Sister Act At Bradford Alhambra Theatre Review
DISCLOSURE – TICKETS TO SEE THE SHOW WERE GIFTED TO THE REVIEWER AND GUEST FOR THE PURPOSES OF WRITING THE REVIEW
Reviewed by Helen Noble
The habit comes to the Alhambra Theatre with its brand-new production of the Broadway and UK smash hit musical Sister Act.
The film Sister Act came out in 1992, ultimately starring the well know Whoopi Goldberg, but if you never saw the film don’t worry, this production is portrayed in such a fantastic way that your soon transfixed on the storyline.
The cast is as follows: Landi Oshinowo as Deloris Van Cartier, Lesley Joseph well known for playing Dorian Green in Birds of a feather stars as Mother Superior, Alfie Parker as Eddie Souther, Lizzie Bea as Sister Mary Robert, Ian Gareth-Jones as Curtis Jackson, Isabel Canning as Sister Mary Patrick, Jackie Pulford as Sister Mary Lazarus, Phillip Arran as Monsignor O’Hara, Wendy-Lee Purdy as Sister Mary Theresa, Lori Haley Fox as Sister Mary Martin of Tours, Damian Buhagiar as Pablo, Callum Martin as Joey, Bradley Judge as TJ, Amber Kennedy as Tina, Esme Laudat as Michelle, Castell Parker as Clemont and finally hidden within the orchestra The Pope.
The stage is minimally set but very effective and swiftly changed scenery transitions throughout, from the disco dance stage, to convent, to police station. The lighting is cleverly used to enhance the overall atmosphere, and as always, the live orchestra is on top form.
All the actor’s performing are outstanding, Lesley Joseph is fabulous as mother superior with her tongue in cheek witty comments, along with the absolutely comical individual personalities of the nuns which will sure have you belly laughing from start to finish. Although you may need to put your fingers in your ears when they first start singing!
One person that really shone and will really give you the goosebumps with her phenomenal vocals to ‘Life I never led’ is Lizzie Bea as Sister Mary Robert.
The show is full of energy, laughter, wit, humour and is extremely uplifting, a most enjoyable night to which I would highly recommend a must see.
The Alhambra is a traditional theatre, the main theatre building is modern with bright lights which not only look fabulous but makes the building easy to find.
On the ground floor there is a ticket kiosk and a kiosk for purchasing soft drinks and sweets. On the first floor there is an impressive bar/café area, also a merchandise kiosk. The staff were welcoming and helpful although someone was giving the wrong directions to the seating numbers causing a bit of a disturbance in the stalls before the show started.
The venue has disabled parking onsite to the left of the building, there are groundwork’s going on in the car park area at the moment, so you have to use the no entry exit to enter and park up, there were stewards around to direct you.
There are plenty of carparks within a couple of minutes walking distance from the venue, Sharpe Street car park is just up the hill from the Alhambra, if using any of the NCP car parks if you inform the ticket office on arrival, they give you an additional parking ticket to enable a discount on your parking fee. Please be aware at present there is substantial amount of roadworks in Bradford city centre so I would advise allowing extra travelling time to get to the performance.
Rating: 5/5
Tickets cost from £13.00 – £43.00 (booking fees may apply).
Sister Act at the Alhambra Theatre in Bradford from 20th – 25th November 2023, for more information or to book tickets visit www.bradford-theatres.co.uk or call the box office on 01274 432000.
Alhambra Theatre, Morley Street, Bradford, BD7 1AJ | 01274 432000
https://www.bradford-theatres.co.uk/whats-on/sister-act
The Alhambra Theatre ‘Sister Act’
20th – 25th November 2023
Running Time: 2 hrs 20 mins