The Sister Act UK tour has arrived at Norwich Theatre Royal and it is nothing short of a blessing.
The uplifting musical is the perfect tonic to the January blues as it follows disco diva Deloris Van Cartier (Sandra Marvin) who witnesses a murder and is then placed in a convent for her protection.
But being tasked with blending in is no mean feat for Deloris and she leaves Mother Superior (Lori Hayley Fox) begging for divine intervention when she appears to be leading the other impressionable nuns astray.
Sandra Marvin as Deloris in the UK tour of Sister Act. Picture: Manuel Harlan (Image: Manuel Harlan)
But Deloris' arrival turns out to be a miracle in this celebration of sisterhood and friendship as she transforms the out-of-tune choir, putting it mildly, into something sent from the heavens.
Sandra Marvin, who has many West End credits and also played Jessie Grant in Emmerdale, was simply sublime in the title role.
Her vocals were as smooth as butter and her powerful voice filled the auditorium as if it was a gospel concert.
There are plenty of laugh-out-loud moments in Sister Act. Picture: Manuel Harlan (Image: Sister Act)
Songs that particularly stood out were the very catchy It's Good to be a Nun, triumphant anthem Raise Your Voice and technicolour finale Spread the Love Around - where the audience was in the presence of the Pope himself.
The show features original music by Oscar award-winner Alen Menken, who also worked on Disney's Aladdin and Enchanted.
The musical is based on the iconic 1992 film starring Whoopi Goldberg and the stage elevates it to a whole new level - though I did miss the song I Will Follow Him.
Lizzie Bea as Sister Mary Robert in Sister Act. Picture: Manuel Harlan (Image: Manuel Harlan)
Lori Hayley Fox had a fabulous turn as Mother Superior as her tough exterior melted away and West End star Lizzie Bea was a hip-popping revelation as Sister Mary Robert.
Graham MacDuff as police officer Eddie was ace, particularly with a three-layer quick change you would blink and miss, and the trio of criminals TJ, Joey and Pablo (Bradley Judge, Tom Hopcroft and Damian Buhagiar were electric on stage together.
The Sister Act UK tour has come to Norwich. Picture: Manuel Harlan (Image: Manuel Harlan)
This show is a gift from above and ticks all the boxes for music, comedy and costumes.
Sister Act runs until Saturday, January 14 with tickets still available.
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules here