Well let’s face facts…Sister Act The Musical is closing in early 2011 to make way for The Wizard Of Oz starring Danielle Hope from Over The Rainbow.  I booked tickets for May 29th because I heard it was Cast Change and that Sheila ‘I’m a legend’ Hancock was leaving.  Having enjoyed Wicked London Cast Change so much I specifically wanted to see the energy of another one!  As it turns out, Sheila extended her run due to her popularity on Over The Rainbow however it was still a minor cast change as some of the nuns and men were leaving.

I have heard only great things about Sister Act The Musical and so, if I’m honest, my standards were high.  However, I was so, so disappointed when the show started and the theatre was only half full, with the Second Tier Balcony (where we were sitting, can’t remember its official name) only a third full.  My standards suddenly dropped….if people aren’t coming to see the show, it can’t be very good.

How wrong I was!!

The show was absolutely fantastic!! The set was unbelievable – yes, literally – I could not believe what was happening before my eyes! The costumes are brill, the songs are catchy and diverse in style.  There is tonnes of comedy, a bit of flirting, lots of laughs and loads of fun!  Patina was FAB in the role and Sheila, with her talk-singing, really captured a different Madame Superior to Dame Maggie Smith.  This leads me nicely onto my next point…

Like anything that is adapted, if you arrive expecting it to be identical to its predecessor you will be disappointed.  Like with any musical/show/film/book/production, I treated it as completely separate and I LOVED it.  It is almost a completely different piece of art, only the bare bones of the story remain.  The production is much more raunchy than the film and no songs were carried forward from the film so no renditions of My Guy/My God.  But, rest assured, the production is 100% worth seeing.

I think, perhaps, that is why it has not done as well as expected…people are expecting to see the multi award winning film on stage.  Personally, I would much rather see an altered performance with surprises and adjustments to keep the show fresh for audiences who will have, inevitably, seen the film.

Do go and support this show, let me know what you think and make sure you book before it’s too late!

MHx