Sunshine on Leith is a winning romp

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      Starring Jane Horrocks. Rated G.

      Who knew the Proclaimers wrote so many great songs? Playwright and screenwriter Stephen Greenhorn obviously did, and he makes exciting use of “I’m Gonna Be (500 Miles)”, the title number, and a dozen other well-crafted tunes.

      As with most musicals, the plot is stitched together from the cadavers of other tales. Things centre on two Scottish soldiers who survive Afghanistan and try to pick up where they left off. Dominant Davy (Pride’s George MacKay) is better adjusted than small, pugnacious Ronnie (Under the Skin’s Paul Brannigan). The latter is crazy about Davy’s bright, freckled sister, Liz (winning Freya Mavor), who’s not so sure. Sis soon introduces bro to a comely hospital colleague (Antonia Thomas), all right for an Englishwoman.

      The lads are back for Dave and Liz’s parents’ 25th wedding anniversary, but they don’t know that Dad (Peter Mullan, in a gentle, change-of-pace role) just discovered his lost daughter from a one-night stand. So there’s plenty to break into song about, especially for Mom, played by cast standout Jane Horrocks.

      Actor turned director Dexter Fletcher prompts his cast (even the sandpaper-voiced Mullan) to put convincing verve into upbeat numbers such as “I’m on My Way”. Many songs are done as duets, befitting their origins with identical twins Craig and Charlie Reid, who mix Caledonian flavours with their Everly Brothers–inflected music. But there are group numbers, too, with genuine heartbreak in the ballad “Letter to America”, a showstopper that finds everyone, in different locations, contemplating Scotland’s ups and downs.

      By the way, our soldier boys bump into the Proclaimers on their first day home. Like everything else here, it’s artificial as hell, and couldnae be better.

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