Review by: Paul Towers, 11/08/16
Sister Act by Alan Menken, Glenn Slater and Cheri &
Bill Steinkellner
A Curve and Jamie Wilson Co-production, directed by Craig Revel Horwood
Curve 30th July to 13 August 2016
“hosanna your way to a hugely enjoyable evening’s
entertainment”
Once again Curve has cemented its growing reputation for
producing great touring shows that premier here in Leicester.
Of course this is not a brand new show, it was premiered in
2006 in America, having been inspired by the 1992 film starring Whoopi Goldberg
who also produced the London production in 2009.
Broadly following the plot of the film Deloris Van Cartier,
a Vegas saloon singer with aspirations beyond her talent, witnesses a gangland
killing by her abusive boyfriend and goes into a Police Protection programme.
This entails her being secreted in a convent, much to the chagrin of the Mother
Superior. Bored out her mind and causing havoc Deloris is put in charge of the
abysmal church choir which she whips into nationally acclaimed shape. Thus
bringing her to the attention of her erstwhile boyfriend who comes looking for
her to silence her. Of course it all works out in the end; Deloris ends up with
her dependable childhood sweetheart, the church is restored and the
congregation swells to breaking point.
This show is almost fool-proof and virtually unbreakable so
long as the cast can sing. Craig Revel Horwood, he of Strictly fame, has
assembled a very talented cast who, mostly, sing, dance, act, do comedy and
play instruments. Horwood signature is having instrumentalists on stage as part
of the ensemble. In this case most of the main cast can play as well.
The set is a vast cloistered reception room that easily
portrays the church and convent as well as various rooms.
All this would be for nothing, aesthetic as it is, if the
main characters weren’t strong enough
and in Alexandra Burke as Deloris and Karen Mann as Mother Superior Revel
Horwood has two very capable performers who match each other for comedy, pathos
and great singing. Burke especially has a voice that will raise any church roof
and propel it well up to its maker.
Sometimes when a comedy film is adapted for the stage the
laughs are watered down but this production has every comedy line and moment
from the beloved film and a whole lot more. Much is also made of the fact that
the story is set in 1977. This allows some nice digs at the awful haircuts and
fashions of the era as well as the dances. Poor John Travolta’s Saturday Night
Fever is a particular target.
In the unlikely event that you can get a ticket before it
moves on, grab it and hosanna your way to a hugely enjoyable evening’s
entertainment in the arms of our Lord.
Failing that make a special trip to see it on tour. Details
at www.sisteractuktour.co.uk/
First published on Western Gazette
No comments:
Post a Comment