Sister Act stars loving being at Wolverhampton Grand

The stars of the hit musical Sister Act, which is playing at Wolverhampton Grand Theatre, reveal what they love about their all-singing, all-dancing roles.

Murder, betrayal and a whole lotta funk – box office smash Sister Act must be in town.

The classic nuns on the run tale, which played to over a million people at the London Palladium during its time on the West End, has hit Wolverhampton's Grand Theatre for a two-week stint.

The show's three leads – Corrie's Denise Black, Brookside favourite Michael Starke and Cynthia Erivbo – sat down for a chat with the Express & Star in the theatre bar before their opening performance.

Sister Act follows the tale of disco diva Deloris Van Cartier (Erivbo) who witnesses a murder.

She is placed into protective custody in the one place the cops are sure she won't be found – a convent.

Deloris is disguised as a nun and quickly finds fans amongst her fellow 'sisters' but makes the wrong impression on the convent's strict Mother Superior.

Erivbo, at just 25, is only two years out of the Royal Academy of Dramatic Arts (RADA) and said she was "very honoured" to have landed such a major role.

"I've worked very hard and I feel very lucky to be here," she said.

"The main difference between the stage show and the film is that it is set in a different time. The film was from the 90s and the show is set in the 70s, which was the era of disco and funk.

"The ideas are still the same and the premise is about the same – it's about acceptance and finding your voice."

She is joined on stage by Michael Starke, known for his role as Sinbad in soap Brookside, playing Monsignor O'Hara. He said he has "really taken" to life on the road.

"It's great coming into the bigger places like Wolverhampton – I'm just loving it. You get to look around and see what's on offer," he said.

"I love being on the road. It has been great fun – you get a different reaction everywhere you go."

He said even now, eight years since Brookside ended, he still gets people who recognise him for his role as window cleaner Sinbad.

"I still get people calling me Sinbad now and again. Recently I was walking past a guy who just stopped and pointed and said 'Window cleaner! Telly!'."

"I've done a couple of soaps but I'm really enjoying doing the shows now. And this is a fabulous show, really wonderful."

Meanwhile, after playing a man-eating hairdresser in Corrie, Black – who plays Mother Superior – has toyed with several minor roles including a stint in the Calendar Girls tour and Grumpy Old Women Live in 2007, as well as performing with her band, The Loose Screw.

"I took a break from contracted work to look after my family," she said.

"This is my debut back really. I've got a great part and I'm really enjoying it."

Sister Act runs until Saturday, February 18. Visit www.grandtheatre.info

Charlotte Cross