Review: Sister Act, UK Tour at the Palace Theatre, Manchester

One big flashy announcement, once upon a time, was a revival of the well-loved musical Sister Act, based on the 1992 film of the same name. Then the pandemic hit and plans of course got put on hold. 2022 is finally Deloris' year, with a UK tour, including an extended stay at London's Eventim Apollo. 

With songs (separate from the film) written by Alan Menken and Glenn Slater, it follows nightclub singer Deloris Van Cartier who is put in witness protection after seeing her boyfriend commit murder; in a convent. Deloris naturally finds it a bit of a shock, but soon ends up taking the choir under her wing. And their voices to new heights. 

Now, I must admit, I was unprepared how good of a time I was going have when I sat down... 
Short version, I cried. Laughing that is. 

Part of this, let us be honest, a lot of this comes from this cast, which is literally like a dream cast come to life. 

Leading, we have Sandra Marvin (The Band Plays On) as Deloris, and the one and only Jennifer Saunders (Blithe Spirit) as the Mother Superior. You really did see these were opposites of each other, with Saunders tearing her hair out exasperatedly at Deloris' actions. 

Saunders naturally is hilarious, and though she wasn't the strongest singer, let's be honest she didn't need to be. It was mainly thanks to her that I was creased laughing in my seat. In all the American accents, she was the classic British sarcasm found within Cheri & Bill Steinkeller's already-witty book. 

Can I say though that this is only the tip of the iceberg in terms of this cast. 

                                 

Lesley Joseph giving "a funky bass" as Sister Mary Lazarus (in fact she gave almost as many laughs as Saunders did); The Greatest Showman's Keala Settle as the excitable Sister Mary Patrick; Lizzie Bea (Hairspray) as the shy but big-voiced Sister Mary Robert; Jeremy Secombe as the crime-boss boyfriend Curtis, giving us a completely different vocal tone to Les Mis' Javert. 

And finally Clive Rowe (A Christmas Carol) as the cinnamon-roll police officer Eddie, who yes, I still think of as Duke from Tracy Beaker. 

Like I said: a dream-cast come to life! 

You know what I also forgot, that this show is incredibly camp. 

And let me tell you they found lots of moments to turn the camp level through the roof!

Sequined costumes from head to toe, a disco ball and strobe lights appearing almost every 5 minutes, bright colour... it had it all. 

Especially in the ending. 

In fact, I think the conversation between the director Bill Buckhurst, and the crew went a little something like this: 

BB: How camp can we make the ending? 

Rest of the crew: Yes. 

No wonder tickets are selling like no tomorrow. But if you are able to get any, then definitely do. 

This is just the start of Sister Act's journey, ending in Manchester this week before going to its London stint; in which Beverley Knight, fresh off her run in The Drifter's Girl, will take over Deloris for a limited time. 

The off on tour it goes, with Marvin returning to the part, and Joseph taking over from Saunders as the Mother Superior. 

Sister Act is one the the BEST feel-good shows out there. You feel on a high throughout the performance and once you leave the theatre... well, let's face it, you HAVE just been taken to church after all...