Based on the much-loved film and featuring music by Alan Menken, Sister Act is a joyful, high-energy musical comedy – a feel-good celebration of community, inclusivity and a little bit of divine disco. We hold this exclusive dialogue with Abigail Odat, the co-director of the show.
Q: This show is known for it’s joy and energy – how have you approached capturing that spirit with Centre Stage London?
We’ve really embraced the joy and energy of the show by celebrating the diversity of the Centre Stage society and our cast. Amateur theatre in London brings together people from all walks of life, and that mix of backgrounds and experiences is something we’re incredibly proud of. As a production team, we’re proud to continue celebrating inclusivity and openness, and we’ve loved making sure everyone has the chance to shine and bring their own individuality to the stage.
We’ve also leaned into the show’s energy, turning it into a real celebration of dance, perhaps even more than you might usually see in Sister Act the Musical. So prepare to be dazzled by disco!
Q: What was it about Sister Act the Musical that made you want to bring it to Fulham Broadway right now?
Sister Act the Musical is a story about overcoming differences to find your community, and that’s a message that feels particularly powerful right now. London is full of people from different backgrounds, and has a wonderful sense of community that really reflects the heart of this show. So, really it felt like a no brainer! Plus, this show is full of joy, energy and phenomenal music, which is something we could all use a bit more of. After all, who couldn’t do with a good laugh and a little disco in their lives these days?
Q: Alan Menken’s music is so iconic – were there any numbers that particularly excited or challenged the cast?
His score really is iconic, and our Musical Director, Eve Millward, has done a fabulous job of bringing it to life. The great thing about Sister Act the Musical is that it’s jam packed full of different songs – from disco-inspiration to powerful ballads, so there’s so much to take in. Songs like ‘Raise Your Voice’ and ‘Sunday Morning Fever’ are big crowd-pleasers, but they’ve also been a challenge for the cast too. In the songs, we’re constantly switching between small scenes of dialogue to dancing and singing, so they require a lot of energy and focus from everyone involved. It’s demanding, but the cast and creative team has had an absolute blast bringing the score to life!
Q: What has it been like working with this particular cast and creative team?
Working with this cast and creative team has been fantastic. Because the show celebrates (quite literally) ‘Sisters Doing It for Themselves’ we felt it was only right to bring together an all-female production team. We’re incredibly proud of the talented production group we’ve assembled, who have worked together to create such a knock-your-socks-off production. Their creativity and vision has resulted in a really unique take on Sister Act the Musical that will delight even the biggest fans! (But I won’t say too much more on that, as I don’t want to give away the surprises!).
The level of talent on stage is also remarkable. Casting was such a tough process because there were so many strong performers, but we’re overjoyed with the final cast. The show moves at a relentless pace and there’s a huge amount the cast have had to learn, but the they’ve more than risen to the challenge, and they are ready to shine on the Oratory stage.
Q: For someone who’s never seen Sister Act before, what would you say to tempt them into the theatre?
If you’ve never seen Sister Act the Musical, this is the perfect introduction! It’s a joyful, feel-good musical packed with powerful gospel-inspired songs, dazzling choreography and plenty of heartfelt humour. The story follows Deloris Van Cartier, a lounge singer forced into hiding in a convent, where she unexpectedly transforms the choir, and the lives of the nuns around her.
Our production is a full-throttle celebration of community, inclusivity and a little divine disco energy. It’s uplifting, funny and full of soul, guaranteed to send you out of the theatre smiling.
For tickets and listing, please visit here.