Sunshine on Leith

This was an entertaining show, a series of portrayals of human relationships interwoven with songs by The Proclaimers, twins Charlie and Craig Reid, and their distinctive musical style was very evident.  Topical, in that two soldiers, Davy (Iain Campbell McFadyen) and Ally (William Hart) return from war in Afghanistan to Leith, and Ally announces he’s going out with Davy’s sister Liz (Shannon Whitehead).  Liz introduces Davy to her workmate Yvonne (Lynne Seagrave) and that’s romance #2.  Dad Rab (Allan Ayre) and Mum Jean (Linda Lupton) are about to celebrate their 25th wedding anniversary when an unknown daughter of Rab’s turns up and causes disharmony.  The three relationships were well portrayed in their tenderness and the stresses that most relationships suffer from, arguments, break-ups, illness when Rab is hospitalised due to a heart attack, separation as Liz goes abroad (I’m gonna be .... 500 miles) and Ally re-enlists, reconciliation as Yvonne is persuaded not to return home to England, all recognised and experienced by most of us one way or another.  The chorus played its part, enhancing the storyline and joining in some of the nearly twenty songs with the underlying harmonies so well known over the years from radio and TV, then the evening finished with most of the audience on their feet, clapping and swaying to the music.  A feelgood evening all round.

© NODA CIO. All rights reserved.