WE ALL know Craig Revel Horwood from his pithy, poisonous putdowns on ‘Strictly’.

But as the Archbishop of Creatives behind the current revival of the musical Sister Act, Revel Horwood has found his natural habit-at as a disco diva.

The director and choreographer of the show was in the first-night audience of the UK tour’s week-long run at the Bristol Hippodrome – singing along with every chorus and mirroring as many of the dance moves as the constraints of his theatre seat would allow.

He was not alone. This audience was in the mood for a full-on ecclesiastical conversion and stood as one for the joyous, glitterball finale.

Sister Act proves that feeling good is habit forming and it is blessed with a spectacular star turn from Alexandra Burke as the sassy Deloris Van Cartier, who is placed in a nunnery on witness protection having seen a gangland killing.

From the moment years ago when Burke stood toe to toe with Beyoncé in one of those X Factor duets we knew she had a world class voice. In this show she also delivers the sinewy dance moves as well as comic one-liners with the timing of a stand-up.

While the original Hollywood film played safe with covers of solid gold classics, the theatre version has original music and lyrics by Alan Menken and Glenn Slater and while it perhaps lacks a church-filling show stopper there is enough for Burke and the talented cast to get their teeth into with the likes of Fabulous Baby! and Take Me To Heaven.

When Burke transforms the caterwauling nun’s choir into a seminary of soul sisters in Raise Your Voice – "lay some pious on me, girls" – that's another obvious highlight.

And Jon Robyns, who I’ve seen as a fine Enjolras in Les Mis, showed his versatility and range in Eddie’s showcase turn I Could Be That Guy.

Karen Mann, as the curmudgeonly Mother Superior who is won over in the end by Burke’s enthusiasm, delivers some of the best lines in the show with aplomb and Sandy Grigelis wrings plenty of comedy out of TJ as well as being a fine vocalist.

Meanwhile, the ensemble don’t just add to the vitality of the affair with their singing and dancing but, in what is becoming a Revel Horwood trademark, have to play musical instruments live too.

Take a hint and revel in some Hallelujah moments at the Hippodrome. That’s a holy order.

Sister Act runs at The Bristol Hippodrome until Saturday, September 24. Tickets: 0844 871 3012.