I am a huge fan of Musicals... I always have been; and yet I still manage to find shows which are new to me. 'Sunshine On Leith' is one of those shows. I have never had enough courage perhaps to venture in to see this show before, knowing as I did that this is "just another juke-box musical" (my least favourite sub-genre), and that the music is taken from the oeuvre of Scottish band, The Proclaimers. My musical interests and loves are far more classical normally. However, one cannot avoid the inevitable for ever, and so with some trepidation, took my seat this evening at Todmorden's Hippodrome for my initiation. And once again - the same thing happened with 'Calendar Girls' - I am converted!
The story revolves around two Leith lads, David [Davy] (Rick Whyte), and Alistair [Ally] (Joe Marsden), who return to their hometown in the Edinburgh suburbs after being demobbed from the army and promising never to re-enlist. Of course they both find love almost immediately, in the forms of Davy's sister Liz (Lou Whyte), and English girl, Yvonne (Alexandra Townend). They both are finding it hard to readjust to life in an ever-changing city, and when Davy's parent's Jean and Robert [Rab] (Rachel Rogers and John Spooner), make life unintentionally more complicated for them, there seems to be only one recourse.... until....., well, that would be spoiling the plot and so I shall leave it there. Suffice to say that the show has many highs and lows, drama, pathos, and comedy in equal measure, and director, Justine Sutcliffe found the balance between all these dynamics with ease, and took the audience on a real and highly sympathetic emotional rollercoaster.
The production this evening utilised a simple, single set of three levels, which Sutcliffe made full and effective use of, whilst set items for each scene (and there were many!) were either flown in or brought in and out seamlessly by the cast. A large backdrop of Edinburgh and the firth as seen from Blackford Hill graced the rear and was omnipresent. We were never in any doubt where we were at any point, which is credit to the whole team. There was some very creative and lovely lighting effects used this evening too, whilst sound levels were optimal, and the band, under the direction of Helen Clarkson has never sounded better - they must all have been huge Proclaimers enthusiasts!
One of the problems with staging a show which utilises contemporary dress, is that sometimes, despite the clothing being popular and readily seen on any street in the country, it is somehow inappropriate to wear on stage for a variety of reasons. The main one being that sometimes - as was the case this evening - the ensemble / chorus upstage and outsparkle the principals in certain scenes.
The quality of the acting this evening was real and completely believable. I even found myself welling up during the second act! The singing - especially the ensemble chorus singing was glorious, and even though a couple of the principals didn't have the requisite singing voices, the style of music and their characterisations outweighed this slight impediment. It was such a shame that the society did not spend a little more time with the company's accents. Perhaps hiring a dialect coach would have been a good idea. The accents on stage this evening covered all areas of Scotland, a little of Ireland, and much of England too!
However, what was abundantly clear this evening was that this was a slick, competent, and highly enjoyable feel-good show, crafted with love and skill; and has managed to proselyte me completely.
Reviewer - Matthew Dougall
on - 19.4.23
on - 19.4.23
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