OH HAPPY DAY! Sister Act Live Choir comes to Cardiff’s St David’s Hall next Saturday for two performances at 2,30pm and 7.30pm.
The production allows audiences to experience the classic 1992 film like never before with a huge cinematic screen showing Whoopi Goldberg et al behind an amazing 35-piece lUplifted Voices Choir – as featured on The X Factor and The Voice!
Plus, to get fans into a soul-stirring gospel mood, the show opens with a special guest performance from Britain’s Got Talent semi-finalists, Gospel Singers Incognito (GSI).
Neil Collins recently chatted to Uplifted Voices lead singer Diamantina about the show.
Live choral and orchestral accompaniments to classic films are very much in vogue at the moment. What is it that’s so unique about Sister Act that still attracts people of all ages over 25 years later?
Sister Act was a monumental film in 1992 with so many hidden messages and themes, which were very apt at the time and still hold true today. It delivers messages about fitting in – in the most unexpected places – not judging a book by its cover and unity despite background, race and personal difference.
As well as covering heartfelt topics like these, it delivers them with humour and with some of the most memorable songs!
Both performances at St David’s Hall on Saturday 17 February are fast approaching sell-outs. How has the rest of the tour gone?
We are excited to have the opportunity to take the show to different cities, and the tour the show has been met with such warmth and positive attitude in all the cities. Ticket sales are doing really well too!
What songs can fans expect to hear in the show?
Songs like I Will Follow Him, My God and Hail Holy Queen will definitely be performed. We have a few exciting solos and a surprise at the end, as well as a pre-performance from an amazing group – so much to look forward to!
Has Sister Act Live Choir received any endorsements from the cast of the original film such as Whoopi Goldberg?
Not yet, but we are keeping our fingers crossed that Whoopi could make it to one of our shows before the tour is over. I think she’d love it!
The Sister Act Live Tour will come to Cardiff’s St Havid’s Hall
How did the show come about? Were the choristers specifically chosen for Sister Act Live Choir, or do they also perform in Amacoast Cinema’s other productions?
Our creative director Kandi Aro came up with the concept of the show. Watching the film at home with her friends about a decade or so after its release, she found they were all laughing, dancing and singing along to the songs the whole way through!
At that moment, she felt she had to do something to touch and bring happiness to hundreds of people the way she had just experienced. The Uplifted Voices Choir were specifically chosen with this in mind – a big choir, with lots of experience, great voices and great character. It was a perfect match!
The amazing Uplifted Voices Choir are familiar faces on massively popular programmes like The X Factor and The Voice. Tell us a bit about appearing on those shows, and your other experiences such as performing in the BBC Gospel Proms at the Royal Albert Hall and accompanying top gospel artists.
Initially, it was nerve-wracking performing in front of such large audiences, but there’s no time to show nerves with opportunities like these. They have been amazing experiences and ones that have made us better equipped for our first tour of Sister Act Live Choir.
The Royal Albert Hall is a stunning venue, and I’m excited that we get to perform at other prestigious venues along the way.
Sister Act Live Choir also features an opening performance from Gospel Singers Incognito, who took Britain’s Got Talent by storm and reached the semi-finals. Tell us a little bit about them.
GSI choir was formed in 2010 as a group of friends who enjoyed singing together. They have an impressive list of performances including multiple TV appearances as the house choir on Lee Mack’s All Star Cast, backing Freddie Flintoff as Elvis on Sky 1’s League of their Own and spreading joy around the UK on the Christmas Coca-Cola Truck Tour. As you mentioned, in 2013 they reached the semi-finals of Britain’s Got Talent and their audition video has reached over 33 million YouTube views!
Amacoast Cinema creates exclusive and celebratory cinema experiences around black film, using live performers to bring films to life for an unforgettable cinema experience. What other productions have you got in the pipeline?
Amacoast Cinema have something really exciting in the pipeline and we’ll hopefully announce it pretty soon as we cannot contain this one for much longer! But unfortunately for now, a secret it must remain!
What makes Sister Act Live Choir unmissable for the whole family?
The energy, the atmosphere, the feel-good factor…People of all ages can come along to sing, dance and laugh their socks off! It’s a fantastic family day out as everyone leaves feeling joyous and uplifted!
- Sister Act Live has a PG (Parental Guidance) rating meaning some scenes may be unsuitable for young children. A PG film should not unsettle a child aged 8+.
- To book your seats, please visit stdavidshallcardiff.co.uk or call the Box Office on 029 2087 8444.