Sister Act, London Palladium (From Daily Echo)

Sister Act, London Palladium

2:56pm Friday 13th November 2009 in

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FOR me, there are few better ways to while away an afternoon and evening in the capital than with dinner and a show – and when it’s a great feed and a superb feel-good musical like this one, it’s the perfect winter pick-me-up.

I ventured to London recently to see Sister Act, one of the few West End musicals this spoilt theatre lover was yet to see, and found it a complete joy.

A friend and I decided to head to Haymarket before the show to test out the new Planet Hollywood, which has undergone a £5m makeover and reopened in a different location.

Tucking into a shared starter of delicious rings of crispy coated calamari and a cocktail each, we declared the new Haymarket a winner.

An incredibly extensive menu includes a selection of classic dishes and some Planet Hollywood favourites, such as the hugely popular Planet Burger, as well as everything from pizzas to a wok station and fajitas to giant sandwiches.

Feeling satisfied and a great deal fuller, we walked to the famous London Palladium, currently housing the stage adaptation of Whoopi Goldberg’s smash hit film about a nun on the run.

There are a few faces you will recognise on stage and a few names you will know in the credits – Goldberg herself was involved in putting the production on – but none are as impressive as the unknown lead who totally blew me away.

Playing the disco diva who witnesses a murder and is put into protective custody in a convent, Patina Miller is utterly mesmerising as Dolores Van Cartier.

The show starts brightly but truly reaches its peak in the second act when Dolores breathes new life into the church and inspires the choir.

The sight of a dozen nuns singing their hearts out in front of a giant stained-glass window was pretty much as close as you come to a religious experience in theatre.

It had us up on our feet and partying long before the rousing finale.

All in all, a divine musical comedy and the perfect way to dance off all those calories consumed earlier in the day!

• Sister Act is playing at the London Palladium in Argyll Street and is currently taking bookings until December 2010. The nearest underground station is Oxford Circus. Visit sisteractthemusical.com for tickets and details.

The new Planet Hollywood is situated nearby in London’s Haymarket. To book, visit planethollywoodlondon.com.