Sister Act - UK Tour

[zsazsa]

Has Jennifer’s pitching improved any? She really struggled the night I saw it in Manchester. Although, to be fair, it was the first performance.

[musicbox]

Jul 29, 2022 15:00:17 GMT zsazsa said:

Has Jennifer’s pitching improved any? She really struggled the night I saw it in Manchester. Although, to be fair, it was the first performance.

She still has a few moments where she falls off, but generally I was quite impressed considering that she's not a singer and I doubt is trying to be one at this point.
I think it would've been fascinating to see Whoopi in the lead role alongside Jennifer as they are both not vocalists - I wonder if it would've worked? Beverley makes this production work in my opinion.

[Being Alive]

The creative team are very glad that the Whoopi thing never happened let me tell you 👀

[anthony]

Saw it tonight...

Before I say anything further, I just want to say that I really loved the original production and saw it a couple of times. I genuinely think that it's a great show, with great songs.

However, this production is a masterclass of why not to stunt cast for the sake of it. Saunders was horrific. Genuinely shockingly bad. She made the same "you're pitchy" comment to avoid the big note going into the final song. Clive Rowe also wasn't great and seemed to struggle; both him and Saunders tended to talk large portions of their solos, rather than sing it (which, in Saunders' case was a blessing.)

I am also sick of this trend of changing parts of a show for the sake of it. Slight lyric changes throughout, some songs reworked a fair bit to remove lyrics, a new Mother Superior song (which could have worked, if another actor was playing the role... - I think this might have been taken from the Broadway version, as it replaced 'Here Within These Walls (Reprise)?). "How I Got the Calling" has been removed entirely and replaced with the broadway replacement song, which isn't anywhere near as good and actually damages the story. For example, it removes a lot of the context of Sister Mary Roberts having not been "called". The problem with this is that when she decides she wants to leave with Delores in Act 2, it makes literally no sense (in fact, someone near me shouted "WHAT?" when she said it - it literally came out of no where, with no context or anything. It made no sense in the slightest. She then goes into her solo, which again, without the previous information, seems really odd and jarring.) I also wasn't sure why they added a new nun: Sister Mary Theresa. Which again, adds nothing: it actually took away as it took the entire character of Sister Mary Lazarus? It's a really odd decision. The decision to remove Mother Superior's lines when they find out the Pope is coming also makes her decision to defend Delores seems really odd because there is no build up. I gather most of these changes are from the broadway version?

And yes, as mentioned, the staff there are awful. As you enter, they are literally screaming at people, telling them to go to all doors. We weren't allowed to take a bottle of water in. Sound was also pretty bad in some places. But the audience were awful? People getting up to the toilet throughout, etc. Really treating it like a concert.

Such a shame that the show has ended up in this position.

[d'James]

Jul 29, 2022 23:42:06 GMT anthony said:

Saw it tonight...

Before I say anything further, I just want to say that I really loved the original production and saw it a couple of times. I genuinely think that it's a great show, with great songs.

However, this production is a masterclass of why not to stunt cast for the sake of it. Saunders was horrific. Genuinely shockingly bad. She made the same "you're pitchy" comment to avoid the big note going into the final song. Clive Rowe also wasn't great and seemed to struggle; both him and Saunders tended to talk large portions of their solos, rather than sing it (which, in Saunders' case was a blessing.)

I am also sick of this trend of changing parts of a show for the sake of it. Slight lyric changes throughout, some songs reworked a fair bit to remove lyrics, a new Mother Superior song (which could have worked, if another actor was playing the role... - I think this might have been taken from the Broadway version, as it replaced 'Here Within These Walls (Reprise)?). "How I Got the Calling" has been removed entirely and replaced with the broadway replacement song, which isn't anywhere near as good and actually damages the story. For example, it removes a lot of the context of Sister Mary Roberts having not been "called". The problem with this is that when she decides she wants to leave with Delores in Act 2, it makes literally no sense (in fact, someone near me shouted "WHAT?" when she said it - it literally came out of no where, with no context or anything. It made no sense in the slightest. She then goes into her solo, which again, without the previous information, seems really odd and jarring.) I also wasn't sure why they added a new nun: Sister Mary Theresa. Which again, adds nothing: it actually took away as it took the entire character of Sister Mary Lazarus? It's a really odd decision. The decision to remove Mother Superior's lines when they find out the Pope is coming also makes her decision to defend Delores seems really odd because there is no build up. I gather most of these changes are from the broadway version?

And yes, as mentioned, the staff there are awful. As you enter, they are literally screaming at people, telling them to go to all doors. We weren't allowed to take a bottle of water in. Sound was also pretty bad in some places. But the audience were awful? People getting up to the toilet throughout, etc. Really treating it like a concert.

Such a shame that the show has ended up in this position.

Yes, ‘It’s Good To Be A Nun’ doesn’t tell Mary Robert’s story well at all.

‘Haven’t Got A Prayer’ is OK. I don’t mind either. Depends who’s singing them I guess. I’ve seen Sheila Hancock, Verity Quade, Whoopi Goldberg, Sally Dexter, Victoria Clark and Denise Black as Mother Superior in English-language productions; some have the singing nailed, with less stage presence, some forget lyrics out of tune but have the audience in the palms of their hands. I guess it’s all subjective.

I actually didn’t like the majority of the changes for Broadway. I would love for them to give someone (me) a chance to meld the two together with a few other changes.

I love the music so much.

I’m tempted to go more than my one ticket bought so far.

[shady23]

We weren't allowed to take a bottle of water in

I was also there last night and we were so it is pot luck.

Not a fan of the venue. A huge venue so I was expecting a huge row of toilets. Nope... hardly any. Really ridiculous.

As for the show. I adored it. Took me back to those days at the Palladium. The versions since have been nowhere near as good but this was back up there.

Beverley absolutely flawless.

Easy five stars from me.

[Ade]

Saw this this evening. Have to say that what I think this production does is highlight just how average the musical itself is. It felt like everything was boiled down to naff humour. The cast all do a good job but so much of it just feels like filler.

Visually it’s all a bit rough and ready. The set is fine enough but there’s nothing in there beyond a cheap and dirty tour. I genuinely feared for Beverley on that disco ball…

The worst part of the whole evening was the audience. Arguably one of the worst audiences I’ve ever been part of for theatre. I’ve definitely not seen so many people go to the toilet during a performance before and there was lots of talking and laughing around me that wasn’t in response to the production itself.

[HereForTheatre]

Does Beverly do all performances?

[WireHangers]

Aug 1, 2022 11:07:32 GMT HereForTheatre said:

Does Beverly do all performances?

No, Sandra is the Alternate.

[Being Alive]

Bev is doing all performances apart from the two dates she's missed that were pre-advertised.

Sandra is standing by, not alternate

[anthony]

Aug 1, 2022 12:59:17 GMT Being Alive said:

Bev is doing all performances apart from the two dates she's missed that were pre-advertised.

Sandra is standing by, not alternate

Gotta say, she's advertised as the alternate in the brochure and the signage at the theatre.

[Being Alive]

Huh! That's absolutely not what I'd been lead to believe - I guess they classed her as alternate because of those two dates she did officially for Bev? What an odd thing.

[LaLuPone]

Aug 1, 2022 14:32:15 GMT Being Alive said:

Huh! That's absolutely not what I'd been lead to believe - I guess they classed her as alternate because of those two dates she did officially for Bev? What an odd thing.

All it says in the programme is Deloris “at certain perfomances”, not that’s she’s actually the alternate, so I think you’re right it’s just referring to the dates she did last week.

[vickyg]

A very sad interview with Keala Settle in today’s Guardian (available online) in which she says Sister Act will be her last musical. I wondered why she wasn’t going for/getting huge leading roles over here and turns out she really doesn’t want them.

[Phantom of London]

When this show was first announced 13 years ago for the London Palladium, I must admit it filled me with dread and I said as much on social media, I thought it would be a 1 star mess, but then I saw it and I certainly ‘got the call’ where it approximately blew me away and that 5 star show left me a speechless wreck and this seems to have similarly affected other people, that is why it has been revived after numerous UK tours, the public no a great show.

So tonight was a great prompt why I so love this show, the story is soppy, innocent and fabulous baby which all leads up to the titular song ‘Sister Act’ watching Beverley Knight sing that is worth the admission alone as is watching Keala Settle sing the ‘life I have never had’ which was another great stand out. The show did have floors as pointed out by fellow posters, but this didn’t stop my foot from tapping and going out with a smile.

One lesson I learned all those years ago was never to pre-judge a show.

[LaLuPone]

Aug 5, 2022 21:49:53 GMT Phantom of London said:

When this show was first announced 13 years ago for the London Palladium, I must admit it filled me with dread and I said as much on social media, I thought it would be a 1 star mess, but then I saw it and I certainly ‘got the call’ where it approximately blew me away and that 5 star show left me a speechless wreck and this seems to have similarly affected other people, that is why it has been revived after numerous UK tours, the public no a great show.

So tonight was a great prompt why I so love this show, the story is soppy, innocent and fabulous baby which all leads up to the titular song ‘Sister Act’ watching Beverley Knight sing that is worth the admission alone as is watching Keala Settle sing the ‘life I have never had’ which was another great stand out. The show did have floors as pointed out by fellow posters, but this didn’t stop my foot from tapping and going out with a smile.

One lesson I learned all those years ago was never to pre-judge a show.

It’s Lizzie Bea who sings The Life I Never Lead! Keala plays Sister Mary Patrick.

[ilovewemusicals]

Sister Act is the classic story of a wannabe Donna Summer, named Deloris van Cartier, who hides from her gangster boyfriend in a convent after witnessing a murder and teaches the nuns how to sing. Who better to play Deloris than Britain’s greatest singer Beverley Knight. Bev knows her voice inside and out and how to use it to make songs reach another level. Acting wise, she’s funny, she gets emotional, she makes it her own.

Jennifer Saunders, as Mother Superior, maximises the comedy out of every moment. However, she doesn’t know how to use her voice and bizarrely tries to sing everything in a soprano way. At times she manages to hit angelic notes but she does try to reach the rafters a bit too much. During her solo, Here Within These Walls, she’s given nothing to do and thus resorts to waving her arms around randomly.

Lesley Joseph gets the laughs as Mary Lazarus and it’s a joy to see her rapping. Lizzie Bea and Keala Settle are a great double act and the way they move comedically during the group songs has to be seen to be believed.

When I heard Clive Rowe was playing Eddie Souther back in 2020, I knew the audience would be in for a treat if he sang the great song I Could Be That Guy. And he sang it and it was completely worth the wait. He’s such a great singer and actor.

This is a fun-filled trip to the theatre that leaves you with a spring in your step. Beverley Knight is worth making a special trip to London for.

[Being Alive]

Super conflicted over how I feel about this show.

Sister Act is an old favourite of mine - great memories of the Palladium production and the first UK tour with Cynthia Erivo.
The score is a certified bop - Raise Your Voice one of the best ensemble musical theatre numbers of the last 30 years and you can fight me on that - and it's hysterically funny.

Now, this production is cheap as hell. They somehow do manage to make the stage look pretty full, but i did get frustrated at the lack of automation. Pews could come on by themselves, same with Eddie Souther's office. Little bits like that would make it look not quite so bad. The costume designs are ok, but it's nothing like what we were originally treated to (and I will never understand the logic of having Saunders in trainers for the finale!)

Which brings us on to Saunders...
As others have said, she is pretty terrible. For me, the biggest problem being she just wasn't funny enough. She's gurning her way through the show, when the laughs are built into the script - say it properly and you'll get the laugh! Sheila Hancock did! They should have cut 'Havent Got A Prayer' because she just...can't sing - and I can't imagine Lesley Joseph being much better on tour tbh.

That said, it does otherwise sound insane. When Keala Settle is your third best singer on the stage you know you're on to a winner.
Lizzie Bea is stellar, with a stunning rendition of The Life I Never Led (which does make less sense with this version of the script - It's Good to Be A Nun doesn't explain her story in the way How I Got The Calling did...)

And then we have Beverley Knight.
Look, she's not a comedian, and loses virtually every laugh that Patina Miller and Cynthia Erivo got out of the script.
But then she opens her mouth and she sings them both off the face of the earth.
Genuinely couldn't tell you the last time I heard someone sing like that - I probably never have - and she riffs for her life, putting 150% into every number (her rendition of Sister Act reprise is probably worth whatever you paid for your ticket).
Mind-blowing - there's no one else like her.

It's got a lot going for it, but it also has a lot going against it. The venue is horrid, the staff are some of the rudest I've ever encountered, and it's just a barn. Someone described it as event theatre, without the event, and that makes sense to me. It's built for a megastar to reprise her film role, and instead we got a spectacular singer giving it her all.

3 stars - worth checking out for the voices, but not a multiple repeat visit show like previous productions have been.

[Dr Tom]

I enjoyed this much more than I expected last week (the only other time I've seen Sister Act was with a rather lacklustre tour).

Thanks to the poster who gave the tip to enter the theatre through the queue at the far end. No invasive search and I was in my seat very easily.

I was at the extreme end of row E (the front row of the side block) which was an excellent view (including into the wings) and lots of leg room. I wouldn't want to sit much further back.

The sound quality was much better than expected too.

Don't think I would rush back to Hammersmith for this, but would happily catch this production on tour in a smaller and friendlier venue.

[TallPaul]

Aug 9, 2022 9:05:46 GMT Dr Tom said:

No invasive search

You must have been very disappointed! 😉

[Dr Tom]

Aug 9, 2022 9:21:10 GMT TallPaul said:

You must have been very disappointed! 😉

I didn't spot any good looking security staff to make it worth my while breaking the rules!

[AddisonMizner]

I absolutely adored the original London production of SISTER ACT. I only went to it because SPRING AWAKENING closed early and I needed something else to see in its place. I went in with no expectations and was absolutely blown away.

I then went to see the Craig Revel-Horwood version at Curve and absolutely hated it! (I think I documented it in quite a lot of detail either on here or the previous board). The changes they made for Broadway were unnecessary, the leads were not strong enough (with lowered keys I think), and the production was just lame.

I know that it is a different production, but I have to say that this has put me off going to see this, as I don't want to have the same reaction again. I love the piece too much.

[musicbox]

Aug 9, 2022 9:05:46 GMT Dr Tom said:

I enjoyed this much more than I expected last week (the only other time I've seen Sister Act was with a rather lacklustre tour).

Thanks to the poster who gave the tip to enter the theatre through the queue at the far end. No invasive search and I was in my seat very easily.

I was at the extreme end of row E (the front row of the side block) which was an excellent view (including into the wings) and lots of leg room. I wouldn't want to sit much further back.

The sound quality was much better than expected too.

Don't think I would rush back to Hammersmith for this, but would happily catch this production on tour in a smaller and friendlier venue.

Glad I helped you out! I crazy that simply using that door with no search made my second visit so enjoyable compared to the first.

It sounds petty, but the way that FOH treat you can really set the tone for the entire night when seeing a show.

On a side note I went to a show at the Fringe in Edinburgh today (I'm performing but had a day off) and the FOH in the venue was speaking to us all like children as we walked in to our general admission seats - "Remember NO gaps people", "If I see gaps there will be trouble", "If you walk in and sit down without leaving a gap then the show will start" etc - It's literally so unnecessary!

[galinda]

Jul 29, 2022 23:42:06 GMT anthony said:

And yes, as mentioned, the staff there are awful. As you enter, they are literally screaming at people, telling them to go to all doors. We weren't allowed to take a bottle of water in. Sound was also pretty bad in some places. But the audience were awful? People getting up to the toilet throughout, etc. Really treating it like a concert.

Such a shame that the show has ended up in this position.

What justification do they have for taking water off people? Especially in this weather! I carry water with me everywhere so always annoys me when places don’t let you take it in. Anyone know if they’d take it off you if you have it in one of those expensive keep cool type bottles or would they just make you tip the water out?

[inthenose]

Aug 10, 2022 12:34:31 GMT galinda said:

Jul 29, 2022 23:42:06 GMT anthony said:

And yes, as mentioned, the staff there are awful. As you enter, they are literally screaming at people, telling them to go to all doors. We weren't allowed to take a bottle of water in. Sound was also pretty bad in some places. But the audience were awful? People getting up to the toilet throughout, etc. Really treating it like a concert.

Such a shame that the show has ended up in this position.

What justification do they have for taking water off people? Especially in this weather! I carry water with me everywhere so always annoys me when places don’t let you take it in. Anyone know if they’d take it off you if you have it in one of those expensive keep cool type bottles or would they just make you tip the water out?

The only justification is a blanket “no liquids” policy, which is flimsy and unethical at best. It’s about two things; 1. Stopping people bringing in alcohol (neat vodka in a water bottle - it happens a LOT) and 2. Rinsing every penny out of people buying water at £2.50 a bottle.

On the plus side, most theatre bars (but not all) nowadays have a large water dispenser on their bar and plastic cups where you can go and help yourself.

Which reminds me of something for the “bad behaviour” thread really, but I’ll drop it here. I got shouted out by a drunk woman for “skipping the queue” when I went to get a glass of the free water at a show. The queue was for people buying drinks and this was self-service…