Get thee to a nunnery: Sister Act musical hits the West End

Nuns have become something of a West End habit in recent years, and Sister Act swings into the Palladium after the success of The Sound of Music Photograph: Joel Ryan/AP

The musical is based on the 1992 film starring Whoopi Goldberg as Deloris van Cartier, a singer who hides out at a convent after witnessing a murder Photograph: Yui Mok/PA

The show is produced by Goldberg, who is replaced in the lead role by Patina Miller Photograph: Richard Young/Rex Features

Sheila Hancock is the uptight Mother Superior (played in the film by Maggie Smith) who disapproves of the disco fever Deloris brings to the convent Photograph: Nils Jorgensen/Rex Features

Bruce Forsyth, who has a history of performing at the Palladium, arrives with his wife Wilnelia Merced Forsyth Photograph: Joel Ryan/AP

Cilla Black was among the stars who turned out praying for a good night at the Palladium Photograph: Joel Ryan/AP

West End star Sheridan Smith strikes the same pose Photograph: James Curley/Rex Features

Theatregoers got into the spirit by dressing as nuns Photograph: Joel Ryan/AP

But in his review, Michael Billington pooped the party, declaring the show a 'vulgarised incarnation' of a 'fairytale fantasy' but praising Patina Miller's 'raucous energy' Photograph: Richard Young/Rex Features

Sister Act is currently booking until 13 February 2010 Photograph: Nils Jorgensen/Rex Features