In December 1977 a young woman witnesses her abusive and criminal boyfriend murdering a man in cold blood and, because he threatens to kill her, to stop her from testifying in court about what she has seen, she must be taken into a witness protection scheme for her own safety.
Not necessarily an obvious plot line for a comedy but, when it was released as the film Sister Act in 1992 (yes, 32 years ago!), Joseph Howard’s story quickly became one of the most financially successful movies of its time, grossing $231 million, and it found a place in the list of the 100 funniest movies of all time.
The stage musical opened in America in 2006, in the West End in 2009 and on Broadway in 2011 and now, as part of a massive UK tour under the direction of Bill Buckhurst, the success continues in Eastbourne with Landi Oshinowo taking on the iconic role, made famous by Whoopi Goldberg, and really making it her own.
As we enter the auditorium of The Congress Theatre we are faced with a very vivid gauze which lifts to reveal a stage set of the convent in which the lead character, Deloris Van Cartier, must hide, but the fact that it is flooded with multi-coloured disco lights hints at what is to come!
Landi Oshinowo is very comfortable playing for laughs, with her comic timing, and mannerisms really hitting the spot, but it’s when she opens her mouth to release her amazingly powerful and crystal-clear singing voice that she shines even brighter. It’s a powerhouse performance that takes the enthusiastic audience on a rollercoaster journey all the way to the, amazingly colourful, finale.
Wendi Peters as the Mother Superior, is the perfect sparring partner for Deloris. Her objection to everything that Deloris embodies is palpable and, particularly with her showstopping version of a song that has been added to the UK production from the Broadway version, Haven’t Got a Prayer (where she is in total despair), she relishes the chance to own the stage.
The rest of the nuns, who all sing and act their parts tremendously well, shine throughout the performance but special mention has to go to Julie Stark as the seriously funky Sister Mary Lazarus and to Isabel Canning, who is simply unstoppable as Sister Mary Patrick. Eloise Runnette is also in her element playing the postulate, Sister Mary Robert. Watching her transformation from a shy and retiring girl into a defiant young woman is heart-warming.
As the murderous boyfriend, Curtis Jackson, Ian Gareth-Jones is suitably sinister, and more than a little bit crazed. Watching his defeat at the hands of the combined force of a group of nuns, together with the gun-shy policeman Eddie Souther (played by Alfie Parker), is strangely empowering.
Credit also goes to the set design, sound and lighting teams for all working together so well. This really is a first class, West End quality show and, although not the cheapest ticket around, substantially better value than the London production that is currently on at The Dominion Theatre.
Eastbourne Theatres have really pulled out all the stops to create the right atmosphere to showcase this tremendously uplifting and wonderfully joyous show. As Deloris sings in the title song, and as the supremely talented Landi Oshinowo shows, “no one on this earth can change that fact – I’m part of one terrific Sister Act.”
Five Stars *****