Goldberg to make 'Sister Act' stage debut

Whoopi Goldberg is getting back into the 'Sister Act' habit in her West End stage debut – but this time she will play stern Mother Superior.

The Hollywood star portrayed Deloris Van Cartier, a wayward, sassy lounge singer who goes into hiding as a nun after witnessing a mob crime, in the original movie version of the story.

The tale has been turned into a smash hit London musical with Goldberg as a producer.

The 54-year-old actress will step into the role for 23 shows at the London Palladium, starting on August 10.

Goldberg will take the baton from former 'Over the Rainbow' judge Sheila Hancock, who has been playing Mother Superior since the show opened in May last year.

Other regular cast members include US actress Patina Miller in the lead role of Deloris, pop star Simon Webbe as Curtis Shank and former 'Dad’s Army' actor Ian Lavender as Monsignor.

Bill Taylor, CEO of producers Stage Entertainment UK, said: “To say the 'Sister Act' family is excited might be something of an understatement!

“This is also a chance to say a goodbye to the indomitable, multi-talented and unspeakably wonderful Sheila Hancock, who has been a mother figure both on and off stage.

“I can never thank her enough for her part in making the show the success it is today.”

Goldberg has previously starred on Broadway, most recently in Xanadu.

She scooped a best supporting actress Oscar for tear-jerking Patrick Swayze movie 'Ghost' and stands among an elite 'EGOT' group to have won an Emmy, a Grammy, an Oscar and a Tony award.

Her most recent work includes US talk show 'The View'.

The success of the London show has sparked productions around the globe.

A German version of the Sister Act musical will open in Hamburg in December, followed by Broadway next spring and international productions in Australia, Mexico, Japan, South Korea, Italy, France and Spain.