Sunshine on Leith

And I would walk 500 miles and I would walk 500 hundred more, just to be that that girl that saw Stoke Youth smash another performance out the door! Well, it sort of scans and I couldn’t resist the pun as it was another excellent, high-quality production from Stoke Youth. I didn’t know much about this particular musical, having never seen it. The story of Davy and Ally who return to their hometown of Leith having completed a tour of duty in Afghanistan and find reintegrating into civilian life tricky but find the bonds of community are waiting to both welcome and challenge. Stoke Youth seem to have the knack of tackling scenarios and emotional intensity with a maturity that belies their youth and this was no exception.

The production quality was excellent across the board and the skill of the director, musical director and choreographer very much in evidence in every stage of the execution. This was a very well-rehearsed cast who were clearly having a very good time. One thing to note overall is the quality of the accents – not only were the Scottish accents flawless but the Northern Irish accent was clear in its contrast with no hint of “generic celtic” anywhere to be found.

There was no sign of any tech gremlins fortunately, with all sound and lighting running without issue. As always in the Rep, the band are not seen but their skills are very much heard and appreciated. And a nice addition this time was Oliver Degg as a busker in many different guises, adding the tones of a live acoustic guitar at several points across the evening.

The set was well designed to portray many different scenes and locations across the course of the action and the set changes were swift and slick. Props were all appropriate and well handled and costume, whilst maybe not too challenging for the most part, was well executed.

The performances were on a par with what I am coming to expect from Stoke Youth, the quality was extremely high across the board.

Our returning soldiers, Ally and Davy (Anna Pye & Devon Nixon) quickly reunite with their childhood sweethearts Liz and Yvonne (Jess Wilbraham & Scarlett Bennett). Our four actors gave us fantastic performances from the struggles to adjust to civvy street after the army to the struggles of trying to recapture past relationships and reinsert yourself into a life you once lived but that has now moved on without you. The maturity displayed by all four of these actors meant that these themes were absolutely given the deft touch required and you absolutely forgot these were youth actors. It will be amazing to see what paths these young actors take as they show exceptional promise.

Talking of maturity in the performance, Rory Simpson and Maia Holmes as Rab and Jean gave us a superb performance as the seemingly solid working-class couple who have to survive the exposure of a bombshell - Rab has a long-lost daughter, Eilidh (Reeve Syverson) who seeks him out after her mother’s death, Rab having had an affair many years previously. These distinctly adult themes were handled with a perfect touch by all three actors but a special mention to Rory and Maia in their emotionally charged scenes. Again, if acting is what they chose to do with their future, the profession will be richer for it.

The rest of the company and ensemble gave professional and energised performances at all points and it should be noted that the vocal quality from every single performer was extremely high with absolutely no weak links. Timing was great with no dips or lags and the audience were hooked on every minute.

This was a performance to be extremely proud of though it seems for Stoke Youth that this level is just another show week! Well done to everyone concerned, a night out at SY is fast becoming one of my faves and I can’t wait for the next time. Thank you so much for the invitation and for the kind hospitality on the night.

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