Sister Act at the Dominion Theatre is a fabulous, uplifting, hilarious show full of incredible songs and sisterhood. Its talented cast spread the news and rock the pews with their phenomenal vocals, brilliant comedy and fantastic energy. It truly is one terrific Sister Act!
Sister Act, first performed in the West End in 2009 and based on the 1992 film of the same name, includes a musical score by Alan Menken, with songs such as ‘Raise Your Voice’, ‘Fabulous Baby’, and ‘Spread the Love Around’ raising the roof at the Dominion Theatre. Led by Alexandra Burke as Deloris Van Cartier (as in Cartier, baby), this show utilises excellent costumes, a fantastic set, and exciting, bold lighting design to bring the Our Lady Of Immaculate Sorrow convent to life. The finale is particularly energetic and sparkly, with every costume dazzling and the entire stage lighting up like a rainbow. The show also uses really clear transitions throughout to distinguish between the Philadelphia nightclubs and bars, and the church.
I’d particularly like to highlight how brilliantly the stage management team, crew, front of house, and cast recovered from a show stop near the end of the performance. The pope’s golf cart remaining in the middle of the stage mid finale is difficult to dance around and the crew dealt with it swiftly and professionally whilst the cast came back out with even more enthusiasm and sparkle, ensuring an amazing end to the show!
The entire ensemble of nuns bring brilliant joy and energy to the show, creating a true feeling of sisterhood. Alongside the heartwarming and feel good ensemble numbers, there are also particular standout solo numbers. Alexandra Burke embodies the role of Deloris with style, spectacular vocals, and real emotion, and sings ‘Sister Act’ so beautifully it brings actual tears. She brings energy and sparkle to ‘Take Me to Heaven’ and ‘Fabulous Baby’ and leads the ensemble numbers ‘Raise Your Voice’, ‘Bless Our Show’, and ‘Sunday Morning Fever’ with phenomenal riffs and beautiful soaring vocals. Lizzie Bea is also a vocal superstar. From her first solo moment as a quiet, shy nun to the reprise of her stunning solo Life I Never Led she is phenomenal. Together, Burke and Bea as Deloris and Sister Mary Robert show brilliant emotion, causing goosebumps and (once again) tears. They demonstrate the importance of having a friend, a sister, there for you but also in making your own choices. Ruth Jones portrays the Mother Superior and similarly shows off a powerful voice, with her poignant and comedic solos. She is hilarious throughout, as she explains how she came to the church from Wales, England, and represents with her Welsh Dragon socks which pair very well with her habit.
Monsignor O’Hara, portrayed by Carl Mullaney, is also especially humourous throughout, bringing comedy and excitement to all his scenes, and highlighting the way this show has created a production centred on Catholic nuns that continues to support and uplift LGBTQ+ pride.
Curtis, Deloris’ ex-boyfriend, portrayed by Lemar, and his team of gangsters bring great comedy throughout, whilst Eddie, played by Lee Mead, is heartfelt and humorous. Mead ensures Eddie grows into a reliable and supportive friend for Deloris, and together they have a great rapport. Mead also does a particularly impressive on stage quick change (twice), a testament to both his performance and the clever costume design!
The finale costume changes also contribute to the uplifting, party feel of the show and alongside energetic choreography and the orchestra’s brilliant rendition of Menken’s score ensure the whole audience are dancing and clapping along.
Sister Act at the Dominion Theatre is a truly fabulous show! Led by the incredible Alexandra Burke and a talented cast of hilarious and heartfelt characters, it’s a feel good, dazzling musical spectacle with fun choreography and a gorgeous score of uplifting songs! This is one terrific sister act!
Playing until the 31st August at the Dominion Theatre.
Embarking on a UK Tour 24 June – 5th October 2024.
https://www.sisteractthemusical.co.uk
Creative Team:
Music by Alan Menken
Lyrics by Glenn Slater
Book by Cheri and Bill Steinkellner
Direction by Bill Buckhurst
Choreography by Alistair David
Set and Costume Design by Morgan Large
Lighting Design by Tim Mitchell
Sound Design by Tom Marshall
Wigs, Hair, and Make Up by Sam Cox
Musical Direction by Neil Macdonald
Cast:
Alexandra Burke as Deloris Van Cartier
Ruth Jones as Mother Superior
Lesley Joseph as Sister Mary Lazarus
Lemar as Curtis Jackson
Lee Mead as Eddie Souther
Lizzie Bea as Sister Mary Robert
Alison Jiear as Sister Mary Patrick
Carl Mullaney as Monsignor O’Hara
Caroline Bateson as Onstage Swing
Natalia Brown as Tina
Damian Buhagiar as Pablo
Lori Haley Fox as Sister Mary Martin of Tours
Lauren Hall as Offstage Swing
Chloe Hopcroft as Onstage Swing
Tom Hopcroft as Joey
Bradley Judge as TJ
Claudia Kariuki as Michelle
Graham Macduff as Offstage Swing
Castell Parker as Clemont
Emma Ralston as Onstage Swing
Michael Ward as Onstage Swing
Jermaine Woods as Cop/Bartender