This isn’t a sponsored post.
BrumHour was invited to see Sister Act by Birmingham Hippodrome.
This week on Brum Radio’s Interval Theatre, Clive Rowe spoke about his role in Sister Act touring the UK.
By Dave Massey twitter.com/BrumHour
Review: Sister Act at Birmingham Hippodrome
⭐⭐⭐⭐Joyful, Joyful Slapstick Fun!
Directed by Bill Buckhurst, Music by Alan Menken and lyrics by Glenn Slater, book by Bill and Cheri Steinkellner
Philadelphia 1977/78: A nightclub singer going by Deloris Van Cartier (Sandra Marvin) finds herself witnessing her married gangster boyfriend Curtis Jackson (Jeremy Secomb) shooting one of his team. Eddie (Clive Rowe), a police officer, and Deloris’ former high school friend, put Deloris into hiding.. at a convent.
Although reluctant to accept Deloris at first Mother Superior (Lesley Joseph) extends a welcome to Deloris and puts her to singing in the convent choir without realising the impact Deloris will have on the rest of the nuns.
This is a hugely warm and fun musical comedy with plenty of daft jokes and slapstick moments. The story really is about sisterhood at its heart and acceptance of other people. Though its late 70s setting makes this feel a little progressive for the time it is set in.
The story is a much more ensemble tale than the film, and allows key moments for the main characters. while the action plays out differently to the film itself, gone are the slot machines and Las Vegas style glitz and other elements are here to replace those. The only key moment I found missing was when Deloris starts to work with the local community.
The songs from the film are gone but are replaced with storytelling songs more in keeping with the characters. Lesley Joseph is obviously a total scene stealer and the audience applauded her arrival, but huge amounts of talent here meant that the main cast all get a shining moment.
Joyful slapstick fun, Sister Act is at Birmingham Hippodrome until Saturday 15th October 2022. Book tickets here: birminghamhippodrome.com/calendar/sister-act.
