Theatre review of Sister Act the Musical at the London Palladium
Whoopi Goldberg makes it to London for the first night of the nun-filled musical starring Sheila Hancock and Patina Miller
3 June 2009
Rating: 4/5
WE'VE had Dirty Dancing, Priscilla Queen of the Desert and and Billy Elliott . Here's the next movie-turned-musical - a blockbuster stage version of the hit Whoopi Goldberg flick Sister Act. It's becoming a habit. And though it starts slowly, an irresistible second act makes this big budget show go with a bang, not a wimple.
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Co-produced by, but not starring, Goldberg, it loosely borrows the plot (disco queen hides in convent after witnessing murder) from the 1992 film but ditches its gospel-sodden songs for an original score.
It's not an immediate success. For a while it meanders through sub-Lloyd Webber saccharine, only picking up late in the first act. But once Patina Miller's Deloris starts teaching the nuns about music and the world it bursts into vibrant life.
Miller is brilliant, all sass and sex, while Sheila Hancock in the Maggie Smith role as Mother Superior and ex-EastEnder Ian Lavender (Monsignor Howard) are sharp. Aside from the big chorus numbers, a hilarious Barry White parody is the pick of the songs. The whirling sets are spectacular.
By the time Goldberg herself ambles on for the curtain call, the crowd is roaring. It's the feel-good show of the summer.
Sister Act, until 13 Feb 2010, London Palladium, 8 Argyll Street, W1F 7TF, 020 7494 5020
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