Irving was at the Theatre Royal from 31 October to 4 November 2017 with a holy roller of a show!
Based on the 1992 hit film comedy, Sister Act is all about learning how to Raise Your Voice! Disco diva Deloris Van Cartier is forced into police protection after witnessing a murder. And the best place to hide? A convent. Filled with toe-tapping tunes like Take Me to Heaven and Fabulous Baby! the packed audiences sure got their groove on!
Sister Act is written by Bill and Cherie Steinkellner, with lyrics by Chris Slater and a score by award-winning composer Alan Menken.
An amateur production by arrangement with Music Theatre International Europe.
Visit the gallery to see the cast in costume and on stage in the show. With grateful thanks to photographer Andy Abbott.
And we had some great reviews. Here are some excerpts from the Bury Free Press:
Whoopi Goldberg, step aside. There’s a new Deloris Van Cartier on the block with as much sass and comedic timing as her predecessor, and her name is Anna Damigella. Sister Act sees the transformation of wannabe nightclub singer Deloris into Sister Mary Clarence, after being offered shelter from her murderous ex Curtis at the Queen of Angels convent.
A stellar performance by Damigella underpins this excellent production, with strong support from Marnie Randall as Mother Superior, Ben Young as Curtis, Ben Child as ‘Sweaty’ Eddie and, above all, the sisters. Not one nun’s performance was restricted by the ‘long black dress’, with some remarkable facial expressions, novel ‘armography’ and fantastic characterisation across the board.
Jordan Cooper particularly impressed as Sister Mary Robert … alongside enthusiastic fellow nun Sister Mary (there are a lot of Marys) Patrick, in a perfectly-pitched performance by Jenny Acheson.
Add in tight direction from Tess Smith, clever choreography by Glen Conner, an impressive band led by Nicola Brazier, outstanding vocals throughout, stylish sets and costumes and a truly heart-warming tale, this production was a treat from start to finish. As my neighbour said at the end: “You know it’s brilliant when it’s made you cry.” I admit to shedding a tear, too.
And from TheatreWorld Internet Magazine:
What a very entertaining and jolly number this proved to be. The Irving Stage Company provided an excellent production of Sister Act. It had plenty of pace and the enthusiasm of the cast and band was clear to see. As a result there was never a dull moment and somehow the violent nature of the story took second place.
There are plenty of musical numbers which even if you do not know them (well I didn’t) but your feet and toes will still be tapping. The choreography was most imaginative and the set bold and generally effective. This is a case of Nuns as you have never seen them before, but hey ho how refreshing to see such humour.
The casting of the three main characters was spot on. Anna Damigella was a most impressive Deloris and her role and stature grew as the play progressed. Ben Young was very strong in his portrayal of the gangster Curtis and as with Anna both gave passionate performances and superb singing. Ben Child hit the spot in his role as Eddie the somewhat introverted Police Officer.
I very much like the take that Marnie Randall had as the Mother Superior and she was perfect in this role. At times it must have been difficult to keep a straight face with all the shenanigans going on in her less than holy convent since the arrival of Deloris. The ten piece band provided a bold accompaniment to the eighteen songs that the company performed. This lively production of Sister Act proved to be a very entertaining evening.
