Sister Act at Hammersmith Apollo

Who says life in a nunnery has to be boring? At the convent of the Little Sisters of Our Mother of Perpetual Faith, the arrival of Deloris Van Cartier (Beverley Knight) revolutionises the nuns’ quiet and tranquil life and determines a notable improvement in the choir. The singer is hiding at the cloister, having witnessed a murder committed by her gangster boyfriend, Curtis Jackson (Jeremy Secomb). Hers is not a smooth introduction to the diametrically opposite lifestyle of the pious ladies, but Deloris, aka Sister Mary Clarence, will find more than friends inside the nunnery walls.

Delayed for over two years by the pandemic, Sister Act finally lands at the Hammersmith Apollo for just six weeks, before embarking on a tour to take happy vibes around the country. A joyful production, the return of the musical to London stars an energetic cast and a catchy score. Let’s start with the latter: aficionados of the film may be a little disappointed by the omission of I Will Follow Him, making space for a fresh list, but the new material is melodic and spirited, a well-balanced mix of choral and solo numbers. Yes, Sister Mary is the protagonist, but the production also gives voice to many of the other characters too. Among them, chief police officer Clive Rowe truly shines, with a surprising transformation in I Could Be That Guy; the criminal gang elicits waves of laughter with When I Find My Baby and Lady in the Long Black Dress, while Sunday Morning Fever is a varied and feel-good display. The pep and earth-shaking vocal talent of Beverley Knight win theatregoers’ hearts over and over again, particularly with Fabulous, Baby! and Sister Act.

Having to quickly transform from the church nave to bars and a police station, the stage set maintains pretty simple backdrops and designs (often flooded by reflections from disco balls) – but the driving forces are the actors and the choreography, so that no space feels empty or unused. Funky props over black monotone dresses also add to the effect: a pair of sunglasses, now a pair of full-length boots, now a glittery microphone. Every cast member excels at infusing the whole show with fun and vitality. Cracking jokes along the way amid their shimmering devotion, the nuns turn the comedy into exciting entertainment. Special mention must be made of the stern and hilariously acerbic personality of Jennifer Saunders as Mother Superior.

Blessed be the musical and all its holy performances. Amen.

Cristiana Ferrauti
Photo: Manuel Harlan

Sister Act is at Hammersmith Apollo from 19^th July until 28^th August 2022. For further information or to book visit the theatre’s website here.