The Stage

Sunshine On Leith

Published Tuesday 1 May 2007 at 11:25 by Peter Cargill

Timing, they say, is everything. When the powers that be embarked on a new project featuring the music of the Proclaimers, little did they know that the Fife twins would be topping the charts - albeit with a little help from Comic Relief.

Stephen Greenhorn has neatly intertwined the music and the story - a la Mamma Mia - about two Edinburgh soldiers returning from the war in Afghanistan to their home in Leith.

With 15 in the cast (two West Ends come together here with members of the Dundee ensemble fortified by others with London credentials) and a fabulous nine-piece band under the direction of Hilary Brooks, it is patently obvious that money has not been spared.

James Brining’s production is as slick as anything seen on the Dundee stage. Countless settings by designer Neil Warmington are seamlessly changed by the cast and the action sprints along at breathtaking speed. Two hours and 50 minutes has never passed so quickly.

The script at times owes more to the humour of the Dundee-based Dandy and Beano rather than the literati of Leith, but never mind, it is an evening of sheer joy that has everyone departing with a smile.

Keith Fleming and Kevin Lennon, who play the boys back on civvy street, give full justice to the music, as do on-off girlfriends Emily Winter and Gail Watson.

Regulars John Buick and Ann Louise Ross prove a great double act as parents Rab and Jean, but essentially, it is a huge team effort and under choreographer Lizzi Gee, they work their socks off.