Just divine! A habit worth getting in to: PATRICK MARMION reviews Sister Act
Sister Act: The Musical (Eventim Apollo, Hammersmith)
Rating: 
This could be a first for Jennifer Saunders – and not just because she’s making her musical theatre debut.
Starring in the stage version of the role created by Maggie Smith in the 1992 film, it may be the first time the Ab Fab comedy diva hasn’t completely stolen a show.
Normally Ms Saunders can be counted on to make off with the Crown Jewels of any production like a showbiz kleptomaniac.
Here, though, the pleasure of that purloinment is quite properly taken by Beverley Knight, who more than lives up to her character’s signature tune Fabulous, Baby!
Beverley Knight (left) as Deloris van Cartier and Jennifer Saunders (right) as Mother Superior. In a first, Saunders hasn’t stolen the show, with Knight overflowing in swagger and attitude
Playing the night club singer Deloris van Cartier, who hides from the mob in a convent (a part incarnated by Whoopi Goldberg), Knight has swagger and attitude to go with her mega-watt voice as she warbles her way through a gamut of soul, gospel and funk.
She put me in mind of Whitney Houston; and at one point also ascends to Disco-heaven, like Diana Ross, in a glitterball moon. But the sweetest thing is the warmth of Knight’s sisterhood with the cloistered nuns, who at first sing like fire engines (look out for Sandra Marvin in the role of Deloris on the Irish and UK tour from September).
Naturally Saunders’ Mother Superior secures much of the mirth with rueful head shimmies and seasoned timing. When in private comms with The Big Fella Himself, in her divine torch song Haven’t Got A Prayer, she cheekily pops out a lady-shave and hip flask – but is surprisingly tender too.
Her Sisters in Christ are a crack team of dancefloor demons, with husky Lesley Joseph rough as shoe leather as the choir conductor who’s always wanted to sing funky bass.
When Joseph takes over from Saunders as Mother Superior on tour she’s sure to weave her own magic alongside Lizzie Bea as the ‘Postulant’ nun whose turn in The Life I Never Led is the best thing since Susan Boyle’s I Dreamed A Dream from Les Mis.
The entire company is terrific and the musical has become a very slick commercial operation
I can’t see it getting approval from The Holy See just yet, but Sister Act remains blissfully silly
But the entire company is terrific. Clive Rowe is a hoot as the lovelorn cop Eddie Souther, adding comedy eye-rolls to a voice that combines Luther Vandross with the Stylistics.
And as the mobster sidekicks Pablo, Joey and TJ, Damian Buhagiar, Tom Hopcroft and Bradley Judge deliver a brilliantly cheesy spoof of the Floaters’ Float On – you know the one… ‘Aquarius, and my name is Ralph…’.
Since it hit these shores in 2009, the musical has become a very slick commercial operation and this vast venue is surely a temple to Mammon with easy-clean floors to cope with rivers of slopped booze in the stalls. But Bill Buckhurst’s shamelessly chintzy production transcends that, in front of a huge gothic rose window that flashes like a fruit machine. And he adds surreal touches, including the nuns disarming the crims with bell rope, dummy blessings and incense balls.
I can’t see it getting approval from The Holy See just yet; but Sister Act remains blissfully silly stuff and my advice is, as Saunders says, ‘get thee to a nunnery… and quickly too!’
Celebs Go Dating expert Anna Williamson nails summer glam in a floral maxi-dress as she attends Sister Act press night with her husband Alex Di Pasquale
By Elmira Tanatarova for MailOnline
Anna Williamson nailed soft summer glam in a floral-print maxi-dress as she attended the Sister Act musical press night in London on Wednesday.
The Celebs Go Dating expert, 41, stunned in the white puff-sleeved dress, adorned with yellow, green and orange flower motifs.
The star teamed the wholesome look with white strappy sandals, adding a pop of colour with a scarlet manicure.
Summer style: Anna Williamson nailed soft summer glam in a floral-print maxi-dress as she attended the ‘Sister Act musical press night in London on Wednesday
She styled her highlighted blonde tresses in loose waves, opting for a glowy warm make-up look with warm eyeshadow and a baby pink lipstick.
Anna cuddled up to her husband Alex Di Pasqual, who looked dapper in a white button-up and straight-leg chinos, as she posed for photos.
Alex put on a suave display, finishing the look off with stylish laced loafers.
He showed off his voluminous raven curls, wearing his grown out hair down.
Loved-up: Anna cuddled up to her husband Alex Di Pasqual, who looked dapper in a white button-up and straight-leg chinos, as she posed for photos
It comes as Anna’s pal Louisa Zissman recently took to Instagram to film some quick updates and check in with fans, who she thanked for buying tickets to see the pair in LuAnna: The Big Night out at the London Palladium.
Speaking to the camera, Luisa, 35, began: ‘How is everyone? Sorry I’ve been a bit quiet on here just because…just been really enjoying being in the moment with the kids and the hubby and the rest of our family that is here with us…so I’ve not really done anything on here.’
She added: ‘Thank you so much to all of you who have bought tickets to the Palladium to see Luanna: The Big Night Out, it was absolutely insane.
‘…It’s pretty much sold out now, there are a few tickets remaining.’
Updates: It comes as Anna’s pal Louisa Zissman recently took to Instagram to film some quick updates and check in with fans, who she thanked for buying tickets to see the pair in LuAnna: The Big Night out at the London Palladium
Elsewhere Anna earlier this year shocked Abz Love with a 90s throwback photo during a Celebs Go Dating episode.
The agent explained that she was in a girlband called Blush who were the support act of Abz’s group Five in 1997 – before showing the baffled star a photo of them together back in the day.
As Abz, 43, made himself comfortable on the sofa, Anna said: ‘Nice to see you again.’
Surprise! Celebs Go Dating’s Anna shocked Abz Love with a 90s throwback photo earlier this year
She then revealed the throwback photo as Abz put his hand over his mouth and said: ‘That rings a bell.’
He continued: ‘I’m not going to lie. I’m slightly relieved because I thought you were going to show me like in some compromising position with a glitterball or maybe an alpaca with a video camera strapped to its head. I was like yo!’
Five sold 20 million records in their four years together, and the day after the band officially split in September 2001, Scott Robinson, 39, from Essex, tied the knot with girlfriend Kerry Oaker.
Throwback: The dating agent, 40, explained that she was in a girlband called Blush who were the support act of Abz’s group Five in 1997
All smiles: Anna said: ‘Let’s go back to 1997. I was in a girlband and we had probably the best gig of our lives, the support act to Five!’
Abz has spoken candidly of his terrifying battle with drugs and alcohol since leaving the band, revealing he even considered suicide.
The television presenter, 54, enlisted the help of show experts Anna and Paul C Brunson before heading on her first date, but her companion Tal was less than impressed with their time together.
Tal rated the star a six out of 10 following their meeting and took the opportunity to offer some advice to Ulrika, telling her: ‘I would also say, constructively, a date, ultimately, should be fun.
‘If you’re not having fun opposite the person that you’re talking to, don’t do it. Get up and leave.’
Bandmates: The band’s original line-up in 1997 – Abz Love, Ritchie Neville, Scott Robinson, Sean Conlon and J Brown
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