Whoopi Goldberg is to reprise the role of Deloris Van Cartier for a London stage revival of her hit 1992 movie, Sister Act.
Adding extra excitement to the announcement is that she will be joined by Absolutely Fabulous star, Jennifer Saunders. The British comedian will play the role of Mother Superior in the convent that Van Cartier hides in after witnessing a murder. In the original movie, the role was played by Maggie Smith.
Related: Here’s the 25-year ‘Sister Act’ reunion you never knew you never needed
The new production will come to the Eventim Apollo in Hammersmith for a limited run of two weeks from 29 July 2020. The venue is more usually used for music concerts. Larger than any West End theater, it can hold over 3,500 people.
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The news was announced yesterday with both stars appearing in a short promotional video online.
*WHOOPI’S BACK* @WhoopiGoldberg will be coming to the @EventimApollo London next summer to play Deloris in @sisteractsocial alongside JENNIFER SAUNDERS as Mother Superior! It's gonna be (absolutely) FABULOUS, BABY! *ONLY 39 PERFORMANCES* https://t.co/zMCyVwhptx @ferrifrump pic.twitter.com/YAQ0YKix6Z
— SISTER ACT THE MUSICAL (@sisteractsocial) October 24, 2019
Goldberg, 63, said: “I’m coming back to London. Yes, I’m starring as Deloris Van Cartier in Sister Act the Musical. The original Deloris is back! A little older, a little seasoned, but really still kind of out there.”
Saunders, 61, joked: “It’s Whoopi Goldberg in Sister Act, playing Deloris, at the Eventim Apollo. I would buy tickets, but I can’t buy tickets because I’m in it. But I think this could be the event of the century. That’s all I’m saying, small thing, but THE event.”
Goldberg previously took the part of the Mother Superior in a London run of the show in 2010. Following the success of the 1992 original movie, it was followed a year later by a sequel, Sister Act 2: Back in the Habit.
Related: Jennifer Saunders Says “Absolutely Fabulous” Is Dead
Saunders rose to fame in the UK in the early 1980s along with comedy partner Dawn French. She picked up a worldwide following for writing and starring in the BBC comedy Absolutely Fabulous, playing Edina Monsoon against Joanna Lumley as Monsoon’s best friend, Patsy Stone. A movie version of the show hit theaters in 2016.
innocentgay
And tickets are going fast; I was barely able to get two seats together.
Tombear
Try getting a ticket to a Saunders and Goldberg performance. Good luck!