For a fabulous summer season, Aberystwyth Arts Centre is the place to be! From the creative team that adapted Chicago, Hairspray and Little Shop of Horrors comes a funky and fantastic production of Sister Act. Based on the 1992 comedy film of the same name (starring Whoopi Goldberg), Sister Act originally hit the West End back in 2009, following on with a 2011 Broadway run and subsequent tours. Previous productions have seen Whoopi Goldberg herself take on the role of Mother Superior, however the role was originated by Sheila Hancock. Goldberg also produced the musical along with Stage Entertainment. Other well known cast members included Blue’s Simon Webbe (West End) and Raven-Symone (Broadway). Musically the show differs from the film version, with a lively score created for the stage by the wonderful Alan Menken (Little Shop of Horrors, The Little Mermaid & Aladdin) with lyrics by Glenn Slater.
There’s plenty of glitz and glamour galore on the Theater-Y-Werin stage as an energetic and talented cast of both West End performers and local names (including members from popular choir Sgarmes) bring this vibrant show to life!
Sister Act centres on Deloris Van Cartier, a gifted club singer with bigger dreams of fame and recognition who has the misfortune of witnessing her married boyfriend commit murder. In order to protect her identity she is placed in a convent led by the restrictive Mother Superior. Deloris soon shakes things up as she becomes in charge of the church choir, teaching the nuns a few things about soul and disco much to Mother Superior’s dismay. Along the way Deloris discovers her true potential as she provides inspiration for the nuns and brings a whole new outlook into the church, despite her unconventional ways in the eyes of religion.
Director and Choreographer Anthony Williams’s exceptional production features a string of catchy and upbeat musical numbers. Stand out’s include the infectious ‘Fabulous Baby’, ‘Take me to Heaven’ and ‘Raise Your Voice’ all belted out by the phenomenal Jenny Fitzpatrick in the lead role. Fitzpatrick is sensational to watch, she completely owns the stage playing a feisty and funny Deloris, she brings a sense of compassion to the role creating a strong likeability factor with the audience. Returning to the Aberyswtyth stage is Broadway performer Lori Haley Fox as Mother Superior, Fox memorably starred in Williams’s productions of Hairspray and Chess and is equally as sensational. The antagonistic relationship between diva Deloris and the conservative Nun is played wonderfully, Fox delivers a sense of frustration as her character is continually tested by Deloris’s presence. Jodie Jacobs as Sister Mary Robert also gives a stand out performance, from the shy, reserved nun to a young woman determined to find herself thanks to Deloris’s influence. Aaron Lee Lambert plays cop Eddie Souther (‘Sweaty Eddie’), the under-confident former school-friend who’s harboured a crush on our protagonist for some time, his rendition of ‘I could be that Guy’ is a particular highlight. As for the villain’s, Robert Grose gives a slick performance as the slippery Curtis Jackson, the murderous mob boss hell bent on silencing Deloris, ‘When I Find my Baby’ is a darkly menacing number and a personal favourite from the show. His bumbling lackeys TJ (George Rae), Joey (Andrew Gallo) and Pablo (Richard Castro) provide much comic relief and come into their own with the hilarious number ‘Lady in the Long Black Dress’.
The set design is outstanding, capturing the ambience of the candle-lit church while transitioning into seedier settings of the bars and streets of Philadelphia contrasting both sides of Deloris’s life. The 1970’s aesthetic works well and is a welcome addition to the story, the costumes are stylish, the effects spectacular and the choreography disco-tastic. The cast, crew and live band do a superb job overall.
On the whole the show is incredibly light-hearted and uplifting, it plays to the codes and conventions of the musical and is unapologetic for it, that said it does include some heart-wrenching and enlightening moments such as ‘The Life I’ve Never Led’, ‘Here Within These Walls’ and ‘Sister Act’. However if its a feel-good musical you’re after then look no further, Sister Act is guaranteed to bring joy to everyone who goes to see it. Highly recommended. Especially proud to see a show of such a high standard year after year on my own doorstep.
Hayley Alice Roberts.
Night at the Musicals 
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