Blogtober Day 3 | Sister Act: The Musical

Sister Act is one of my favourite films. If you haven't seen it then I highly, highly recommend. Deloris is a singer and girlfriend to a mobster, when she witnesses him commit murder, she is relocated for her own protection. She is placed in a convent. Deloris is as far from a nun as you can possibly get! The film is light-hearted, humerous and definitely makes you want to join in with the singing and dancing! For me, the audience atmosphere makes the stage musical even better.

I've seen Sister Act: The Musical once before; it was a local production starring a few girls I was in school with and it was very good. It made me smile, laugh, sing along and even dance a little too. When I heard that a larger production of the musical was coming to Glasgow I instantly started searching for tickets. My mum and I have discovered that musicals and shows are our thing. We are very different so never usually like the same things but musicals and shows are one thing we do have in common. We have gone to a fair few over the last two years and we intend to go to a few more next year too! Mum loves Sister Act so when she agreed to go and I managed to get tickets for us, I was over the moon! Somehow, I always manage to get us great seats and this time was no different. The tickets were a little more pricey than normal but I assumed it was because of the scale of the production and because it was Craig Revel Horwood directing and choreographing the production. I found out a week later that it wasn't because of Craig Revel Horwood, Alexandra Burke had been cast as the character of Deloris!

It was a busy morning for me before I could really get excited for the show but once I got home from university, had a lush bath and got ready, the excitement surfaced. Mum and I went for dinner before the show like we had done before each of the other shows. I had pasta and she had steak and a sneaky bit cheesecake for dessert too! Mum had worn the top and boots I'd gotten her for her birthday which looked amazing on her but didn't feel too amazing whilst walking to the venue that's for sure! There was a massive queue when we got there, I was a little worried we would get seated in time but everything was fine, I even had time to buy a programme.

The show was AMAZING. From what I could tell, it was quite a small cast group. Each cast member played an instrument and incorporated their instruments into each scene as they played the music for the scene. There was everything from violins and saxophones to tambourines and shakers! They are a talented bunch! Alexandra sang incredibly to no surprise but the way she captured the character of Deloris was spot on. I never realised how good an actor Alexandra was because I've only known her from her singing career but she portrayed Deloris and her sassy personality perfectly. Alexandra was definitely a perfect choice for the role. She had the crowd laughing, cheering and singing along with every song. I would 110% go and see her in Sister Act again, I'd go again tonight if I could! There isn't a better person to portray Deloris Van Cartier in my opinion. She wasn't scared to embrace the 'over the top' personality, the diva attitude or the horrendously funny dance moves! Alexandra's singing was outstanding, the singing coming from the audience... not so much. Everyone was having such a wonderful evening, even my mum was attempting to sing along!

Sister Act is touring all around the UK and if you can get your hands on some tickets I would more than recommend doing so! The performance was well worth the money. Craig Revel Horwood has produced and choreographed a fantastic show. I would attend every night the performance shows in Glasgow if I could! Of all the shows and musicals I have seen, this one is definitely in my top 3. 

My mum knows how much I love Sister Act and she must have noticed the constant smile on my face throughout the entire performance because she surprised me with a Sister Act T-Shirt afterwards and told me she'd ordered the soundtrack online as well! No doubt she'll regret that decision after a week of me playing the soundtrack but in that moment she could not have made me any happier! I'm so glad she enjoyed her night, she definitely needed it. It was nice to see her laughing and joining in with the songs, it was even better to see her smile as much as she did.

Going to performances with my mum is one of my favourite things to do and I cannot wait for the next one. It makes us both so happy. Surprisingly we haven't booked anymore just yet but no doubt that'll change shortly going by our track record. There is another ballet coming to Glasgow in January and The Woman in Black is also coming back, I reckon it would take a lot of convincing for her go and see those with me but fingers crossed!

xxx 

My Current Winter Favourites

October, November and December are my favourite months of the year. I hate the cold but I love Autumn and Winter months, as long as I have a good number of layers on that is! October and November had me attending quite a number of events, four of which I am including in my favourites. Firstly, at the end of October with my fellow St Andrew's volunteers, I attended a two day conference. Now a conference doesn't sound fun at all but when most of the people there are great friends and there is a three course meal and a ceilidh at night, it instantly becomes a whole lot better. I didn't actually get any pictures from this night because there was far to much social dancing to be had but it was an amazing couple of days and I got to spend it with some of the best people.

The second event is also another St Andrew's event - the St Andrew's First Aid Awards. I absolutely love this event because it allows my fellow volunteers to be rewarded and recognized for their contributions and sometimes even their heroics. Each year this event makes me increasingly prouder to be a volunteer with the company. This year everyone looked absolutely stunning, everybody had a great time and a pizza was even ordered at 3.30am!

The third and fourth events are actually musicals. I have never really been that interested in musicals and only liked a couple when I was younger. That was, until two of my favourite films were made into musicals. My mum and I attended Legally Blonde at the Kings Theatre in Glasgow at the end of October and then Sister Act at a more local theatre during the first week in November. Both productions were incredible and both my mum and I absolutely loved them. I would definitely see both of these shows again without any hesitation! The next musicals to tick off the list are definitely Matilda, Shrek and Elf - even if it is just me watching them on DVD or YouTube!

The last couple of favourites of mine are a little random. The first is poncho's. These used to be so fashionable when I was about 8 or 9 years old and I loved them, I still love them which is a good thing because they are back in fashion. For someone who is always cold, this is the best thing ever because you can layer as many clothes as you want with a poncho. I have three for the moment - a grey one, a cream & aztec one and a fawn coloured one - so I think I am covered for this winter at least. I have also been absolutely loving baths lately. Using a lush bath bomb and relaxing in a nice hot bath after a long day has been a definite lifesaver, especially when it is now so cold outside. Whilst in the bath, what better to do than watch some episodes of a favourite show? I have recently discovered a new show - Dance Moms. It is AMAZING. If you have a guilty pleasure for reality TV or for shows like Toddlers and Tiaras then you will absolutely love it but be warned because it is extremely addicting. Another show I have been watching even more than usual recently (if that's even possible) is Law and Order SVU. I really didn't think I could watch it any more than I usually do but somehow it's happened and I've managed to finally convince my friend Laura to watch it too (bonus!).

My last favourite is one of (in my opinion) the best YouTubers - The SacconeJoly's. I love this family and I genuinely feel like I know them and have done for years. Everyday I watch them and everyday they add a little bit more happiness to my day. Being able to watch Emilia and Eduardo grow up and learn new things every day is incredible and makes me want kids even more.

So that's what I've been loving recently, thanks for reading. Before I forget, today in my advent calendar I got a little shelf, a stack of books, a little doll and a football to put on the shelves! Come back tomorrow for day 3 of blogmas!

xxx