'Sister Act' in Derry's Millennium is 'Too Hot to Hide'

West End legend Landi Oshinowo wants everyone coming to ‘Sister Act’ in the Millennium Forum to don their platform boots or nun outfits for a great night in the convent!

Looking forward to coming to Derry, Landi who is starring as disco diva Deloris Van Cartier, revealed her musical theatre career began when she answered an ad in ‘The Stage’ for a cabaret production in San Antonio in Ibiza. “I haven’t looked back since,” she laughed, describing ‘Sister Act’ as “full of heart and warmth”.

“‘Sister Act’ has all those elements, sisterhood, friendship, love, self-discovery, finding your own voice,” said Landi.

“It also has comedy. It is such a beautiful story of a woman who discovers herself. Deloris is brash and loud and very uncultured really. Then she goes into witness protection in a convent, of all places, and she finds herself.

“She realises she can actually have meaningful friendships and actually love people for who they are, and acceptance. She has acceptance from them and they have acceptance from her. And, also at the end of the story, Deloris does find love.”

Landi appeared in the original West End production of ‘Sister Act’ in the London Palladium a few years ago, with the late Ian Lavender - of Dad’s Army fame - who had played the Monsignor. “He was so lovely”, she added. “I am so delighted now to be part of the touring production, where one of my favourite songs has to be ‘Fabulous Baby’.

“Having said that, I love ‘Raise Your Voice’ and ‘Sister Act’. ‘The Life I Never Led’ sung by Sr Mary Robert is another beautiful song.

“The music is just brilliantly re-written by Alan Menken and Glenn Slater. Audiences have come expecting to hear the music from the film but the music in the show is absolutely written. It is music of the ‘70s and Alan Menken has literally worked disco tunes everyone will know, brilliantly, all throughout the show.

“People go away from Sister Act humming the tunes, which is really important because it is great to remember songs from the show, even after seeing the show once,” said Landi, who has appeared on stage with the original Deloris, Whoopi Goldberg.

“It was many years ago. She was made Mother Superior and I did get to play opposite her. That was brilliant.”

‘Sister Act’ is on tour all over Ireland and Britain until October 5, when the run finishes in Liverpool’s Empire Theatre.

Asked what musical she would like to do next, Landi didn’t hesitate.

“I would absolutely love to do ‘Tina - The Tina Turner Musical’ by Frank Ketelaar, Katori Hall, and Kees Prins.

“I really admired her as a singer. A while ago in London, I did a show called ‘Starstruck’. I was one of the Tinas on that show. It was a competition like ‘Stars in Their Eyes’ and I absolutely loved it. I had actually met her before when I did a workshop for Tina, so that’s one I would love to do.”

‘Sister Act’ will be on in the Millennium Forum from Monday (February 26) to Thursday (February 29): 8.00pm; Friday (February 29): 5.00pm and 8.30pm; and Saturday (March 2) 3.00pm and 8.00pm.