Sunshine on Leith

n this exceptional production, under the direction of Victoria Cowan, Stephen Greenhorn’s characters were brought vibrantly to life on Susan J Begg’s multi-level set with a backdrop of the Edinburgh/Leith skyline. Matthew Rose brought out the very best in the music of The Proclaimers with excellent singing from everyone on stage and magnificent harmonies in the ensemble numbers from the opening “Sky Takes the Soul” through “Hate My Love For You” to the closing rousing “500 Miles” and “Life With You”. Leading the cast as recently demobbed soldiers Davy and Ally were Kenneth Lypka and Callum Anderson respectively. Both young men had excellent acting and singing abilities - you really felt their anguishes as they adjusted to life in civvy street. They were equally matched in the singing and acting stakes by their love interests nurses Yvonne and Liz played by Sarah Dawson and Laura Burnett as they too wrestled with their daily lives. I particularly liked the duets “Misty Blue” by Davy and Yvonne and “Make My Heart Fly” by Ally and Liz. Another excellent – and extremely believable – pairing were Craig Pike and Rhonda Scott as Rab and Jean Henshaw, Davy and Liz’s parents, approaching their 30th wedding anniversary and reflecting on the ups and downs they had faced. Craig’s rendition of his acclamation of love for Jean “Oh Jean” at the anniversary do was a delight. Rhonda’s rendition of the title song “Sunshine on Leith” as she sat by Rab’s hospital bedside after his heart attack was heart-rending and you could have heard a pin drop in the auditorium. Strong support was given by Bethany Hogg (Eilidh, Rab’s illegitimate daughter), Gavin McKay (Barman), Emmah Chibesakunda (Waitress/Wedding Singer), Jordan Lee (Busker), Lynsey Craddock (Hazel) and Kirtsten Knight (Call Centre Trainer). Among the other highlights for me were the ensemble’s renditions of the humorous numbers “Throw the R Away” set in the call centre and “Should Have Been Loved” set in the Scottish Parliament building. The company movement in the ensemble numbers was perfectly executed from the well drilled manoeuvres in opening “Sky Takes The Soul” to the foot-stomping finale. The 8 piece band handled the various styles of music throughout the piece with consummate ease. Congratulations on a superb show fully deserving of the standing ovation from the over 1250 members of the full house audience.

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