Sing Street at Lyric Hammersmith Review
Photo by Manuel Harlan
Written by Sarah for Theatre & Tonic
Disclaimer: Gifted tickets in exchange for an honest review
Sing Street is set against the economic depression and political instability of Dublin in the early 1980s, but it oozes glam rock guitar rebellion and synth-driven style that serenades the fearlessness of youth. Adapted from the 2016 film, this original stage adaptation by Enda Walsh finally debuts in London after plans for a Broadway opening were derailed by the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020.
16‑year‑old Conor Lalor (played by Sheridan Townsley) is forced to change schools due to the family's financial struggles, where he inadvertently starts a band to impress a girl, Raphina (Grace Collender). Conor’s parents are fighting, his brother spends all day smoking pot, and the worst school bullies are the priests in charge at this new, rough and rigid catholic school.
The show opens with a Top of the Pops number that immediately summons the neon, escapist, fun, freeing feeling. This is what the young band immerses themselves in to find self-expression, joy, and connections to each other through music. These are “Irish boys raised on Guinness and glue, nursing dreams that will never come true.” The band and the music become their lifeline.
Bob Crowley’s design feels immersive but is simple and uncluttered. He creates a powerful sense of time and place by simply projecting 1980s wallpaper onto the 3 sides of the backdrop. Period furniture and set pieces are all on castors, so transitions between scenes are well choreographed and integrated. Sound and light (Gareth Owen and Natasha Katz) have been well curated to host both an intimate moment in a public phone box and a pop video.
Sheridan Townsley as Connor is confident, cheeky, galvanising yet vulnerable with undeniable star quality. It’s almost impossible to believe it’s Townsley’s professional debut, such is his command. Rarely can an actor be equally believable as a Dublin school boy and a rock star. Towards the end of the show, it begins to have a bit of an X Factor feel as the band grow and thrives; there is a cheeky touch of Harry Styles about Townley.
The other school boys have some sweet idiosyncrasies that convey the teenage awkwardness and exuberance of boys playing at being pop stars. They have great chemistry as an ensemble with infectious energy. They are all highly accomplished musicians who seem to effortlessly navigate the choreography at the same time.
Raphina (Grace Collender) as ‘the girl’ that Connor started the band to impress is captivating, strong, dry and enticing. Her solos are performed in the style of music videos of the time where she has a mesmerising, mercurial quality. Raphina and Conor are absolutely credible as a young couple which is not an easy feat.
This production has been a labour of love for director Rebecca Taichman and writer Enda Walsh, after Covid vetoed the original production. The commitment and care it must have taken to finally bring it to The Lyric 5 years later has permeated into the show. There’s a warmth and love for the characters, as if Taichman has been their guardian and now successfully landed them in London. The writing and storytelling are efficient and continuously engaging. The pacing is perfect, nothing is overindulged or thrown away. Walsh is generous with zippy one-liners, schoolboy quirks and captures the oft forgotten hope and fun that is usually labelled as the ‘ innocence or foolishness’ of youth. The songs “Up” and “Drive It Like You Stole It” are standout, stand-up and dance numbers from the original score by John Carney and Gary Clark.
The show is an homage to the 80s, the spirit of possibility, of hope. Of getting out, up or through, in spite of a world trying to drag you down. If this feel-good, coming-of-age, celebration of hope doesn’t transfer to the West End, I'll eat my Boy George bowler hat.
Sing Street plays at Lyric Hammersmith until 23 August
★★★★★
