Walking On Sunshine

Written and directed by Lydia Lee, Walking on Sunshine is the third and final play in her ‘Sunshine’ trilogy which consisted of ‘Good Day Sunshine’ in 2022 and ‘Let the Sunshine In’ in 2023.

The three plays chronicle the saga of Eleanor Rigby and Rory, a tale reminiscent of Romeo and Juliet, which culminates in the birth of their son, Richie. Richie is one of the 'sunshine children,' sent to Australia for adoption. The second play traces Rory's journey to America and Richie's quest to find his father. This narrative unfolds through radio interviews and flashbacks, ending with the revelation that Rory also has a daughter named Ruby. "Walking on Sunshine," the trilogy's final instalment, follows Ruby's quest to find her father. She uses unconventional methods while participating in a staff and student production of Macbeth.

Featuring a dynamic ensemble of fifteen talented actors, including Marie Foreman swinging as Ms. Silvester, the production highlighted the skills of its diverse cast across various age groups, delivering some lovely performances. The storytelling was blended with live musical performances from the cast with music provided by the band 'Laid Back.’ The audience were encouraged to sing along and were even provided with space to dance (which did end up being used) which put the audience at ease and added a nice touch to the show.

The cast performed admirably, especially the three young actors and were all able to skilfully handle verbose scenes and effortlessly switch accents. Some of my favourite moments came from Rob Hanlon, who played both the Waiter in the wine bar and the caretaker at the school. He masterfully balanced tender and emotional scenes with moments of sheer hilarity, particularly when wielding his duster. His exceptional rendition of "Walk On," reminiscent of Elvis at his best, was a highlight and if it were not for the hair on his head, one could easily picture Rob fitting into the band ‘Right Said Fred’ perfectly, duster in hand.

Other noteworthy moments included the three teachers, Stuart Faed, Andrew Knight, and Kenneth Combe, who delivered a humorous and entertaining rendition of Santana’s "Black Magic Woman." Angela Winson, with her Freddie Mercury moustache, took the audience by surprise with her wonderful performance of Queen’s "I Want to Break Free," which had the audience roaring with laughter. Lynne Owens, Jennie Dunn, and Tracey Bell transported everyone back to the days of "Bread" and "Lilo Lil" as three wonderful Liverpool housewives on the town. Tracey Bell stood out with a performance that was reminiscent of a dream sequence in the classic sitcom "Absolutely Fabulous," as she gave a wonderfully kooky rendition of "The Witch of New Orleans."

In summary, this play was a wonderful testament to creativity and community spirit. Performed in a small church hall, with a local band, local players, and a local writer, this production brought together a room full of people who, by the end of the show, were all up on their feet dancing and singing.

This delightful production of "Walking on Sunshine" was a heartwarming celebration of local talent, replete with humour, music, and memorable performances. It successfully united a community in joyous revelry, leaving the audience with lasting memories of togetherness and artistic excellence. Congratulations to everyone involved and thank you again for your warm welcome and a wonderful evening. 

© NODA CIO. All rights reserved.