Starring Whoopy Goldberg, the film was a box-office success and she subsequently starred in the West-End stage version. It’s Philadelphia in the 1970s and brassy singer Deloris Van Cartier needs witness protection after seeing lowlife club-owner boyfriend Curtis (Paul Morris) shoot someone dead.

Police protection provided by ‘Sweaty Eddie’ (the excellent Alasdair Beddow) sees her moved to the Little Sisters Convent where she wins over the nuns but not the frosty Mother Superior. Louise Gains and Sally Manning were absolutely stunning in their respective roles, acting believably and singing beautifully. Of the chasing gangster-pack, Max Harwood really stood out as geeky TJ and young Jade Hollingshead was endearing as Sister Mary Robert.

The set and Musical Director Rachel Glover’s orchestra were fantastic, the choreography equally top-notch (Martyn Knight also directed!) and I had to check that this was an amateur production, such was the professional quality of the whole show.

What a Revelation!

Alan Johns