THE Colchester Operatic Society are back at the Mercury Theatre next week with their annual rip roaring musical production, which this year is Sister Act.

Following on from the huge success of Legally Blonde, which the society’s junior group put on at the Colchester theatre last September, the ‘grown-up’ troupe are putting on their own modern American musical treat.

Written by Cheri Steinkellner and Bill Steinkellner with additional book material by Douglas Carter Beane, lyrics by Glenn Slater and music by Alan Menken, the show is based on the hit 1992 film comedy of the same name which starred Whoopi Goldberg and Dame Maggie Smith.

It tells the story of Deloris Van Cartier, a wannabe diva whose life takes a surprising turn when she witnesses a crime and the police are forced to hide her in the last place anyone would think to look, a convent.

Under the suspicious watch of Mother Superior, Deloris helps her fellow sisters find their voices as she unexpectedly rediscovers her own.

Although the musical doesn’t feature the songs in the film it does include such joyful numbers as Take Me To Heaven, Raise Your Voice, Here Within These Walls and Sister Act.

Since opening in Pasadena, California in 2006, Sister Act has gone to be a worldwide hit playing in countries all over the world, including runs in the West End and on Broadway, where it picked up a number of Tony nominations.

• Sister Act, Mercury Theatre, Balkerne Gate, Colchester.

January 20 to 30. 7.30pm and 2.30pm (Saturdays).

£12.50 to £19.75. 01206 573948.

www.mercurytheatre.co.uk