An invited audience lapped up a fabulous performance of Sister Act ahead of the official opening night at Earl Cameron Theatre.

The crowd relished every number and laugh in a sizzling show where Cindy Smith was outstanding in the lead role of Deloris Van Cartier. Who needs Whoopi Goldberg?

She commanded the stage although Gillian Henderson, as Mother Superior, and her vied at one point for the attention during some pulsating songs.

But that Lady Cindy can certainly nail a note.

She was also buzzing in a high-energy show where the entire cast received well earned applause.

The sets were slick and costumes top drawer. Prize for the night’s best outfit though went to Antione “Twon” Williams who wore the 1970s themed leather dress jacket in light tan with style and panache. He also earned a few belly laughs with his rapid fire quips in a dazzling display on the night as henchman TJ.

One young star destined for bigger things on stage and screen is teenager Kyla White who shone on an evening of top performances.

She plays the shy, young nun Sister Mary Robert who bursts out her shell in the show and there is a memorable moment where Kyla is presented with a giant pair of lurid pink, platform boots then steals a later scene with them to howls of laughter.

Kyla’s angelic looks and singing voice will take her far in the industry and at times she almost matched the magical Cindy, which is saying something.

The show itself is two hours of non-stop fun, song, laughter and left the audience with the feel good factor.

The story of Sister Act for those who are unaware of its delights, is that this is a musical based on a 1993 film of the same name following a lively lounge singer who, after witnessing a crime, is hidden in a convent under a new identity through witness protection.

Clashing with its strict traditions, she gradually revitalises the nuns’ choir into a heavenly sensation although this version for Bermuda audiences is set in the 1970s which fashion forgot with flared trousers, platform shoes and boots and disco music.

One of the biggest roars of laughter on the night was the “revealing” display in one scene by lovelorn cop nicknamed Sweaty Eddieplayed by Jimmy McNicholas as character Eddie Souther.

The audience loved him and no wonder. His charisma shone through and won him a small army of fans.

Mother Superior, played by Ms Henderson, was another top notch revelation on the night and earned warm applause.

But the undoubted star of the show was Ms Smith who delivered thunderous vocals with a flurry of laughs thrown in to mesmerise the audience throughout.

There has to be a special mention for the divine intervention of The Pope, who made an almost heavenly entrance alongside Stephen Notman as Monsignor O’Hara.

There are tickets left for the remaining shows and can be sought and bought at PTix.bm

It really would be a sin to miss this, pray there are still a few seats to be bought by the time you read this.