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The London stage adaptation of Sister Act, which was due to run in the summer of 2021 has sadly been rescheduled to run at the Eventim Apollo in Hammersmith, London from 19th July – 28th August 2022.
The announcement comes as the UK awaits official government guidance on a roadmap to reopen the nation, which is scheduled for the end of February. Following much speculation on whether the roadmap will entail a long-game and staggered approach to the arts and entertainment industry, it seems understandable that theatre companies are making the decision to wait and see what happens in the next 12 months at least, rather than preparing for summer 2021.
The official announcement came on 16th February, with a statement that said:
“Due to ongoing government restrictions resulting in a further delay to the production, Jamie Wilson and Whoopi Goldberg, the producers of Sister Act – The Musical, have sadly announced that it is now impossible to open the show at London’s Eventim Apollo this July. The performances are therefore rescheduled to begin in July 2022.
This necessary change of dates now means that Whoopi Goldberg will no longer be able to appear in the role of Deloris Van Cartier.”
Whoopi Goldberg said in the announcement:
“Sister Act is near and dear to my heart. And I’m disappointed. My producing partners and I will continue to work towards mounting a fantastic production, with an amazing new cast.
And we look forward to presenting it when it can be done safely for everyone onstage, behind the scenes, and in the audience.”
Producer Jamie Wilson concluded:
“This new version of Sister Act – The Musical has been in development for several years now and both Whoopi and I are committed to launching this celebratory, joyous and life affirming production with audiences in the UK. We can’t wait for everyone involved in the show to get back to doing what they love. We are now in the process of putting together a star-studded cast and will be able to share this news with you soon. We look forward to us all supporting and celebrating theatre when we return to the stage. It will be worth the wait”.
The musical’s statement also added that the UK and Ireland tour would be announcing casting for all roles as soon as possible and reassured ticket holders that they will be notified about the changes, and no action is needed from those who bought tickets for the now-cancelled shows.
Please see the below announcement ⬇️
✅ Don’t worry! No action is need, your point of purchase will be in touch as soon as possible.
For further information, please see:https://t.co/dWV65gFuZV#sisteract #sisteractthemusical pic.twitter.com/CBkjPn5aoA
— SISTER ACT THE MUSICAL (@sisteractsocial) February 16, 2021
The news has been doubly disappointing for fans, as Whoopi Goldberg has made six appearances in the show since the original production launched in London in 2009, and was eagerly anticipated by many to reprise the lead role from the family-favourite film. Brit actress and comedienne Jennifer Saunders was due to play the mother superior in the 2021 production, a role that had originally been played by Goldberg in the show’s first incantation back in 2009.
The musical closely keeps to the original film from 1992, that follows Deloris Van Cartier, a lounge singer who goes into witness protection as a nun at a convent after she witnesses a murder. Once there, she has trouble adjusting to her new lifestyle.
“Whoopi Goldberg stars as a sassy, low-rent lounge singer forced to hide from the mob in the last place anyone would ever look for her – a convent. While she’s there, her irreverent behaviour attracts a flock of faithful followers and turns the nuns’ tone-deaf choir into a soulful chorus of swingin’ singin’ sisters. But when the group earns rave reviews, her sudden celebrity jeopardises her hidden identity.” Disney+ description
Though the live show is still unfortunately some way off for UK audiences, the original film (and the sequel Sister Act 2: Back In The Habit) are well worth re-watching or introducing to a new generation of youngsters who may not have had the pleasure of catching them just yet.
With a winning combination of a superstar cast, fantastic songs, and a consistently gripping, laugh-out-loud narrative, the films have aged extremely well and it’s not difficult to see why the musical show has been in demand over the last 12 years.
The film is available to stream on Disney+ here and on All 4 for UK viewers here, as well as Netflix across many regions here.
Sister Act – The Musical Website
Sister Act – The Musical on Twitter
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Michelle is a musician and composer from the UK. She has performed across the UK and Europe and is passionate about arts education and opportunities for women and girls.
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