Seeing this revived show the week a good friend emigrates to the other side of the world, probably wasn’t the wisest move, but this show of revelation and emigration set in the Edinburgh “kingdom” of Leith and featuring the songs of the Proclaimers was enough to bring some much-needed rays of light to a dismal Dundee evening.
This new touring production which will even cross the water to Belfast, and the third since its inception in 2007, stars Scottish success story Billy Boyd, who is probably best known for playing Pippin in The Lord of the Rings.
Due to “indisposition” the pivotal role of Jean was played by Anne Smith and not Ann Louise Ross, and although thisprobably changed some of the dynamic of the marital break-up and make-up, Anne Smith added a rough vulnerability and melancholy edge to the songs. Having seen Ann Louise Ross’s recent performance in Sweeney Todd it would be good to see what she made of the role too (Jean does have some of the best songs, Sunshine On Leith and Letter From America, for example).
Vocally, the Rep ensemble cast really shone with the added help of the ever-slick band under the musical direction of Hilary Brooks, and the original arrangements added a new perspective to many of the songs that now feel part of the Scottish experience and heritage, including the obvious I’m Gonna Be (500 miles).
Zoe Rainey as Yvonne probably had the vocal edge out of all the leads, but Jo Freer’s Liz was feisty, realistic and emotive too, especially when interacting with her “parents”, including John Buick as dad Rab who stole the thunder out the rumbling clouds on quite a few occasions, most notably in the rousing party scene when his stable wee world falls apart.
