ALEXANDRA BURKE RETURNS TO MK IN THE ALL NEW PRODUCTION
An all new production of the Broadway and West End smash hit musical comedy Sister Act is currently at Milton Keynes Theatre, starring Alexandra Burke who recently wowed local audiences with her performance at the theatre in The Bodyguard.
Based on the film starring Whoopi Goldberg and Maggie Smith, Sister Act tells the hilarious story of Deloris Van Cartier, a disco diva whose life takes a surprising turn when she witnesses a murder. Under protective custody she is hidden in the one place she won’t be found – a convent! Disguised as a nun and under the suspicious watch of Mother Superior, Deloris helps her fellow sisters find their voices as she unexpectedly rediscovers her own.
(Photographs by Tristan Kenton)
Joining the Alexandra Burke as ‘Deloris Van Cartier’ will be Joanna Francis as ‘Michelle’, Jon Robyns as ‘Eddie’, Karen Mann as ‘Mother Superior’ and Rosemary Ashe as ‘Sister Mary Lazarus’. The role of ‘Deloris Van Cartier’ is played by Joanna Francis at the matinee performances
Aaron Lee Lambert plays ‘Curtis’
The company also includes Sarah Goggin, Susannah Van Den Berg, Allison Harding, Ricky Rojas, Samuel Morgan-Grahame, Sandy Grigelis, Nicola Bryan, Jennifer Douglas, Aiesha Pease, Sally Peerless and Justin Wilman.
This all new production of Sister Act is directed and choreographed by Craig Revel Horwood with musical supervision and arrangements by Tony Award-Winner Sarah Travis. Set and costume design is by Matthew Wright, with lighting design by Richard G Jones and sound design by Richard Brooker.
Sister Act features original music by the 8 time Oscar and Tony Award winner Alan Menken.
Sister Act is at MK Theatre from 26th September until 1st October
Box Office: 0844 871 7652 or online: www.atgtickets.com/Miltonkeynes
Photographs by Tristram Kenton
Alexandra Burke sparkled throughout the performance which is exactly what we’ve come to expect from her. Just as well really, because I felt she was having to carry the show rather too much. Having the cast as actor/musicians works for some things but I didn’t think it quite came off for this – e.g. whilst the murdering gang were having a secret meeting, two of the policemen were needed on the set to play backing music! The musical nuns though, now that worked a treat and was very funny.
I’ve seen Aaron Lee Lambert in several things and I’ve always been most impressed, but in my opinion he made Curtis far too nice for the murderer he was. It didn’t help of course when Deloris dreams of being a star, Curtis is one of the dancers. Deloris might well have dreamed that Curtis would be dancing at her feet, but the audience just sat and wondered why the villain was now one of the dancers!
The set was the dowdy, almost penniless church. This had to double as a bar, nightclub, prison and even Eddie’s bedroom, all done quite effectively with lighting changes and minimal props. One more lighting change would have been nice though – to brighten up the church itself when they came into money.
For all my griping, it was an enjoyable night with a fabulous finale that brought the packed house to its feet! I just think that perhaps the ladies in this cast beat the men hands down!
Sister Act is at MK Theatre from 26th September until 1st October
Box Office: 0844 871 7652 or online: www.atgtickets.com/Miltonkeynes
