'Sister Act' at The London Palladium

Last evening I was treated to a performance of 'Sister Act' at The Palladium. I've been meaning to see it for ages but not got round to it until last night. You know the story - no, I won't believe you if you say you've not seen the film - and the stage show is close enough to the film that you'll know what's happening but I didn't find that a problem at all. If anything, I kept wondering how they'd do the next scene...

They generally did the next scene with a massive set change, with different sets appearing and disappearing seemingly with every blink - this is a show that needs a *big* stage, with gothic columns appearing from above the stage, disco scenes twisting round on a turntable, a giant madonna figure popping up amidst massive stained glass windows - the producers certainly didn't stint on scenery. And the costumes got ever more elaborate as the show progresses until the nuns end up dancing round in silver and gold lame habits. Yes, it's all in there somewhere, although I didn't notice a kitchen sink.

And it was great fun! The sets, the costumes, the singing and dancing - all were excellent. It's an entertainment, a piece of fun escapism, and its foolish to expect it to be anything but that. What it does, it does very well and I thoroughly enjoyed it. And so did everyone else judging from the applause and standing ovation.

The stars are Patina Miller as Deloris the disco singer hiding away in the convent, with Sheila Hancock as Mother Superior and Ian Lavender as the local priest (who's cassocks became ever more sparkly). Chris Jarman as Shank, the baddie, was superbad and got booed when it came to bows at the end, which he seemed to love, Julia Sutton was excellent as the feisty old nun with a nice line in rapping, and Katie Rowley Jones was good as the young nun who doesn't know whether she wants to stay or go. I thought they were all great fun, and the baddie's cronies had a nice Moments and Whatnauts moment with their seduction song ripping off 'Girls' to good effect.

The message is: don't mess with nuns!

There was a goodly array of merchandise to choose from but I restricted myself to a programme and the cast recording (even Sheila Hancock sounds good).

It's not high art but it's great fun. Last night the audience seemed to be made up of overseas school groups on a trip to London and older women on coach trips to the theatre - the place was full. If you want a fun night out, lots of big songs and lots of dancing, some comic moments and some sentimentality, then go and see it!