3534 or email Editor@365Bristol.com.