ED FRINGE 2023 REVIEW | Sunshine on Leith, Captivate Theatre
★ ★ ★ ★
Reviewer - Bethany
*Disclaimer: Gifted tickets in return for an honest review
Arguably, there isn’t a band that says Scottish quite like The Proclaimers. So it was unsurprising to me that this performance of a jukebox musical based upon their music was sold out, or that the queue snaked all the way around the circus tent venue. I went in with high expectations, and I wasn’t left disappointed.
Sunshine On Leith tells the story of Ally and Davy, recently discharged from the Army and returned home to Edinburgh. Following Ally returning to his long-term relationship, Davy exploring a new one and Davy’s parents negotiating difficulties in theirs; the show intertwines their narratives in a well-paced, captivating manner. Initially very upbeat following the boy’s return, the tone of the show soon shifted and issues with identity, trust and communication were revealed as they struggled to adjust to their new circumstances.
The talent and authenticity of the company’s performances meant that by the time we got to the highly anticipated title track, I was so emotionally invested that Hazel Beattie’s astounding performance brought a tear to my eye. A real highlight of the show that resonated throughout the audience (if the applause that followed was anything to go by).
The Captivate Theatre company should also be commended for how well they utilised the small space they had fully - running through the audience to signal changes in the scene and seating the band in one of the audience booths. This made the performance feel more immersive and left me all the more invested.
Sunshine on Leith was joyful, heartfelt and felt authentically Scottish. A perfect musical for the Edinburgh Festival Fringe.
Sunshine on Leith is playing at Assembly Rooms - Bijou at 3:30pm every day until 27th August.
More information and tickets are available here: https://tickets.edfringe.com/whats-on/sunshine-on-leith
