Sister Act Reaffirms My Love Of Nuns

Published on 5 June 2009 by Sister Jonathan Dudley

Last night we popped over to the Palladium to see Sister Act, and in the spirit of good fun we did so in full nun attire. Surprisingly we looked rather awesome. Costumes were a bit of a last minute decision but a good one, after all what's not to love about nuns?

Wandering through London in a habit and leopard-print trainers (a slight wardrobe miscalculation there) drew a fair few glances as I'm sure you can imagine but what can I say, here at Show and Stay we're dedicated. So dedicated, in fact, that we decided to balance the review (as Sister Act 2: Back In The Habit is my favourite film of all time) by also sending someone who absolutely HATES musicals. That someone was Sister Jon, Play and Stay guru and hater of jazz hands.

Jon's review can be found just beneath mine in the news section so if anyone thinks I'm getting a bit evangelical about Sister Act just because I love Whoopi Goldberg a little bit too much, feel free to check his out too.

So, time for the feature presentation, the actual review.

The most important thing to say about Sister Act is that the set is superb. It swivels and revolves and transforms. It morphs seamlessly from seedy back alley to convent, from dive bar to the most stunning church, complete with stained glass windows. I'd heard that the set was something special but honestly, I'm now desperate to get behind the scenes and find out how it works.

To really show off a great set you need great lighting which, fortunately, Sister Act most certainly has. Nothing too flashy, nothing over the top, just a well thought-out compliment to a set which should most certainly win prizes. It can't be denied that Sister Act is a good-looking show and the Palladium's grandness only adds to the feeling that you're seeing something really rather special.

Cast-wise, Patina Miller in the lead was superb. West End newcomer she may be but her stage presence and vocal range were incredible. It seemed that the funkier the song the more impressive she became. The reprise of Take Me To Heaven particularly stood out as the kind of show tune that could become a modern classic, easily up there with Wicked's Defying Gravity.

As good as Patina Miller is (and she is very good), the show was well and truly stolen by Julia Sutton playing a hilarious Sister Mary Lazarus. A rapping, boozing and mildly incontinent punchline of a nun, the musical's depiction of Mary Lazurus was dare I say it, better than that in the film. Controversial I know, but it's true.

The male character who really shone was Eddie (played by Ako Mitchell) whose rendition of I Could Be That Guy was both funny and powerful. Clever costume changes and dancing hobos had the audience chuckling along merrily and I even heard a little snort of amusement coming from Sister Jon whose folded arms and contemptuous glare had faded away long ago; pretty much from the moment Patina Miller opened her mouth, in fact.

All in all, Sister Act really was a very enjoyable show. The set will win a few awards I'd wager and the music is catchy enough to shift a fair few cast recordings (which are apparently due out later in the summer). We've definitely not seen the last of Patina Miller, I see her becoming quite a big deal in theatreland, and rightly so. Any woman who can sing, dance and look that good in a habit deserves to be a star.

In conclusion, Sister Act proves that musical nuns are the very best sort of nuns. I've no doubt that this show will go far, win awards and transfer to Broadway within 12 months.