Review of Sunshine on Leith at Dundee Rep

Sep 10 2010 by Alison Anderson, Perthshire Advertiser Friday

IT was a fantastic show first and second times around, and now Stephen Greenhorn’s musical written around and featuring the songs of The Proclaimers is back on the Scottish stage, and just as good as before.

This fast-moving, enjoyable and uplifting show under director James Brining has undergone radical re-casting and it was a real coup for the Rep to secure Lord of the Rings actor Billy Boyd in the key role of Davy – the squaddie whose return to civvy life alongside is far from plain sailing.

Boyd is one of the 15-strong cast who, with an excellent nine-piece live band under the musical direction of Hilary Brooks, bring to life 21 Proclaimers’ songs.

Probably better known for his big screen appearances, Boyd cuts a striking presence on stage with natural fluidity and is a very accomplished singer indeed.

There is, however, one slight niggle: the character of Davy is pitched at being under 30 (in the musical Davy’s parents are celebrating their 30th wedding anniversary), and while Boyd is a youthful 42-year-old, the arithmetic doesn’t quite add up – but this certainly does not detract from the enjoyment of the show.

The storyline of Sunshine on Leith is on the surface quite simple – it is Greenhorn’s perception of family life and the Scottish male’s psyche which add interesting and absorbing layers.

Three very different love stories are intertwined, with happy endings for some, heartache for others, creating overall a funny, poignant and hugely entertaining show, which won the highly-prestigious TMA Best Musical Award 2007.

Alongside Billy Boyd, the other outstanding performance was from Rep Ensemble stalwart John Buick, as Davy’s dad Rab. Michael Moreland (Ally) and Jo Freer (Liz) also impressed.

The staging is slick right from the opening scene which sets Davy, Ally and their comrades-in-arms in action in Iraq, and then, in a blink of an eye, they are civvies in Waverley Station, looking forward to meeting friends and family.

Brilliant arrangements of Proclaimers’ songs and excellent choreography contribute to the overall enjoyment of Sunshine on Leith, although the preview show on which this review is based could have done with the amplification turned down a notch or two.

The other notable feature of this preview show was the indisposition through illness of Ann Louise Ross. The place of this fine actress was very ably filled by Anne Smith, whose performance as Jean could not be faulted.

Sunshine on Leith continues at Dundee Rep until September 18 then tours to Inverness; Kings Theatre, Glasgow, Belfast; Festival Theatre, Edinburgh; His Majesty's Theatre, Aberdeen; and five venues in England.

Alison Anderson