Sister Act: The Musical
Belfast Operatic Company
Grand Opera House, Belfast
14th-18th April 2015
The award-winning Belfast Operatic Company brings you the feel-amazing musical comedy, Sister Act. Based on the smash-hit movie of the same name, this fabulous, family-friendly show is packed with songs inspired by Motown, funk, soul and disco. When disco diva Deloris Van Cartier witnesses a murder, she is placed in protective custody in the one place the cops are sure she won’t be found – a convent! Under the suspicious watch of Mother Superior, Deloris helps her fellow sisters find their voices as she unexpectedly rediscovers her own. In doing so, the choir is transformed into the most glorious musical act in town.
The isles of The Grand Opera House are full of the heavenly soul as Sister Act: The Musical dances across the stage. Based on the hugely successful film, Sister Act: The Musical takes the core elements of the movie and transposes it against the nightclubs, bars and churches in Philadelphia.
The cast, all amateurs, bring to life the musical numbers from the hit Broadway show. Jean Michelo plays the part of Deloris Van Cartier, the wannabe singer hiding from her gangster and murderous boyfriend. Jean’s personality certainly shines through and it becomes infectious on the audience. However, the best vocal performances of the musical go to Laura Kerr as Mother Superior and Nuala Mannion as Sister Mary Robert: both of whom performed brilliantly, singing like angels.
The set décor was simplistic in parts, and truly inspirational in others. One particular set dressing was the church in mid-restoration; this highly detailed set piece was breath-taking and special applause should be given to those who created it.
Sadly though, the performance was marred by the thumping of the stage hands who were clearly “Not Invisible”, moving the different props and sets into place, which seemed to be every few minutes; at times the banging of set dressings on stage was laughable, and not in a good way! Perhaps this will be remedied in future performances.
A fun adaptation of a much loved film and, whilst the songs may not be on the tip of your tongue, the sentiment most certainly is in the performers’ hearts.
3 out of 5 Nerds
Irwin Fletcher
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