Sister Act at Buxton Opera House Review
DISCLOSURE – TICKETS TO SEE THE SHOW WERE GIFTED TO THE REVIEWER AND GUEST FOR THE PURPOSES OF WRITING THE REVIEW
Reviewed by Fiona Jones
Get ready to raise your voice for the divine musical comedy, Sister Act, showing this week at the beautiful Buxton Opera House!
Many people will be familiar with the story of Sister Act, having watched the 1992 film of the same name starring Whoopi Goldberg and Dame Maggie Smith. But don’t worry if you haven’t seen it before the show makes the story clear and easy to follow, so it can be enjoyed by all. The music from the film is something that has not stayed in this musical adaptation, with music instead coming from the multiple Academy Award winning composer, Alan Menken (famous for his work on many Disney films, including Aladdin and Hercules, and stage productions such as Little Shop of Horrors). The songs in the show are joyous and full of soul; particularly those featuring all of the Sisters; and are performed to perfection by the truly outstanding live orchestra and cast.
The cast all play their characters wonderfully and despite a number of the cast wearing identical costumes for the majority of the show, they are easily identifiable in each role, due to the expressive way that they play their part. Isabel Canning as the infectiously enthusiastic Sister Mary Patrick and Eloise Runnette as the quiet, unassuming Sister Mary Robert are star examples of this. Runnette’s character development through the show was fantastic, giving me goosebumps in the musical number, ‘Raise Your Voice’ as her character starts to gain her confidence. Wendi Peters’ representation of Mother Superior also showed a wonderful evolution through the show, as her adversary eventually became a cherished friend.
Whilst all the cast were spectacular, the stand-out star had to be Landi Oshinowo, who played her character with real heart and warmth, perfectly portraying a character that, despite finding herself in less than ideal circumstances, was able to find her way and ultimately display her good soul. Oshinowo’s vocals were incredible, able to produce big powerhouse notes, but also delicate tones to fit the emotion of the songs.
The staging of the show was simple yet effective, with a dramatic ‘stained glass window’ providing the backdrop for a lot of the scenes, and this was covered with a plainer curtain when the setting changed. The changes between scenes were seamless with cast members swiftly pulling props on and off stage that clearly signalled a change of location to the audience. The lighting used, particularly around the stained glass window, and the use of different costumes, also helped to set the different scenes.
This is a wonderfully fun show, with plenty of humour, but also emotional and poignant moments. I recommend anyone to watch this, whether a film-lover looking for some nostalgia, or someone who just loves a good musical with plenty of glitter and sparkle! The cast and creative team have put on an exceptional show for all to enjoy.
Rating: 4.5/5
Sister Act continues to play at Buxton Opera House until Saturday 1 June.
Tickets cost from £20.
For more information or to book tickets, visit: https://buxtonoperahouse.org.uk/event/sister-act or call the Box Office on 01298 72190.
Buxton Opera House, Water Street, Buxton. SK17 6XN.
Photo credit: Mark Senior