Sunshine on Leith

‘Sunshine on Leith’ was written by Stephen Greenhorn and features the music of twin brothers Craig and Charlie Reid otherwise known as ‘The Proclaimers.’  It was originally developed by the Dundee Rep Theatre before being made into a feature film.  It tells the story of two squaddies, Davy Henshaw (Sam Taylor) and Ally Boyd (Oliver Ward) who are currently serving in the army in Afghanistan, their adjustment to civilian life and their romantic relationships on returning home to hearth and family.

From the moment I entered the theatre, I was warmly greeted by the President of the Society, the lovely Betty Teanby, and directed to the stage where a ‘live’ bar staffed by cast members was serving drinks.

I loved the opening scene featuring the ensemble, dressed in combat gear nervously clutching weapons as they paced and stomped around the stage while singing the emotionally charged ‘Sky Takes the Soul.’  We quickly realise the precarious position these soldiers are in as they ruefully sing ‘it could be tomorrow it could be today’ when their lives could be brutally cut short.  The sound and helicopter special effects used were very atmospheric.   

The boys are discharged from active duty and ruminate over how Edinburgh has changed ‘I’m on My Way’ a lovely scene with the boys watching on the platform above as the ensemble in various costumes (including Jamie Savage on guitar as a busker, a lollipop lady, a hen party, joggers and even someone on a scooter.)  Davy returns to his home and his mum Jean (Jane Shelley), dad Rab (Ian Stewart) and his sister Liz (Hannah Harris) Ally is reunited with his girlfriend Davy’s sister Liz who is a nurse at the local hospital.

I particularly liked the way that the scene changes were performed using two halves of the stage featuring some of the ensemble singing so everything was slick and pacey.  After an emotional reunion, Liz goes to work and meets up with her friend and fellow nurse Yvonne (Megan Huntley.)  Liz sets Yvonne up on a blind date with Davy and they meet up at the Canny Man’s Pub.  I really liked the way the pub was used with the name being changed to reflect the location.  I loved Jamie Savage who was acting as the narrator and publican singing a hilarious song about embarrassing situations following too much drinking.  Yvonne and Davy get together with a beautiful duet ‘Misty Blue’ even though Yvonne is English!

We then get a story twist, Rab who works as security guard at a supermarket, gets an unexpected bombshell a visit from a young woman Eilidh Clark (a delightful Charlie Taylor) who claims to be his daughter from an affair 27 years ago. Following her mother’s death from cancer she has discovered a letter and a photo which has led her to find her father. 

One of the funniest scenes is at ABACUS Insurance services call centre, where the boys try to learn a script to read over the telephone where they are encouraged lose their accents. The hopeful candidates sing ‘flatten the vowels’ and ‘Throw the R Away’ much to the despair of the bossy Training Instructor (Donnamarie Stamp). 

Rab and Jean are also celebrating their 30th wedding anniversary and a party is being organised in their honour and while Jean is looking for a new outfit for the occasion, Rab has made plans to meet his newfound daughter at a café.  Ally has plans of his own as he is going to ask his long-term girlfriend Liz to marry him in a hilarious scene set against a football match with all the ensemble, clad in Hibs T shirts singing raucously ‘Let’s Get Married.’

But the course of true love doesn’t run smooth.  Liz rejects Ally, and a bar brawl breaks out.  Yvonne caught in the crossfire is horrified at seeing the violence still inherent in Davy and Jean discovers the letter in Rab’s pocket and is devastated at his infidelity.   Davy, Yvonne, Liz and Ally individually muse ‘I Hate my Love for You.’ As the curtain falls on the first act leaving relationships in tatters.

At the start of the second act, jean and Rab are not speaking and Rab is sleeping on the sofa and Liz and Ally are estranged.  Davy is trying to ring Yvonne who is refusing his phone calls.  The most powerful scene follows which is set in a pub where arguing couples, including Yvonne and Davy, perform a brilliantly choreographed piece whereby the various couples interchange and move around the chairs and tables like an emotionally charged game of musical chairs.  There is some hope however, as Yvonne and Davy tentatively hold hands at the end.  

Liz meanwhile has received a letter with a job offer from a Florida hospital and she hands in her notice.  Rab is pulling out all the stops to win Jean back and is going to prepare a special meal.  In a hilarious scene Rab goes to buy an Italian cookbook but when told the price is £27.00, he sardonically remarks that he could fly to Italy for that price!  Tragically on the way home Rab has a heart attack and is rushed to hospital a wake-up call that makes Jean rethink her actions and sing the beautifully haunting title song ‘Sunshine on Leith.’   Jean agrees to let Rab see his daughter Elidh, Yvonne and Davy are reunited but Liz and Ally's relationship is dissolved, with Liz accepting her new job abroad and a bitter Ally re-enlisting despite the dangers he knows he will face.

All the leads played their parts incredibly well and really embodied the characters.  Hannah Harris as Liz was wonderful as the girlfriend who wanted more than just a relationship.  You could feel her despair when faced with the choice to leave or stay particularly following her dad’s heart attack.  Megan Huntley was fantastic as the prickly English girl determined not to let her heart be broken again.  Both girls had incredible voices.  Sam Taylor as Davy was perfect as the bluff Scotsman unaccustomed to showing his true feelings but with a real love for his family and his best friend and brother in arms.  Oliver Ward as Ally was truly incredible, I totally believed his character ranging from a cheeky optimist sending up the trainer in the call centre, to his love for Liz then his resentment when she cruelly and publicly rejected his proposal.  You could feel his anger and bitterness when he spits ‘they wanted me’ as he tearfully tells Davy why he was going back to the army.

Ian Stewart was lovely as the gruff, stubborn Rab and his relationship with his wife Jean was very believable.  His serenade at the anniversary party was beautiful and his relationship with his new daughter was sweet and genuine.  Jane Shelley as Jean was perfect as the long-suffering wife. You could feel her sense of betrayal when she discovers Rab’s secret, then her true love for her husband as she sat holding his hand in the hospital her heart achingly song accompanied by the heart monitor beeps.

Special mention goes to the fantastic ensemble they lifted the play to another level with impeccable harmonies (musical director Emma Kerrison) their voices blending effortlessly and some delightful character cameos.  I loved Sally Roberts as Hazel trying to console Jean while a chorus of charwomen flung marigolds and dusters in time to the music (choreographer Adele Beaumont.)  Their vocals as they sang the penultimate number ‘Letter from America’ were beautifully moving with each member of the company totally immersed in the lyrics.  Especially poignant was the touching pas de deux featuring a young Jean (Olivia Nattriss) and Rab (Jasper Whitworth) dancing to the iconic ‘Sunshine on Leith.’

I was incredibly impressed with the set which was a simple two-level balcony ensuring that the characters could be seen and used to dramatic effect in ‘I Hate my Love for You’ and the scene with Davy and Ally when he was packing.  The family kitchen (Kim Bowler stage props) was also used well sliding effortlessly in and out and the attention to detail was good.  The pub was used very well throughout changing its name as appropriate.  I especially liked the realism of the hospital scenes. Props were realistic and appropriate to the scenes and theme of the show. Costumes some hired  (wardrobe mistress Yvonne Smith) were excellent and appropriate to the modern theme of the show reflecting the cosmopolitan people of Leith.  I especially loved the kilts at the end!  Lighting was used effectively I especially liked the use of lights in the lift scene.  Sound was excellent and the use microphones ensured every word of dialogue was heard.

The music provided by a live band was fantastic delivering the toe tapping musical numbers with great enthusiasm. Musical director Emma Kerrison must be immensely proud of her cast’s achievements especially getting to grips with the complex harmonies.  

Finally, the accents, each cast member was able to keep their Scottish accents throughout which was testament to their hard work and dedication and their dialect coach Loreto Murray Voice and some of the genuine Scottish cast members.

Well done to co-directors Vanessa Smith and Jayne Horner for creating a heart-warming tale of love and friendships, family life and forgiveness.  The final scene where the entire company sang along whole-heartedly to ‘500 miles’ was infectiously joyful showing what a true journey of love this production has been.   Congratulations to everyone on stage or behind the scenes involved in this wonderful show.

© NODA CIO.  All rights reserved 

© NODA CIO. All rights reserved.