DISCO diva Deloris’ life takes a surprising turn when she witnesses a murder.

Placed under protective custody, she is hidden in the one place she shouldn’t be found — a convent!

Encouraged to help the struggling choir, she helps fellow sisters find their true voices as she unexpectedly recovers her own.

This show Sister Act may have been made more popular by its professional tour but, based on this Worcester Operatic and Dramatic Society (WODS) production at Swan Theatre, some might wonder why they would go elsewhere, such is the high standard of this talented company under the direction of Chris Hooper and musical director Lawrence Nicholas.

Diva Deloris is played superbly by Leila Thompson, both in her rich powerful voice throughout from Take Me To Heaven in scene one followed by I’m Fabulous Baby, brilliantly backed by Meghan Hill (Michelle) and Abbi Jakeman (Tina), and her gutsy and uplifting acting.

Having witnessed a murder by her mobster club owner boyfriend Curtis, well played by Andy Gilhooly, the situation comes to the attention of good guy cop Eddie Souther who always had a crush on Deloris.

Known as Sweaty Eddie, Jordan Buckingham played the role with sensitivity and excelled throughout, including in his number I Could Be That Guy.

Eddie arranges to hide Deloris in the convent, where an old-fashioned Mother Superior, brilliantly played by Wendy Holloway, struggled initially to cope with this new recruit, fearing the influence she might have on the sisters.

Her exchanges for guidance with God were often moving and, in her way, unintentionally amusing.

But in a stroke of genius she tasks Deloris to help with the choir.

Alongside Mother Superior we find Monsignor O’Hara, well played by Keith Snailham, a priest with an eye for fundraising, at one point sharing bad news that their church will be sold due to lack of support until fortunes change under the influence of Deloris.

With the arrival of the singing sisters, help is clearly needed and the influence of Deloris on the resulting singing, harmonies and energy is nothing short of uplifting.

The choreography by Rachel Price is again exceptional and reaches one of the high points at the conclusion of act one.

There were some excellent characterisations among the sisters — Mary Roberts (Rosie Bond), initially a quiet and shy postulant who sang The Life I Never Led with great feeling.

Mary Lazarus (Judy Hooper) — a rather grumpy, rigid music teacher who eventually discovers the joy of rap.

Mary Patrick (Laura Fullelove) — powerful voice, boisterous with endless happiness.

Mary Martin of Tours (Lynne Holloway) — ‘splendidly on another planet’.

Meanwhile, Curtis’ three gangster cronies — TJ (Ethan Cook), Joey (Rob Connor) and Pablo (Aadil Din) also excelled in their equally-slick routines, especially with Lady in the Long Black Dress led strongly by Connor.

The quality of the performers and well-controlled band were matched by the amazing costumes, clever scenery, sound and lighting so all in all one can understand why this is a sold-out production.

If you are lucky there might be an odd ticket returned to the box office on 01905 611427 so it might be wise to catch the ‘early bird’ offer for WODS’ next show Dirty Rotten Scoundrels, available from 15 October, to be staged at Swan Theatre in April 2025.