Sister Act, The Alhambra, Bradford

Sister Act has returned to The Alhambra in Bradford with a show that will make you laugh and sing in this feel-good musical about friendship, togetherness, and most of all sisterhood!

The story is set around Christmas and New Years Eve 1977, in Philadelphia, with the costumes, wigs and platform boots evoking that era.

If you have seen the movie, this stage show follows the same plot. Disco diva and long-time Donna Summer fan, Deloris Van Cartier’s (Landi Oshinowo) life takes a surprising turn when she witnesses her gangster boyfriend, Curtis Jackson (Ian Gareth- Jones), shoot a man. Until the case comes to court Deloris has to go into hiding somewhere that Jackson will never find her – a Catholic convent.

At the convent, the nuns are tentatively persuaded to find their true singing voices as Deloris shows them the power of her own voice. They each discover their own voices with a joyful touch, as each nun takes a turn with a solo.

Although reluctant to hide Deloris at the convent Mother Superior (Lesley Joseph) warms to her new arrival and any barriers between the two characters are soon broken down. Joseph excelled in the role of Mother Superior, bringing her trademark no nonsense and straight-talking characteristics to the stage that you associate with her as Dorien in the television show, Birds of a Feather. Whilst Joseph could have taken the limelight, it never felt so, with the rest of this talented cast shining brightly.

With the convent running out of money and in danger of being sold, Deloris turns the choir into a class act who end up raising money to save the convent – that leads them to gaining national exposure and an opportunity to perform for the Pope.

The musical serves up a humorous and fun night with plenty of scenes that will have you almost falling off your seat with laughter. With gang boss Cutis Jackson and his three stooges TJ (Bradley Judge), Pablo (Damian Buhagiar) and Joey (Callum Martin) – they delivered some of the best slapstick scenes of the evening that could have come straight out of an episode of Laurel and Hardy.

A special mention goes to Alfie Parker, who plays the Philadelphia policeman, Eddie Souther, who has a secret crush on Deloris. His performance of the song, I Could Be That Guy comes complete with a quick costume change whilst standing on top of his desk at the police station. The scene easily was one of the many highlights of this entertaining show.

The nuns were magnificent, too, and Lizzie Bea as Sister Mary Robert brought an innocent yet humorous touch to the evening. Bea has been in the touring production of Sister Act for a few years now – her experience in the role shone brightly.

By the end of the night the sold-out audience were up on their feet for a rousing version of Raise Your Voice. Although the songs maybe not be as well known as those in other musicals, they were still ringing around my head the day after.

The Sisters are still doing it for themselves – just pray that you get a ticket. A great pick me up indeed.

Runs until Saturday 25th November 2023.