***** 5 Stars
“Truly Divine!”
Its breathtaking to think that thirty-three years have passed since 1992’s smash hit musical movie “Sister Act” starring the legendary Whoopi Goldberg was released. Telling the story of a Las Vegas show girl, Deloris Van Cartier, when working a casino in Reno she is witness to a shocking crime. She needs to hide while awaiting to give evidence at the trial and divine intervention steps in as she goes to ground in a catholic convent. Challenged by the mother superior to anything that will make the choir sound better she discovers a new passion for music and is touched by sisterhood making her discover her true place in the world.
Following a sequel movie in 1993, it would be 13 years later in 2006 that the original movie was adapted for the stage in a musical with music by Alan Menken, Lyrics by Glenn Slater and a book by Bill and Cheri Steinkellner. The musical transposes the action to 1978 and the score is a disco infused eruption of joy that puts comedy along with a major dose of pathos at its heart.
The show has enjoyed global success with productions in both the west end and on Broadway. It’s now beloved with local companies and Portobello based Stage Door Entertainment take on the show in their resident venue of the Town Hall and they deliver a production which is Truly Divine!
Directed by Lisa Goldie with musical direction from Tommie Travers and Choreography by Aidan O’Brien the production team have performances at the centre of a show rich in comedy, stunning vocals and heart touch pathos.
Performances across the board are excellent with the simply stunning performance from Tinofara Fombe in the role of “Deloris Van Cartier” which is more remarkable as this performance is her debut in Musical Theatre. She truly captures the essence of Deloris perfectly and has the vocal power to stun those walking by the town hall let alone the audience in the auditorium. Deborah Beveridge channels her best Dame Maggie Smith in the role of “Mother Superior” Beveridge delivers a” Prime of Miss Jean Brodie” take but her comedy timing is peerless and that matches her faultless vocals. Special mention also must go to Orla McDonald Russell in comedic tour de force as Sister Mary Lazarus. While the female roles are the centre of the show, with company fielding a near fifty strong ensemble, there are wonderful performances from the men too. Peter Tomassi gives the right edge of villainy as Curtis and he is supported in wonderful style by Stephen Donaldson, Marc Robertson and Fionn Cameron as Joey, Tj and Pablo respectively. Rounding out a stellar principal cast is Kevin McConnachie as “Eddie” who takes the audience on a journey of self discovery in wonderful style.
Production wise Stage Door have delivered well within the confines of the town hall, Travers, O’Brien and Chris Cowies set design is perfectly judged and Heather McLuskey’s lighting design adds real theatrical magic. At this press performance there was a slight technical delay due to sound issues but Simon Ferguson on sound delivered a faultless show and the audience would never have known the difficulties faced. Lesley O’Brien’s costume design is bang on the money and the cherry on the sister act cake is the stunning 11 strong pit orchestra under the baton of Travers who clearly revel in the show as much as the cast.
Stage Door entertainment have proven there here to stay in the town hall and each production keeps getting better and better. With several more productions planned for the rest of the year the audiences will keep returning. So why not grab a ticket and be blessed with theatrical treat of divine proportions.
Stage Door Entertainment Presents Sister Act the Musical, Portobello Town Hall runs until Saturday 17th May 2025, for Info and tickets go to: https://www.stagedoorentertainment.co.uk/sister-act-tickets
ScotsGay Arts 