Finlay Bain and Callum Marshall in Sunshine on Leith at the Pitlochry Festival Theatre. Picture: Fraser Band
Sunshine On Leith continues at the Pitlochry Festival Theatre until 23 December 2023.
Star rating: five stars ★ ★ ★ ★ ★
Fresh, funny and fabulous.
This is far more than a reprise of the already successful production from last year. New cast, new staging, new elements to both script and score; here is a Sunshine On Leith that’s even more contemporary, succinct and perfectly paced.
Inventively using musician-actor combinations, Elizabeth Newman’s direction and Stephen Greenhorn’s writing (together with songs from The Proclaimers) combine beautifully to create a cracker of a show with pace that sweeps the audience along.
The returning soldiers, Ally and Davy (Finlay Bain and Robbie Scott) work together so well in both the ‘buddy’ stage of their relationship and how it falls away into an awkward distance. Their voices are fine and clear, spot on for their songs and the spoken word. Both play guitar from time to time throughout the show to great effect. Smashing performances from both.
Their love interests are Fiona Wood (as Liz) and Sinead Kenny (Yvonne). Liz’s longing for adventure runs through her performance, but with the lightest of touches, leading to ‘Letter From America’ – heartfelt and simple to begin with, building into a rousing ensemble number as the ‘no more’ choruses are ‘batted’ back and forth between the male and female voices. This is a strong yet sensitive performance.
Yvonne, on the other hand, feels herself rooted in Edinburgh and suggests that only an urgent incident would lure her back to England. Her voice has a beautiful tone and purity, particularly in the upper register, seducing the audience to love her as much as Ally does. Ally’s love of family clearly appeals to her; the shock when she sees another side to Ally at his parents’ anniversary party all but sends her away…
The parents (Alyson Orr and Keith Macpherson) are at a crossroads in their relationship, just as they are marking 30 years of marriage. Jean’s distress at finding out her beloved Rab has discovered he has a daughter from another woman is palpable. To say the evening ends badly is rather an understatement.
Jean is seen at her workplace – cleaning in the Scottish Parliament – being comforted and encouraged by her workmates in ‘Should Have Been Loved’. This scene has a bit more wit and edge to it than previously, thanks to some new lines from Greenhorn and the new setting.
Meanwhile, Rab is desperate to win Jean’s forgiveness and splashes out on ingredients for a special meal for her. On the way home, he collapses, shifting the plot into a living ‘what if’ scenario. At his hospital bed, Jean realises how much Rab and their strength together mean. In ‘Sunshine on Leith, Orr’s singing is spellbinding. She changes the atmosphere with her heartfelt pleas and this leads to a wonderful moment of suspended action and stillness that is very moving to be part of.
Rab clearly sees where he should have done better and advises his son to do all he can to keep his Yvonne with him. Macpherson’s Rab is a finely drawn character – the awkward quietish soul that oddly finds silence intimidating is performed perfectly.
As the show builds to the finale – ‘500 Miles’ (what else?) – the loose ends are drawn together to round off one of the best afternoons of theatre you could ask for. Superb!
Fiona Orr
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