Sunshine on Leith

Take a musical with the current popularity of Sunshine on Leith, and you might be forgiven for thinking “not another Sunshine on Leith”.   However, in MAOS’ production this week, we very quickly came to realise that this was anything but “another Sunshine on Leith”!

The cast of nearly forty, immediately engaged with the audience, bringing welcome novelties to this production.

Newly demobbed Davy (Alastair More) and Ally (Michael McLean) are keen to settle back into civilian life with Ally renewing relationships with Liz (Brogan Orkney), Davy’s sister, while Ally is soon to meet Yvonne (Nicola Brown). It was a pleasure to see these parts performed to such a high standard in all aspects of production.  Each portrayed their own strong individualistic character and maintained this throughout.  Davy’s parents, Rab (Iain Hughes) and Jean (Michelle McLean), like the four youngsters previously mentioned are very powerful characters in their own right – and likeable to the end.

Musical Direction in this performance of Sunshine on Leith was never likely to be anything but excellent, given that it was in the very safe hands of Peter Robinson.   Artistically, the whole show flowed well, thanks to some very sympathetic direction from Nigel Orkney.   The use of a full video wall, with well-chosen photography and videography added tremendously to the vibrancy of the set, which, although minimal, gave no doubt as to the location of each and every scene.  The lack of intrusive scenic elements also gave adequate space for Kay Dickson’s inventive choreography (including an Eightsome Reel!).  It was noticeable that either due to Kay’s good tutoring or very proficient dancers (or probably a mixture of both!) that cast members never appeared to watch their feet in any of the numbers! Well done!

Technically, lighting was well designed and proved how well you can still light an actor close to a video wall, without spoiling any of the images being projected.  Sound, too, was excellent. Dialogue and singing was always crisp and clear and in perfect balance with the band.

Many thanks for the invite to Leith, and the traditional MAOS hospitality!  Congratulations on five sell-out performances!

Well done MAOS – roll on next year!

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