Hollywood heavyweight Whoopi Goldberg is headed for the West End with a stage version of her Nineties hit film Sister Act.

The Oscar-winning actress will face her fear of flying by coming to London to produce the show, which is due to open at the Palladium in June next year.

Despite leaving a lasting impression as Deloris Van Cartier in the 1992 blockbuster, Goldberg will remain behind the scenes for the West End version. The 53-year-old has already begun her search for an actress to play the Reno lounge singer who ends up masquerading as a nun after she witnesses a murder.

Speaking of her plans, Goldberg said she hoped audiences would accept the new Deloris. “If you loved Sister Act, come and see it in its new form. Do not cry for me that I'm not there because I'm too old.”

The musical will feature a score by Alan Menken, the Oscar-winning composer of songs from Disney films The Little Mermaid, Beauty And The Beast, Aladdin, and Enchanted. His long-time collaborator Glenn Slater will write the lyrics.

The stage version of Sister Act has already been tested out on American audiences, with the musical opening for a season in California in 2006.

Goldberg will be hoping the trans-Atlantic transfer will be as successful as that of Billy Elliot: The Musical which opened in the US this week. A hit in London, the show had It’s Broadway premiere this week garnered critical praise and predictions of Tony Award success.

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