Alexandra Burke...

will be joined in Sister Act by Joanna Francis, Jon Robyns, Karen Mann and Rosemary Ashe for the show's visit to Tyneside in June next year. Burke headlines as Deloris Van Cartier and Craig Revel Horwood is adding his skills as director and choreographer.

Former X Factor winner Burke is currently starring as Rachel Marron in the national tour of The Bodyguard, a part she also played in the West End and Newcastle. Joanna Francis joins the cast as Michelle, Jon Robyns will be Eddie with Karen Mann as Mother Superior and Rosemary Ashe as Sister Mary Lazarus.

Based on the hit movie starring Whoopi Goldberg and Maggie Smith, Sister Act tells the hilarious story of Deloris Van Cartier, a disco diva whose life takes a surprising turn when she witnesses a murder. Under protective custody and disguised as a nun Deloris helps her fellow sisters find their voices as she unexpectedly rediscovers her own.

Burke will perform the role of Deloris at all evening performances. Joanna Francis takes over the role at the matinees.

Francis has recently finished performing in the West End production of The Lion King. Her other credits include Carmen Jones at the Royal Festival Hall, The Harder They Come at the Barbican and Stratford East and as Sybil in The Big Life at the Apollo Theatre.

Famed BBC Strictly Come Dancing judge Craig Revel Horwood was most recently seen at Newcastle Theatre Royal as Miss Hannigan in the national tour of Annie. Sister Act has music by the eight-time Oscar and Tony Award winner Alan Menken, lyrics by Glenn Slater, with a book by Cheri Steinkellner and Bill Steinkellner and additional book material by Douglas Carter Beane.

* Sister Act plays at Newcastle Theatre Royal from Monday, June 19 to Saturday, June 24,e 2017. Tickets are from £19.50. Box Office: theatreroyal.co.uk or 08448-112121 (calls cost 7ppm plus your phone company’s access charge).