Music: Alan Menken

Lyrics: Glenn Slater

Book: Cheri Steinkellner & Bill Steinkellner

Director: Jerry Zaks

Choreographer: Anthony Van Laast

Reviewer: Marina Spark

The Public Reviews Rating:

Fun, family-friendly and FABULOUS, Sister Act at The Mayflower, Southampton had the whole house boogying in their seats from start to finish. Let’s all praise The Mayflower for bringing this heavenly production to Southampton.

The 1992 film, starring Whoopie Goldberg, is well known and much loved by many and I was expecting a very good pastiche of the film. What has been produced by a group of people, including Whoopie Goldberg herself, is far more than a stage adaptation of the film. ‘Sister Act’ is a marvellous production and stands alone, not needing the film’s popularity and success as verification for its own genius. The story is much the same but what really makes it stand out is the original score by Alan Menken. The songs hit the perfect balance between creating a musical spectacle and serving to progress the storyline, meaning that the overall pace of the production is spot on. The lyrics match the music with serious sass; Glenn Slater has written some hilariously witty, touching, feel-good lyrics that I am certain will be sung for many years to come.

The set, designed by Klara Zieglerova, was surprisingly intricate for a touring musical and as such created a visual delight. Similarly, the costumes were first class. Lez Brotherston’s clever designs made for some impressively slick, lightening quick costume changes which resulted in audible gasps from the audience.

Not a single performer was anything other than faultless. The gorgeous Cynthia Erivo plays Deloris Van Cartier with perfection. Her technical skill as a singer is awe-inspiring and her sincerity and comic timing as an actress is highly watchable. Denise Black’s po-faced Mother Superior provided the ideal juxtaposition to Erivo’s larger than life Doris. ‘Sweaty’ Eddie, the endearingly pitiful police officer with a crush on Deloris is played by Edward Baruwa, whose natural warmth and sincerity shows through in his performance and created a great deal of circumstantial humour.

The villains of the show made for some of the most memorable comic moments, especially in ‘When I Find My Baby’, where cheesy smiles and a hilarious dance routine make them the friendly neighbourhood killers of Philadelphia. Cavin Cornwall plays Curtis Jackson with style and confidence. His trio of hapless sidekicks played by Gavin Alex, Tyrone Huntley and Daniel Stockton all brought individual comic strength to their roles which merged to create the perfect comedy triangle.

Even more humour came from the Nuns, with Sister Mary Lazarus, played by Jacqueline Clarke, providing the highlight of the show for me with her skilful, side-splitting rap in the style of The Sugarhill Gang’s ‘Rappers Delight’. The progression from solemn and serious to enthused and inspired was really well demonstrated by the whole company of nuns and made for great moments in the story’s progression, with Sister Mary Patrick played by Laurie Scarth and Sister Mary Robert played by Julie Atherton leading the way.

Sister Act has a lot going for it; a fantastic score, stylish set and a cast and orchestra that gives it one hundred percent. Full of laugh-out loud, heart warming and uplifting moments, Sister Act is a show that everyone needs to see. You will leave the theatre with a beaming smile on your face and a high spirit. My only regret is that I’m not going back to The Mayflower every night to see it again and again.

Runs until 3rd March then continues touring

 

Tags: Alan Menken, Anthony van Laast, Bill Steinkellner, Cavin Cornwall, Cheri Steinkellner, Cynthia Erivo, Daniel Stockton, Denise Black, Edward Baruwa, Gavin Alex, Glenn Slater, Jacqueline Clarke, Jerry Zaks, Julie Atherton, Klara Zieglerova, Laurie Scarth, Lez Brotherston, Mark Crossland, Michael Kosarin, Michael Starke, Sister Act, Southampto, Stage Entertainment, The Mayflower, Tyrone Huntley, Whoopie Goldberg