Sunshine on Leith at the Northern Stage, Newcastle Review
Sunshine on Leith, Byker
Northern Stage, Newcastle
28-29 August 2014
Reviewed by Tammy Linsell
When the film “Mamma Mia!” was released I saw it at the pictures and then later bought the DVD. This was played countless times until I went to see the live show at the Newcastle Arena. I never watched the DVD again, simply because as good as the film is, it just didn’t live up to the stage version. It’s going to be like this with “Sunshine on Leith Byker”, performed last night in Newcastle at the Northern Stage. I loved the film but this was so much better.
The last time I was at the Northern Stage it was called the Newcastle Playhouse and one of the young performers appearing was a completely unheard of Kevin Whatley, who went on to achieve great fame. Will that eventually be the case for any of the young people I saw last night I wonder? Very possibly.
The production has a Geordie theme rather than a Scottish one but the story remains the same as the film. Dave and Ali return home following their discharge from the army and a tour of Afghanistan. Ali’s girlfriend is Dave’s sister Liz, and Liz introduces Dave to her friend Yvonne. Dave and Yvonne form a relationship and the plot follows the two couples as the lads try to settle back into civilian life. There is a second storyline surrounding Dave’s parents Rob and Jean who have been married for twenty five years. I won’t give anymore away, but the main point of the production is to showcase the music of the Scottish duo The Proclaimers, who have been performing over three decades and have produced numerous hits. Some of these hits are in here, including “I’m Gonna Be (500 miles)”, “I’m On My Way”, “Letter from America” and also songs I’m less familiar with such as, “Oh Jean” and “Over and Done With”. A talented cast belted out these songs and many others. There were some great solo performances too, especially Zita Frith with “Hate My Love”.
Sorry lads, but the show stopper for me was the all-female rendition of “Should Have Been Loved”. Excellent choreography, great singing, and so very funny. Unfortunately the cast list I’ve been given doesn’t have accompanying photographs so I can’t name everyone involved in this routine, but the leads were Zita Frith and Rosie Ramsey. Rosie was absolutely hilarious, and I could have watched her in this number over and over again.
Great acting from everyone. I was particularly impressed with the two hander between Ali (Ryan Nolan) and Dave (Matthew Laidlaw) when Dave tells Ali he has signed up for the Army again. There was a large ensemble and also a junior ensemble and the leads I haven’t previously mentioned were Faye Harrison (Liz), Jason King (Rob), and Rachel Johnson (Yvonne).
The producers are S.A. Productions who are a sister company of the Sage Academy of Performing Arts who give full and part time training to aspiring young performers. They appear to be doing a good job. For further information see www.saproductions.co.uk.
The Northern Stage is on Barras Bridge, Newcastle, a five minute walk from the Haymarket Bus Station and the Metro. Avoid the Eldon Garden and Eldon multi storey car parks as these close at 10pm, use the Claremont Car Park beside Exhibition Park on the B1318. This is free after 6pm.
The theatre is smart and attractive, and has well planned seating properly tiered so that no one’s head gets in the way of your view. One slight criticism is that we weren’t allowed into the auditorium until ten minutes before the show, and the place was so packed (including the café) that there was nowhere to sit down. I noticed an elderly lady begin to struggle with having to stand for so long. Like us she probably expected to be able to take her seat inside rather earlier on. She didn’t ask for assistance, and if she had I am sure it would have been given, but if I was concerned about her, I think that the staff standing beside me should have noticed too and done something about it.
Sunshine on Leith Byker, will appeal to all ages, but note that it does contain some flashing lights. It only has a run of two days, but hopefully there will be enough demand to get it back again.
Rating: 5/5 
Tickets cost £15 (adults), £12 (students and OAP’s), £8 (children).
Sunshine on Leith is at the Northern Stage until 29 August 2014. For more information or to book tickets click here or call the box office on 0191 230 5151.
Northern Stage, Barras Bridge,Newcastle Upon Tyne,Tyne and Wear, NE1 7RH
