For those who missed comedy musical Sister Act the first time around, your prayers have been answered as the show is returning to the county.

After a successful run in Dartford earlier this year, the tour - which stars Birds of a Feather’s Lesley Joseph - is coming back to Kent for another six nights in Canterbury.

The show, described as “marvellous” by our reviewer during its stint in Dartford, is based on the 1992 film starring Whoopi Goldberg and Dame Maggie Smith.

It follows disco diva Deloris, whose life is suddenly turned upside down when she witnesses a murder and is placed under protective custody in a convent.

To try and fit in, she joins the convent’s unconventional choir and gets to know her new sisters through song and dance.

This latest production stars Lesley Joseph, who appeared alongside Pauline Quirke and Linda Robson in TV sitcom Birds of a Feather from 1989 to 1998, and again in the revival from 2014 to 2020.

Lesley will play the role of Mother Superior in the stage show, while former Emmerdale actress Sandra Marvin will step into the shoes of Deloris Van Cartier.

“Mother Superior is quite strict and holy,” says the 77-year-old actor. “She provides the juxtaposition of strict religious beliefs against this entirely over-the-top being, which is Deloris Van Cartier. You need the two extremes to rub up against one another, and sparks fly.”

The show features an original score by Alan Menken, who is also known for his award-winning work on films such as Beauty and the Beast, Aladdin and Enchanted.

The score is heavily influenced by Motown, soul and disco and includes numbers such as Take Me to Heaven and Fabulous Baby.

“I think the soundtrack is amazing,” says Lesley. “I must say, the audience responses so far have made me feel like we’re doing a pop concert. The musical doesn’t have the music from the film, but it’s Alan Menken’s music - who is a genius.”

This latest production was also nominated in the 2023 Olivier Awards for Best Musical Revival, narrowly missing out to Rodgers and Hammerstein’s Oklahoma.

Sister Act will be at the Marlowe Theatre in Canterbury from Monday, June 12 to Saturday, June 17. Book tickets online here.

You can also book tickets by calling 01227 787787.