LISTINGS THEATRE

W2L review: Back in the habit

Hoping to emulate the massive success of Mamma Mia!, Dirty Dancing and Hairspray, Sister Act is the latest movie sing-a-long to hit the West End. Adapted from the smash-hit comedy, the stage production of Sister Act premiered at the London Palladium to rapturous applause and glowing reviews.

And with original screen lead, Whoopi Goldberg, safely at the reins as producer and treasured Brit actress Sheila Hancock starring, the buzz surrounding the show looks set to continue for some time.

When disco diva Deloris Van Cartier
witnesses a Mafi a murder, she’s put in
protective custody in the one place cops
are sure she won’t be found — a convent. Disguised as a nun, she fi nds herself
at odds with the uptight Mother Superior (Hancock) and using her vocal talents, breathes new life into the nuns’ choir. But soon the Mafi a bosses are giving chase.

The musical isn’t a carbon copy of the fi lm, however, with Deloris transformed into a talented singer and the Motown soundtrack replaced by a score from Oscar-winning Alan Menken. A guaranteed hit. www.sisteractthemusical.com

THE BARBICAN

Silk Street, EC2Y 8DS.
Barbican

T: 020 7638 8891. www.barbican.org.uk Lots of short runs of plays from visiting theatre and dance troupes worldwide. Check website for details of visiting companies.

BILLY ELLIOT – THE MUSICAL

Victoria Palace, Victoria Street, SW1E 5EA.
/ Victoria

T: 0870 895 5577.
www.billyelliotthemusical.com
Hit version of the fi lm with talented northern lad Billy in a charming tale of opting for ballet over boxing with spectacular results.

BLOOD BROTHERS

Phoenix Theatre, Charing Cross Road, WC2H 0JP.

Tottenham Court Road

T: 0874 060 6629.
www.theambassadors.com/phoenix
Willy Russell’s hit musical features twin boys separated at birth and later reunited, but their love for one woman may well tear them apart.

CALENDAR GIRLS

Noel Coward Theatre, St Martin’s Lane, WC2N 4AU.

Leicester Square

T: 0870 060 6644.
www.seecalendargirls.com
The story of a how a group of friends brought the Women’s Institute fi rmly into the modern eye and sparked a global phenomenon with that calendar. An all-star cast includes Lynda Bellingham, Patricia Hodge, Sian Phillips and Gaynor Faye.

CAROUSEL

Savoy Theatre, Savoy Court, WC2R OET. / Embankment/Charing Cross

T: 0870 264 3333. www.savoy-theatre.co.uk Consistently a musical favourite, Lesley Garrett starring as Nettie along with Teatro’s Jeremiah James in the Rodgers and Hammerstein musical love story.

CHICAGO

Cambridge Theatre, Earlham Street, WC2 9HU. Leicester Square/Tottenham Court Road

T: 0870 890 1102. www.chicagolondon.co.uk Murder, greed and passion are just another route to stardom for convicted murderers Roxie and Velma as they ricochet from the stage to prison and back again.

W2L SUMMER 2009 89

Theatreland welcomes another feel-good hit for summer with

the riotous Sister Act musical, says Chris Peacock

THEATRE MUSIC/PLAYS/SHOWS

ALMEIDA THEATRE

Almeida Street, N1 1TA.
/ Angel/Highbury & Islington

T: 020 7359 4404. www.almeida.co.uk When the Rain Stops Falling (until 4 July) How can patterns of betrayal, love and abandonment be changed? It takes four generations and two continents to fi nd out how to break the legacy.

A LITTLE NIGHT MUSIC

Garrick Theatre, 2 Charing Cross Road, WC2H OHH.

Leicester Square

T: 0870 890 1104. www.nimaxtheatres.com Set in Sweden at the turn of the century,
it follows four couples through passionate liaisons at the height of summer. Score by Stephen Sondheim.

IMAGE: GAVIN MCKENZIE

APOLLO THEATRE

Shaftesbury Avenue, W1V 7HD.
Piccadilly

T: 0844 412 4658.
www.apollo-theatre.co.uk
Marilyn (until 13 June) Story of the world famous actress of a bygone era, with 15 hit songs including I Wanna Be Loved By You. Followed by Carrie’s War (opens 18 June).

AVENUE Q

Gielgud Theatre, Shaftesbury Avenue, W1D 7ES

Piccadilly

T: 0844 482 5130.
www.delfontmackintosh.co.uk
The muppets are back in a new venue, but this isn’t any old Sesame Street-esque performance. Expect a rude, lewd, politically incorrect score with some hilarious investment advice that has the audience in hoots. Not for younger children.