Theatre Review: Sunshine on Leith - King's Theatre, Glasgow ✭✭✭✭✭
Review by Sharman Prince
Sunshine on Leith peppers the songs of The Proclaimers throughout an
adroit, humourous and moving script by Stephen
Greenhorn which has been slightly updated since its premiere in
2007.
Following a tour of military duty overseas Davy and Ally return to their
hometown of Edinburgh and have to adapt to life as 'civvies' but, perhaps,
their most difficult struggle lies ahead - love. Life is not so simple for
their families either and they, too, must answer the
questions, 'How far would you go for those you care about?' and 'What
constitutes home?'
Director
James Brining stages the musical in an eclectic and thrilling way, keeping the
stage alive with movement, action and moments of physical theatre. Brining handles Greenhorn's finely tuned libretto with
a deft hand and perfectly tailors each scene with suitable care and
attention. The musicians are also brilliantly integrated and
Emily-Jane Boyle's illuminating choreography emerges seamlessly from the
action. Colin Richmond's design is surprisingly versatile and is refined
by some beautifully evocative lighting by Tim Mitchell.
For a
'jukebox' musical the songs by The Proclaimers are
incorporated so successfully that one forgets they were not written
especially for the stage. The variety of songs is also surprising and they
range from the majestically moving to the ebulliently joyous and, with the
script, serve to create one of the most dramatically and theatrically
successful musicals ('jukebox' or otherwise) of modern times. Kudos must
also be given to music arranger David Shrubsole, sound designer Richard
Brooker and musical director Toby Higgins who, jointly, service
the score eminently providing several spine-tingling moments.
Phil
McKee's Rab and Hilary Maclean as Jean handle
one of the most dramatic story-lines with skilled ease, masterfully creating a
meaningful relationship that movingly speaks to an audience.
Jocasta
Almgill's Yvonne and Neshla Caplan's Liz are executed with rounded precision, rising beyond mere
love interests and catalysing the denouement with their characters'
various choices.
The
ensemble is comprised of outstanding artists, some of whom augment
the brilliant band becoming actor/musicians led by a dynamic Tyler
Collins and John McLarnon.
As Ally Paul-James Corrigan crafts an adept
performance, formulating a character ultimately tortured by
frustration. Well known for his role in television's River City,
Corrigan here proves himself a versatile and engaging musical performer.
That
former Casualty actor Steven Miller is not a bigger name is
something of a puzzle: as Davy he is a sterling leading man with a
beautifully lyrical voice and deft physical prowess with a sincere acting style
absolutely in sync with the piece - something true of every performer onstage.
A splendid entertainment that provides
an uplifting force whilst simultaneously impressing a more sober
message of family and home, Sunshine on Leith is a superbly constructed modern musical
executed with sublime magnificence. One not to be missed!
Sunshine on Leith is at the King's Theatre until Saturday 23rd June. For tickets visit ATG Tickets