Sister Act at the Festival Theatre Edinburgh

I feel guilty every time I see Sister Act!

Apart from disco diva Deloris hiding out in a convent to avoid her murdering married lover, it's all about a band of, hitherto tuneless, nuns who Deloris knocks into shape to raise funds to save their church from developers. As someone who lives in a converted church, in a city where so many are now alternative dwellings, I do feel some remorse.

But, enough of the contrition! Sister Act is, as always, a joyous celebration of how good overcomes evil in the home of soul music… colourful, 1970s Philadelphia where, at least, one church gets saved.

Based on the 1992 film starring Whoopi Goldberg and Maggie Smith, this production stars, as the Mother Superior, Lesley Joseph, a pocket powerhouse who delivers comedy, pathos, serenity and strength in an unbeatable performance and at an age (I won't give it away) when most people are putting their feet up in retirement homes. She's incredible!

Landi Oshinowo, as Deloris, reprises the role she played at the London Palladium, taking her impressive voice on a marathon tour, and sounding like Diana Ross.

The sterling cast continues with Alfie Parker who, as Eddie Souther, the policeman with a soft spot for Deloris, not only demonstrates his capacity to make us laugh, but also leaves us aghast with his beautiful singing voice. We love him!

His is not the only character to love. Each of the nuns stand out for their own personalities, not least the effervescent Sister Mary Patrick, played by Isabel Canning, and Hairspray's Lizzie Bea, who melts our hearts and also delivers some impressive singing as the novice nun Sister Mary Robert.

This production of Sister Act really did 'take me to Heaven', at times moving, often surprising (thanks to director Bill Buckhurst and set and costume designer Morgan Large) but mainly, as the Christmas carol goes (well, the action does take place at Christmas!), joyful and triumphant!

Image: Mark Senior

Sister Act is at the Festival Theatre Edinburgh until Oct 7

0131 529 6000

capitaltheatres.com

The tour continues:

Oct 9-14: Belgrade Theatre Coventry

Oct 16-28: Everyman Cheltenham

Nov 13-18: Millennium Centre Cardiff

Nov 2015: Alhambra Theatre Bradford

Nov 27-Dec 2: Sunderland Empire

Jan 31-Feb 10: Leicester Curve

Feb 13-24: Bord Gais Energy Theatre Dublin

Feb 26-Mar 2: Millennium Forum Derry/Londonderry

Mar 11-16: Theatre Royal Brighton

Mar 18-30: Palace Theatre Manchester

Apr 2-6: Opera House Cork

Apr 8-20: Grand Opera House Belfast

Apr 29-May 4: Kings Theatre Glasgow

May 13-18: Hippodrome Birmingham

May 27-Jun 1: Buxton Opera House

Jun 4-8: Sands Centre Carlisle

Jun 10-15: Royal Derngate Northampton

Jun 24-29: Storyhouse Chester

Jul 2-6: Auditorium Grimsby

Jul 8-13: Congress Theatre Eastbourne

Jul 15-20: Winter Gardens Blackpool

Aug 5-17: Theatre Royal Bath

Aug 19-24: Bournemouth Pavilion Theatre

Aug 26-31: Princess Theatre Torquay

Sept 9-14: Hippodrome Darlington

Sept 16-21: Theatre Royal Nottingham

Sept 23-28: Grand Theatre Swansea

Sept 30-Oct 5: Liverpool Empire