Taking on a new and fabulous cast, Sister Act The Musical returns to the Birmingham Hippodrome (running until Saturday 18th May) and absolutely smashes expectations. Sister Act is the high-energy, feel-good show, leaving powerful reverberations of excitement and joy across the entire audience.

Sister Act is the five-time Tony-nominated musical loosely based on the 1992 movie starring Whoopi Goldberg and Maggie Smith. It tells the story of disco star in the making Deloris Van Cartier (Landi Oshinowo) whose life and career are thrown into chaos when she witnesses a murder. To protect her identity, Deloris is moved to protective custody in a convent just in time to help her new sisters find their voices. The show is a dazzling and exhilarating experience as well as a tribute to music, sisterhood, and love.

The show is a dazzling and exhilarating experience as well as a tribute to music, sisterhood, and love

Although based on the film, this stage production is a stand-alone experience, with stellar production, music, and direction committed to creating an immersive and compelling story. Prior to curtains up, disco balls dotted across the ceiling create a fine ambiance of a late 70s club, with a well-selected playlist of disco hits to serenade the audience. It can be difficult for a production to grip you before the show even starts, and yet Sister Act does exactly that.

As Deloris Van Carter, Oshinowo is phenomenal casting: her fun, commanding energy on stage brings the show together. Her characterisation is perfect, with a flawless mix of musical passion and rebellion; the convent and the subtle underlines of religious modesty are highlighted by Oshinowo’s delivery and body language. Moreover, this provides a solid foundation for character development across the show, with Eddy’s (Alfie Parker) particularly being well drawn-out by the developing complexity between him and Deloris.

As Deloris Van Carter, Oshinowo is phenomenal casting: her fun, commanding energy on stage brings the show together

The brilliant use of costume design and choreography consolidates this show in the high-ranks of stage productions. The best part of the performance comes during Eddy’s solo, ‘I Could Be That Guy,’ where he rips off his police uniform in an unexpected reveal. It’s high camp, and the entire audience live for it. Despite the stage being crowded at times, the musical numbers are well coordinated and directed, producing a consistently beautiful spectacle of glitter and glam.

The finale is a multi-colour spectacle of flamboyance

The secret success to the story-telling and immersion in Sister Act comes from lighting designer Tim Mitchell. The light-commanded stain-glass arch over the stage is well utilised during musical numbers, scenes of intense character development, and location changes, guiding the audience’s attention smoothly throughout the performance. The emotional peak of Sister Mary Robert (Eloise Runnette) during the number ‘The Life I Never Led’ presents Runnette’s vocals being woven together by the wonderfully-constructed lights growing and dancing around her. As the set is very minimalist, the lighting works overtime to tie the story together in a way which produces a nuanced performance. Ending the show, the entire cast and crew are committed to giving a send-off to remember: the finale is a multi-colour spectacle of flamboyance.

Sister Act is the perfect show for anybody searching for a hilarious evening of disco, glam, and good energy. With talent seeping from every corner of the stage, from the performers to the orchestra, production team, and beyond, it’s a show for everyone.

Rating: 5/5 

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