This article titled “Whoopi Goldberg gets back in the habit for theatre version of Sister Act” was written by Alexandra Topping, for The Guardian on Tuesday 10th August 2010 20.39 UTC

Old habits are hard to break, which is fortunate for Whoopi Goldberg, who gave her first performance in the West End version of Sister Act – 18 years after starring in the Hollywood film.

As dedicated fans of the film will be aware, this is a significant departure from her original performance, when she played the wayward Deloris – a trouble-making lounge singer – to Maggie Smith’s Mother Superior. Perhaps recognising that 18 years is a long time in showbusiness, Goldberg has abandoned her Martha and the Vandellas repertoire and will herself play Mother Superior.

Deloris, who is forced into hiding in a convent after witnessing a mafia-style execution, is played by Patina Miller, while Goldberg replaces Sheila Hancock, who has played Mother Superior since the show opened last year. Goldberg, who is also co-producer of the £7m musical, admitted being worried about making the role her own. “This Mother Superior is a grown-up and I have to find the grown-up in me,” she said.”There’s not very much adult in me. The most intriguing part is how not to imitate Sheila or Maggie. But I’m a different age and a different colour.”

She added: “There may be a little foolishness in my Mother Superior, but I’m not going to steal the stage. That’s the other thing to keep in my head – that I’m not Deloris.”

Despite a lifetime of performing, the actor admitted to being wracked with nerves before the show began. “Put it this way: I’m going to be wearing diapers,” she said.

guardian.co.uk © Guardian News & Media Limited 2010

Published via the Guardian News Feed plugin for WordPress.