Sister Act review as show runs this week at Ipswich Regent

Originally planned to come on tour in 2020, the Covid pandemic put paid to the original plans but the large audience at the Regent last night seemed to have no complaints now it has reached us.

Based on the hugely-popular 1990s movie, Sister Act was turned into a stage musical about ten years later with music by Disney legend Alan Menken (Little Mermaid, Aladdin, Beauty and the Beast).

This production has a star-studded cast with Lesley Joseph as the Mother Superior, Sandra Marvin (Emmerdale) as Deloris/Sister Mary Clarence and Clive Rowe as Officer Eddie.

Sandra Marvin as Deloris in Sister Act at the Ipswich Regent. (Image: Manuel Harlan/Ipswich Regent)

The production opened in Manchester last June, spent two months in the West End and has been touring the country since then.

You can tell that by watching the show - it's a slick, sharp production full of energy and excitement.

The voices of everyone - and most of the cast has an opportunity to shine at some point - are fantastic.

Marvin carries the show brilliantly and Rowe's besotted police officer has both a great singing voice and great comic timing.

Clive Rowe as officer Eddie Souther in Sister Act at Ipswich Regent. (Image: Manuel Harlan/Ipswich Regent)

The audience absolutely lapped up the show - there was a lengthy, and well-deserved, standing ovation at the end and everyone seemed to leave the theatre with a smile on their face.

The only minor caveats I have is that Sister Act's score isn't Menken's greatest - the numbers are spectacular and enjoyable but don't really have the "ear-worm" you get from a really great musical.

And the first half does feel slightly laboured at times as the "fish out of water" plot is set up.

But overall they are minor quibbles about what is a great evening's entertainment.