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A Sentimental Journey
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This is a shocking, replenishing film, not to be missed
Green Zone
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The action and direction are superb and the acting good, but the plot is so pathetic it defies belief
Wonderful - beautifully acted and gloriously funny, particularly Simon Russell Beale and Fiona Shaw
Probably the most important photography exhibition london has ever seen
London,
Fiona Mountford's rating
Reader rating
Dir: Peter Schneider, MIchael Kosarin, Anthony Van Laast.
Cast: Patina Miller, Sheila Hancock, Ian Lavender, Chris Jarman, Ako Mitchell, Katie Rowley Jones, Claire Greenway, Julia Sutton, Thomas Goodridge, Ivan De Freitas
Description: Peter Schneider directs a musical comedy based on the 1990s film, with updated music and lyrics by Alan Menken and Glenn Slater.
Times: Mon-Sat 7.30pm, mats Wed, Sat 3pm (extra mats Oct 26, Dec 20, 23 & 24, 27, 31, no perf Dec 25), booking to Mar 17 2011
Price: £17.50-£62.50, Premium Seats £85, limited number of £25 front row stalls seats available in person from 10am on day of performance
Trains: Tube: Oxford Circus 
Phone: 0207087 7599
Website: www.londontheatre.co.uk
Sing something wimple: the stunning Patina Miller shows true star quality in Sister Act
It's been done before, the reasoning might have gone, so why not do it again? Put a singing nun centre stage in a musical and watch the piece climb every mountain.
The difference this time around is that there are two problems to be solved: one called Deloris, instead of Maria, and another of successfully transferring the popular 1992 Whoopi Goldberg film to the stage.
Gallery: Sister Act offical opening night
Whether or not divine intervention is involved, it’s a wimple-wibbling, habit-forming triumph.
You probably know the story by now. Nightclub singer Deloris Van Cartier witnesses her crime boss boyfriend commit a murder, and is hidden away in a failing convent by witness protection until she can testify.
The nuns can’t sing, but Deloris got rhythm and all the sisters triumphantly wind up doing it for themselves, each other and even the Pope.
Before Peter Schneider’s production builds up the unstoppable head of momentum that led to the quickest standing ovation I’ve ever seen on a West End first night, there are some dubious early moments.
The hand-knitted charm of the film is ditched in favour of a far raunchier look, with Deloris (Patina Miller), overly full of attitude initially, and her low-life chums transposed into a Seventies blaxploitation aesthetic.
The year 1992, along with the idea of contemporary religious fervour, seems to be a concept too nebulous for anyone to bother with now.
Once we find Sheila Hancock’s delightfully droll Mother Superior (“God has brought you to this place: take the hint”) waiting for Deloris, sorry, Sister Mary Clarence, things take a distinct turn for the heavenly.
Alan Menken’s attractive, gospel-inflected score kicks in and those soon-to-be swinging sisters introduce themselves marvellously in How I Got the Calling. Helped along by Anthony Van Laast’s energetic choreography, they supply a stream of cherishable images: a can-can line of nuns in gaudy surplices, and then an ad hoc convent pyjama party as they pray away late-night nerves before the climactic encounter with His Holiness.
There’s further fun to be had courtesy of the Deloris-chasing hoodlums who croon a Barry White-esque ode to nun-wooing, Lady In The Long Black Dress. Yet there can be no disputing the evening’s main draw: 24-year-old Miller, who fills this huge stage with so many bundles of star quality that another dressing room will surely have to be found for them all.
Her magnificent voice is rich, soaring and, crucially, unflagging. She might have been unknown last night, but today all that will have changed. Take it away, sisters.
Details are correct at the time of publication - please check with venue before booking.
Just fabulous. We had doubts whether it was going to deliver, but needn't have worried. A minor technical glitch that held up the show for 5 mins or so at the start couldn't put a downer on this. Standing ovation for a brilliant cast with a fabulous performance. We all agreed that we'd grinned and laughed so much it hurt. Definately on the list to see again and again.
- Becky, Staffs,Uk
Sister Act the show and it's characters were rather lost in this huge theatre where you really do expect to see them 'put on a show'. The costumes were sparkly true but nothing we haven't seen before. The rather static set was colourful but not impressive enough and, apart from a replica church interior, failed to fill the space. Patina Miller is good - I'd like to see her in Dreamgirls but the show came across as live cabaret too often and just wasn't much of a 'musical'. The more 'intimate' musicals in London are far far better (La Cage/A little night music)
- Daniel, East London, London, UK
A great production, set and cast!
My only criticism would be that it starts a little slowly however, that can be forgiven given the quality of the set and most importantly the cast! 
- Sara Ancill, Dartford, Kent
My comment that I would like to add here is that when I went to see the show it was just spectatcular and my Mum who played Mary Lazauras who was on the piano and done here rap act, She was amazing in her self.
And the show will be a wonderful sell out and long term runner.
Nicolas Woodbridge
- Nicolas Woodbridge, Brenftord, London,Middlesex,
Utterly average rubbish for far too long - only gets into its stride by the last song of the first half and by then it's the interval. Brilliant set deserves a better show.
- Annalin, Bow
Perfect combination of smart and silly. Witticisms and tunes top-notch. A great evening out at the Palladium.
- Xander, Bourne
This is a heartless, tawdry musical which will surely best suit the debased imbeciles who give a standing ovation on the first note to auditionees on Britain's Got Talent. Sister Act lacks soul in any sense.
- Lex, London
We saw a preview of Sister Act this weekend and had an absolute blast! I was a bit concerned that I'd miss Whoopi, but within minutes she was forgotten. Patina Miller was fabulous, as was the entire cast. Let's face it, it doesn't get much funnier than comedy nuns. And wait till you see the costumes!
The cast received a spontaneous standing ovation which was well deserved. I hope the show proves to be a big hit.
- Claire Mclaughlin, Exeter, UK
All the theatre needs now is to add some air conditioning, stop charging £4.70 for two bottles of water and come into the 2000s and over payment by card.
- Matthew Willis, london
