We are very fortunate in Wharfedale and Aireborough to have some brilliant theatrical groups and BrassNeck Theatre Company are certainly one of these. In fact, I have often thought that they are as good if not better than some professional companies I have seen.

This week at Yeadon Town Hall, BrassNeck are performing the musical Sunshine on Leith, written by the acclaimed Stephen Greenhorn which features some classic songs from Scottish favourites The Proclaimers.

Servicemen Davy and Ally return from war overseas in Afghanistan to be confronted with civilian life filled with relationships, blind dates, and commitments. Ally returns to his girlfriend Liz, a nurse, who is also Davy’s sister. On Davy and Ally’s first night home out at a local pub, Liz introduces Davy to her English friend and colleague Yvonne. Liz and Yvonne take part in some drunken storytelling, a Scottish tradition.

Following their blind date, Davy and Yvonne strike up a romantic relationship as Ally and Liz consider their future as a potential married couple. As they embark on these intertwining journeys in love, Davy and Ally begin to question what home really means to them. In addition, Rab, Davy’s father discovers he has fathered a child 27 years ago from a one-night stand when his daughter Eilidh turns up to advise him of the death of her mother. This is discovered by his wife Jean at their 30th wedding anniversary party. Can the two of them recover from this discovery?

Great singing, acting and choreography all combine to make this a foot-tapping extravaganza. I thought the seven main principals were all excellent in their roles. Ben Tomlinson as Davy, Paul Metcalfe as Ally, Fiona Lane as Liz, Chloe Anderson as Yvonne, Andrew Walton as Rab, Laura Judge as Jean, and Deanna Roberts as Eilidh. There were some superb solos, duets and quartets in the musical numbers featuring some classic Proclaimers numbers – I’m On My Way, Misty Blue, Let’s Get Married, What Do You Do?, Letter from America and 500 miles. But the highlight of the show must be Sunshine on Leith sung by Jean at Rab’s bedside following his heart attack. If this does not bring a tear to the eye, nothing will.

I must also mention Tom Kyle as the busker who gave a great performance with his solo of Better Days and Jill Whitehouse as Hazel who led the female chorus in Should Have Been Loved. Overall the chorus work was superb throughout the production.

Gone are the days of physical scene changes in productions – we now are treated to back projection on a gigantic screen at the back of the stage showing scenes of Afghanistan, the streets of Edinburgh, the local pub, the bookstore, and the hospital. This adds a new dimension to the production which raises it from great to brilliant.

Cathy Sweet, the musical director leads a great orchestra which is hidden away at the rear of stage right and whose musicianship is superb. The choreography directed by Sarah Joice is slick and fast moving whilst the overall performance directed by Royston Bayfield is outstanding. The company have raised the Proclaimer’s music which was originally written for two acoustic guitars up to a new level making this a must-see show.

There are very few tickets left for the final four performances on Thursday, Friday and two performances on Saturday, a matinee in the afternoon and the evening performance at 7.30. I would highly recommend if you have not already booked to do so. It certainly is a show not to miss. Tickets can be booked by ringing 01132505011.