It was delightful to see a packed house for the opening night of Sister Act at Grimsby Auditorium. The scene is set upon arrival with 70s disco music playing and an arch across the proscenium that offers the suggestion of a church but with a disco twist and bright lights focussed on the audience before the show begins. Some bold theatre-goers really got into the swing of things by dressing as nuns (unless they were ACTUAL nuns on a cheeky night out!) and it was clear from the off that people were ready and willing to party.
Sister Act the musical, is based on a beloved comedy from the early 90s and is set in 1977. Originally a vehicle for Whoopi Goldberg's comedic stylings, this show transcends the single star vehicle and allows multiple performers to shine, never pushing one performer over another. It is a thoroughly joyous experience and should be prescribed on the NHS as a cure for depression. It also provides a welcome distraction to real world events in the world of politics here in the UK this week.
The story is simple, a wannabe nightclub singer, Delores Van Cartier, witnesses her lover murdering a henchman and agrees to become a witness for the prosecution. This act necessitates Delores being taken into protective custody and being hidden away from her would-be captors in a convent, disguised as a nun.
This is where the fish out of water comedy really kicks in as Delores finds it almost impossible to blend in with her humble surroundings. Wanting to help the sister of the convent out. as she develops a soft spot for them, Delores coaches the dreadful choir to lead them into almost superstar status as a hot gospel act that the Pope demands to see, drawing undue attention from the gangsters who track her down. The climax and the resolution are fairly predictable but no-one cares, the audience gets what they want and everyone leaves happy, with a real buzz in the air.
The music is (if you will excuse the very bad pun) divine. I have been a fan of Alan Menken ever since I first discovered Little Shop of Horrors back in the 1980s and he has achieved superstar composer status since by composing for Disney among others on The Little Mermaid and Beauty and the Beast. Glenn Slater's lyrics and the book by Cheri & Bill Steinkeller combine effectively, to draw the audience into this world. This production, directed by Bill Buckhurst and choreographed by Alistair David is slick and fast-paced and time slips by imperceptibly as you are drawn into the world of nightclubs, nuns and nasty gangsters.
The big name of the production is Wendi Peters, probably best known for her role on Coronation Street rather than her (extensive) career in both theatre and musical theatre. Here she plays the role of the Mother Superior, reluctant to accommodate the request of the police to hide Delores and even more reluctant to embrace her disruptive behaviour and its impact upon the nuns collectively. She is a fine singer and has great comic timing making it an ideal combination for the feisty Reverend Mother.
As Delores, Landi Oshinowo is not a name many in Grimsby will recognise but that should not stop you wanting to se this show. Oshinowo is magnificent in the role. She presents a truthful credibility as the slightly downtrodden nightclub singer who has never excelled in her career and yet possesses a voice to raise the roof - which she does to great effect in this production. I loved her comedic performance and the strength which she displays as she faces her fears and her oppressor towards the end of the show.
As the postulate Sister Mary Robert, Eloise Runnette is charming, witty and eager. She possesses the most expressive eyes that really draw an audience in and convince them of the sincerity of her character, even from a distance, I was impressed with exactly how Runnette presents her character through her eyes, not something you always expect to see in a musical, but very convincing. And her solo spot blows the audience away as her voice soars to the rafters performing The Life I Never Led superbly.
For me however, the performance of the night came from Alfie Parker as Eddie the cop. Eddie is most certainly not a conventional romantic lead, but Parker handles it so well he makes him one. He gives a funny and incredibly sensitive performance, demonstrating superb comic chops and a beautiful singing voice. For a big man he is surprisingly nimble and manages to throw some shapes and busts a fair few moves convincingly whilst never dropping character. I loved his performance. I Could Be That Guy was my favourite song of the night.
With such a large cast it is difficult to do justice to the many excellent performances but every nun gave it her all, as did each of the villainous bad guys especially during the number, Lady in the Long Black Dress. Every performer contributed to the explosion of joy experienced at this opening night. I cannot stress how I would recommend this show enough to audiences in need of some exuberant escapism. Sister Act runs at Grimsby Auditorium until 6th July. If you can get a ticket do yourself a favour, it is teh perfect pick-me up for a never-ending election week!
Andy Evans 3 July 2024
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