Sunshine On Leith

Another warm welcome to The Royal Theatre, with what better ‘feel good' production than Sunshine on Leith. A massive contrast from last year’s Chess, but equally impressive.

The staging was well thought out, making the production slick while engaging the iconic, atmospheric projected backdrops of Edinburgh. The show ran seamlessly throughout owing great credit to the technical direction and stage team. Careful consideration was always given to the choreography whether moving a small scene or the whole cast. Six well seasoned musicians were the perfect band to support throughout the show. Excellently balanced and never overpowering under the baton of their keyboard player, who kept the score and singers controlled and harmonically tuneful.

The powerful and dramatic opening scene was a prelude to the introduction of two strong, youthful male performers Peter Whitelaw as ‘Davy’ and Owen Kennedy as ‘Ally’. Both lads had great rapport with each other as best mates and coped really well with all the harmonic singing throughout the show. Both respective girlfriends, Maeve Reekie as ‘Yvonne’ and Erin Aitchison as ‘Liz’ were superbly cast and played their roles brilliantly, both showing expertise in their vocal range. Davy and Yvonne’s harmonic duets, ‘Misty Blue’ and ‘Then I Met You’ were really well balanced and they both blended perfectly with Ally and Liz for a show stopping ‘Make My Heart Fly’. Liz also shone in ‘What Do you Do?’ and ‘Letter From America’. DMTC are certainly lucky to have four such strong young performers. Well done!

As strong women go, there could not have been a better person to inhabit the role of Jean. Sharron Harper made the role her own, finding the drama and the comedy in her character and certainly had the vocals to smash the hit song ‘Sunshine on Leith’, supported by a sympathetic choral backing group. ‘Hate My Love For You’ was powerfully and emotionally delivered to great applause. Roy Stairmand fitted perfectly into the role of Rab. He embodied the canny, henpecked husband who really had a heart of gold, albeit a weak one. He and the boys sang a convincing trio to open Act 2 and he delivered a very engaging performance with ‘Eilidh’, which was very convincingly played by Caitlin Wallace.

‘Should Have Been Loved’ was excellently sung by Rhona Davidson as ‘Hazel’, who was supported by hilarious harmonic backing singers. Cameo roles ‘Busker’, Ren Forteath and ‘Wedding Singer’, Lara Anderson were well cast and sung their solos perfectly. It was very evident that the company thoroughly enjoyed the busy choreography and the fabulous choruses. Everyone exuded the energy of the numbers and individually played their own particular character on stage.

The reprises of ‘I’m On my Way’ and ‘500 Miles’ had the audience singing along to a really heartwarming finale. You all certainly brought sunshine to Dumfries with this well loved show.

That’s what I would call a ‘thoroughly entertaining evening’. Thank you again DMTC for the wonderful welcome and hospitality.

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