In London’s West End 2021: Jennifer Saunders to star in Sister Act The Musical tour

LONDON – Producers Jamie Wilson and Whoopi Goldberg have announced Jennifer Saunders will reprise her role as ‘Mother Superior’ in select performances for the UK tour of Sister Act The Musical.

The rescheduled UK and Ireland tour will now open on 7th September 2021 at the Mayflower Theatre, Southampton, the tour will then continue into 2022 to new and rescheduled venues in the UK and Ireland. The tour follows the run in London at The Eventim Apollo which stars Jennifer Saunders and Whoopi Goldberg which will open on 20th July 2021 and run until 29th August 2021. Further dates to be announced.

Jennifer will play ‘Mother Superior’ at the following venues, Mayflower Theatre Southampton from 7th to 11th September 2021, Manchester Palace Theatre from 27th September to 9th October 2021, Birmingham Hippodrome from 2nd to 13th November 2021 and Wales Millennium Centre from 22nd to 27th November 2021.

‘Mother Superior’ will be played by Lesley Joseph in the following venues, Leicester Curve from 13th to 25th September 2021, Dartford Orchard Theatre from 10th to 15th January 2022, Millennium Forum in Derry from 7th to 12th February 2022, and Nottingham Theatre Royal from 28th March to 2nd April 2022.

The previously announced Brenda Edwards and Clive Role will play ‘Deloris Van Cartier’ and ‘Eddie Souther’ at selected venues.

Jennifer Saunders is a multi award-winning actress, comedian and writer. She is one half of the successful comedy duo French and Saunders and also wrote and starred in five series, three specials and a feature film of her hit comedy Absolutely Fabulous. Her many other TV credits include writing and starring in Jam and Jerusalem and guest starring in Friends and Roseanne. Film credits include the voice of the evil Fairy Godmother in Shrek 2. On stage she has appeared in Lady Windermere’s Fan at the Vaudeville Theatre and Blithe Spirit at Bath Theatre Royal and Duke of York’s Theatre in the West End. Sister Act the musical will mark Jennifer’s musical theatre debut.

Lesley Joseph is best known for playing ‘Dorien Green’ in the hugely successful sitcom “Birds of a Feather” alongside Pauline Quirke and Linda Robson. They recorded over 100 episodes over a period of nine years and returned to our screens in 2014 for a further three series. Lesley most recently appeared as ‘Frau Blucher’ in the West End production of the Mel Brooks musical “Young Frankenstein” for which she received an Olivier Award nomination for Best Supporting Actress in a Musical. Her other theatre credits include ‘Miss Hannigan’ in “Annie” at the West End’s Victoria Palace and also on national tour as well as the touring productions of “Calendar Girls” and “Thoroughly Modern Mille”.

Brenda Edwards first came to the public’s attention when she became a semi-finalist in the 2005 series of ITV1’s The X Factor. Since then, she has become one of the most sought-after leading ladies in musical theatre. Her many West End and touring credits include ‘Killer Queen’ in “We Will Rock You” at the Dominion Theatre and original UK Tour, ‘Mama Morton’ in “Chicago” at The Adelphi Theatre, ‘Nettie Fowler’ in “Carousel” at London Coliseum, ‘Pearl Pastor’ in “Carmen Jones” at Royal Festival Hall, ‘Esta’ in “Moby Dick” at Union Theatre and  ‘Motormouth Maybelle’ in “Hairspray” on UK Tour . Brenda most recently starred in “White Christmas” in London’s West End at The Dominion Theatre and is a regular panellist on ITV’s Loose Women.

Clive Rowe won the Olivier award for Best Supporting Actor in a Musical for “Guys and Dolls” at The National Theatre and was also nominated for Best Supporting Performance in “Carousel”, also at The National Theatre. At 2009’s Oliviers, he was nominated for the Outstanding Achievement in an Affiliate Theatre award for “Mother Goose” at Hackney Empire. His many West End and touring credits include “Ladykillers” at the Gielgud Theatre, “Chicago” at the Adelphi Theatre, “Sweet Charity” at the Donmar Warehouse, the UK tour of “The Wind in The Willows” and “Me and My Girl” at Chichester Festival Theatre.

Based on the iconic movie, this sparkling tribute to the universal power of friendship, sisterhood and music tells the hilarious story of the disco diva whose life takes a surprising turn when she witnesses a murder. Under protective custody she is hidden in the one place she won’t be found – a convent!  Disguised as a nun and under the suspicious watch of Mother Superior, Deloris helps her fellow sisters find their voices as she unexpectedly rediscovers her own.

Sister Act The Musical has direction by Bill Buckhurst, choreography by Alistair David, Set and costume Design by Morgan Large,  Lighting Design by Tim Mitchell, Sound Design by Tom Marshall and Musical Supervision by Stephen Brooker. Casting is by Stuart Burt.

Sister Act The Musical features original music by Tony® and 8-time Oscar® winner Alan Menken (Disney’s Aladdin, Enchanted), lyrics by Glenn Slater, book by Bill and Cheri Steinkellner with additional book material by Douglas Carter Beane. Sister Act The Musical is produced by Jamie Wilson and Whoopi Goldberg. Tom Leonardis, Head of Whoopi’s production company, will also be on the producing team.

To book tickets to Sister Act, visit their website here