Wild Rose, Royal Lyceum Theatre Edinburgh Review
Wild Rose Production Photography. Photo by Mihaela Bodlovic
Written by Jacqueline for Theatre & Tonic
Disclaimer: Gifted tickets in exchange for an honest review
Contains strong language, recommended for 14+
From March 6th until April 19th, Edinburgh’s Lyceum Theatre is home to Wild Rose (based on the 2018 film of the same name), the story of a young woman overcoming her past and chasing her dreams. The Lyceum Theatre has premiered some of the most exciting new Scottish shows in recent years, so I couldn’t wait to see what Wild Rose had to offer.
Rose-Lynn is freshly out of jail for a reckless mistake and she’s ready to leave her life in Glasgow. Where is she heading? Nashville; to pursue her lifelong ambition of being a country singer. Her mother vehemently disapproves, insisting that Rose-Lynn settles into motherhood and the life she has created for herself. After meeting her new boss, Susannah, the road to Nashville is suddenly blown wide open… but is it worth risking everything she has ever known?
As the titular Rose-Lynn, Dawn Sievewight is a magnificent tour-de-force. Rose-Lynn is a fiery and impulsive young woman who leaps into things headfirst… and pays the price repeatedly. Her scenes with her children are poignant and heartfelt as she desperately tries to regain the bond that has been shattered. Her conflicts with both her family and friends were both intense and heartfelt, and it was hard not to empathise with Rose-Lynn, in spite of the reckless decisions she was making. During the scenes where Rose-Lynn is performing onstage, Sievewright lights up the whole auditorium with a joyous and vibrant energy, earning a reaction from the audience that is far greater than anything I’ve heard for a long time.
Though it would be easy to villainise Rose-Lynn’s mother Marion, Blythe Duff’s sublime performance truly encourages the audience to feel her anguish and the struggles she has faced as both a mother and a grandmother. Marion just wants security and consistency for the children and will do anything she can to stop them from getting hurt, even at the expense of her own relationship with Rose-Lynn.
Completing our trio of leads, Janet Kumah is a wonderfully warm presence as Susannah. Her dynamic with Rose-Lynn is beautiful to watch and she radiates joy and humour. She truly shows that you never know who could change your life.
I also need to highlight the incredible performances of Lyle (Alfie Campbell) and Wynnona (Lily Ferguson). These talented young performers do a fantastic job of portraying the emotional turmoil the children are facing as they come to terms with their fractured relationship with their mother.
The score for Wild Rose is beautiful, with songs penned by country legends including Dolly Parton, Carrie Underwood and The Chicks. The film’s award-winning original song Glasgow (No Place Like Home) is also featured, and is a complete showstopper. Sievewright is a vocal powerhouse, taking this magnificent score in her stride and delivering some of the most heartfelt performances I’ve heard in years. I sincerely hope that a cast recording could be on its way.
Chloe Lamford’s set design and Katrina Lindsay’s costume design encapsulates the atmosphere of the show perfectly, with lots of open, airy sets and costume designs that neatly consolidate the class differences between our characters. The use of onstage musicians is a particular highlight and the band are a joy to watch.
I can say with complete certainty that Wild Rose is a show with a huge future ahead of it. It’s one of the most refreshing and original productions I’ve seen in a long time. Get your tickets while you can, because this show is going to go far.
At Royal Lyceum Theatre Edinburgh until 19 April 2025
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
