"Sunshine On Leith" by LEOS Musical Theatre Company.

May Hall, Long Eaton.

A jubilant, heartfelt musical about the power of home, the heart, family and love featuring the music of The Proclaimers. What separates this "jukebox" musical from others is the storyline, or should that be, there is a storyline!

As you take your seats the stage and front area start to be inhabited with soldiers, creating a sense of unease. The first song, "Sky Takes The Soul", which starts off as minimalist and then builds and builds, giving an insight into the start of the story, and where it goes from there.

"Sunshine on Leith", which is making its' East Midlands debut, is set in Leith’s halcyon pre-tram days. Pals Davy and Ally are back from the Army, after returning from a tour in Afghanistan, and trying to settle into civilian life. Ally takes up again with nurse girlfriend Liz while Davy, her brother, embarks on a romance with Yvonne, her colleague.

Obviously, now they have left the army, they have to find civilian jobs, and the scene with Ally and Davy in training for work in a call centre is hilarious, centring on the Scottish voice being one of the "most trustworthy" accents, on a par with the Geordie accent.

Davy and Liz’s parents, Rab and Jean, are about to celebrate their 30th wedding anniversary when someone new steps into their lives. This bombshell could match any that Dave and Ally experienced in Afghanistan, especially when the secret is found out at the Anniversary celebrations.

This is also the time chosen by Ally to propose to Liz. The place is in uproar, and it's Davy, having Ally's back that causes a rift between Davy and Yvonne. The bar room bust up shows that the girls are actually more violent than the men, if the scene stage left is anything to go by.

The story doesn’t quite give a ‘happy ever after’ but it is a celebration of the human spirit and triumph over adversity.

I hate the term "emotional rollercoaster" but that is what this play is. One minute you'll be laughing and then you'll find yourself tearing up.

Rhodri Denton debuts with LEOS in the role of Davy. One word that can be placed on any of these actors/characters is "chemistry". There is a wonderful brotherly chemistry between Davy and Ally and it's the offstage chemistry between these two that makes the on stage chemistry so real. I really can't recall seeing Rhodri in such a major role in a show, I apologise if that is not the case, but this is a role that I will remember Rhodri for, for a long while. There is a disagreement between Davy and Yvonne in the second act, and you can really feel the anger that both actors give out in character.

Ally is played by Matt McAuley, and you can tell that, like the other actors, he has really got under the skin of this character. I would not be surprised if Matt hasn't been practicing method acting and has been walking around talking with a Scottish accent for the last few weeks. If he did, it certainly paid off because the accent did not falter at any time.

There are so many scenes I could quote as being in my Matt Mcauley highlights of "Sunshine", but the scene where Davy visits him as he is packing to re enlist is very powerful, both emotional and infused with anger and frustration. Emotionally, I don't think I've seen Matt play a better scene as he normally gets the comic character.

Yvonne is played by Amy Parker, and such was the chemistry between the four main leads on stage, this lead to a lady after the show asking if Matt and Amy were an item because, as the lady in the audience stated, the chemistry was so strong. Obviously a tribute to all four leads acting skills. I loved Rhodri and Amy's version of "Misty Blue" which is a Proclaimers song that is not so well known. Another scene which had us holding our breath in act two was when the pair were discussing their future together and if they wanted it to work.

Liz, Davy's sister, is played by Rebekah Dean. There is even more emotion involved with this character and Rebekah dishes it out perfectly. There are only a few songs that are sung by just the one character but Liz's "What Do You Do" is one that shows off Rebekah's voice well

Rab is played by Simon Parker, and it's uncanny how well his vocals match the original Proclaimers guide for the songs. Poor Rab is torn with the bombshell that is dropped on his family, which also ends up with Rab in hospital. Once more that chemistry between Rab and his wife, Jean, is superb, and I think it's that chemistry off stage that makes this onstage marriage such an explosive one.

Jean is played by Liz Woolley. Jean's explosive outburst is one with such power and emotion that will knock you backwards, Liz does not seem to hold back for sure. But for me, the vocal highlight of the evening is when Liz, as Jean, sings to Rab while he is in the hospital, "Sunshine On Leith" with such fragility, it does get to you. Seeing what Jean could have lost also sparks a wave of forgiveness, and not just for Rab.

Eilidh is played by Becky Morley. This isn't a big part but is the catalyst character who also has a difficult decision to work out. It's lovely to see Becky in a principal role, recently she has done more ensemble based parts but I think it's great to see her pushed more to the fore.

There are several other minor roles and ensemble characters who pop in and out of the storyline.

The Busker, played by Ali Langton, performed the song "Better Days" alone on stage with just his guitar and silenced the audience with this song.

Another lovely cameo part was a celebrity chef who was signing books, played by Jack Woolley, and we also get another accent in the mix, an Italian one, with this part. jack also doubles up as Andy.

Emma Collins adds to that wonderfully comic "call centre" scene as the Training Instructor and we get to hear her lovely tones on "Better Things" as The Wedding Singer.

More comedy highlights with the Barman, played by Jack Warburton in another big ensemble number "Over And Done With".

Alice Summerton (Driving Instructor), Jordan Neary (Moira), Josie Coleman (Young Jean), Stuart Bull (Young Rab/Sarge), Laura Davey (Young NED - Non-Educated Delinquent), Lilli White (Karen), Lisa Stone (Jagger), Melissa Vickerstaff (Hazel), Molly Parkinson (Carla) and Nicola Adcock (Doctor). These cameo roles also swell out the ensemble consisting of Victoria Palmer, Steph Brown, Natalie Webster, Milly Clover, Louise McGowan, Lauren Riley and Amy Clover. Particularly impressive in the celebratory scenes.

Directed by Adam Guest, and I've said before that Adam is the theatrical equivalent of King Midas, as everything he touches, turns to gold. I need not say more; King Adam resides.

The choreography is great fun and includes plenty of Scottish dances and Ceilidh style choreography which is great fun to watch, and must be great fun to perform as well. Emma Lamont's choreography could not be any more relevant or accurate as Emma is Scottish born and bred, you just wouldn't think that this is her debut as choreographer.

Musical Director is Ryan Latham who has captured the excitement, energy and the stripped back arrangements of some of the songs that Proclaimers fans will know inside out. The building of the track "Sunshine On Leith" from just the one voice to the big number it develops into, as well as the closing stomper, which again starts as a simple song for two, "I'm Gonna Be (500 Miles)", show the quality of Ryan's work in this field.

The soundtrack by The Proclaimers takes on a whole new feel with these arrangements and you can hear every word that the Reid Brothers wrote, and with many of these songs they take on a completely new meaning. Songs like "I'm Gonna Be (500 Miles)", "Jean", "Letter From America", "I'm On My Way", "Sky Takes The Soul", "Let's Get Married" and "Make My Heart Fly", as well as the beautiful "Misty Blue" and the haunting title track make this musical so much more than a run of the mill jukebox musical.

Lighting Design is by David Price, another stalwart of the theatre and of the production side. From simple white lighting to highlight the actors to full on colourful stage flooding, it made for an exciting addition to the musical.

Sound Design is by Sam Lenord. A few missed mic cues where the start of the speech was clipped off, but it's opening night so I am sure that this will be tightened up as the week continues. Apart from these very few minor misses, the volume and tone were just right.

The sets relied on several props moved on and off stage with speed to create the different settings and the rostrums to create a second level were well utilised. I didn't even need to consult the programme to recognise the construction style of Roydon Charlesworth.

The costumes, especially the soldiers' costumes were fabulous. Co Ordinated by Kim-louise Sparks.

Theatre is one form of entertainment that should be accessible to everyone, and to make sure that this production is accessible to everyone, there is a BSL interpreted performance, signed by Kat Pearson, on Saturday's matinee. There's also a QR code in the programme for an audio description of the programme. There's also a QR code to donate in the programme, plus all the gen on everyone. A lovely informative with just about everything you need to know about everything regarding this show. All wonderfully designed by Matt McAuley, so make sure you get yourself a programme as well.

I must also mention that after the show I was talking to people, cast members etc., and I was chatting to two ladies who said that after attending LEOS last show, "Kiss Me Kate", they didn't really know this show but bought tickets on the strength of the last show. This is how a fan base expands!

Did I enjoy "Sunshine On Leith"? Well it shows that singing the songbook of just one band is not always easy, especially when singing in accent. The accents, at times, weren't as strong as they were at the start of the show, but I am extremely picky, especially with a theatre group who I greatly admire and have such a massive reputation in local theatre circles. sorry, I didn't answer my own question, did I enjoy the show? I absolutely loved it and had real issues keeping my feet still.

Just one other thing that I would advise, and that is to bring the house lights up at the end of Act One, as there was a bit of confusion as to if the interval was at that time as the auditorium was left with the lights down and we didn't know if anyone was coming back on stage. The lights did eventually come up though, but could have been a wee bit quicker, and the race for the bar was on.

This show is so much better than braw, it's pure barry, ken like!

"Sunshine On Leith" is at May Hall in Long Eaton until Saturday 4 November.

Photography by Chris Clarke

 "The Full Monty"

Nottingham Theatre Royal.

"The Full Monty" is the story of six out of work steel workers from Sheffield who decide that, for one night only, they will get a bit of dosh in, by performing The Full Monty, in their local club. The decision comes about by way of a “girlie night” at the club with The Chippendales, a set of strippers who do not go “all the way” and Gaz gets together his work mates to top this by going all the way, or The Full Monty, as that will be how they can guarantee a full house and get the maximum money in as a short term end to all of their money issues.

Gaz, Lomper, Dave and Gerald hold auditions to get the other two, Horse, who is a bit of an old school dancer and Guy, who can’t dance but has something big to add to the mix!

Despite being a comedy, Simon Beaufoy who wrote the play, also touches on serious subjects such as unemployment, fathers' rights, depression, impotence, homosexuality, body image, working class culture and suicide.

This play is as much a play for the lads in the audience as it is for the women, because it shows brotherhood and working together as well as self discovery.

Actors are notoriously self-conscious, so to perform in this play takes a lot of guts, but this cast were loving the adoration of the crowd tonight.

Danny Hatchford plays Gaz. Gaz has the most pressure on as he has a son that he needs to pay maintenance for, who is living with his ex, Mandy, and her new boyfriend, Barry. With the threat of not seeing his son due to the payments owed, he is desperate to stem this money flow and get more access to see his son. I've seen this play on several occasions and every time there is a different feel with every cast.

Danny brings a new sensitivity to Gaz and the desperation to see his son, as well as pay what he owes to Mandy, really runs deep and you feel the frustration. Danny really comes across as "one of the lads" as Gaz but there has been a slimming down of the cockiness seen in some of the actors who have taken on Gaz in the past, and that makes the character even more believable and relatable. Needless to say the finale is great fun, as it always is.

Laura Matthews plays Gaz's ex, Mandy, as well as several other parts, and again Laura brings a real human side of the character out, especially after all the "second chances" she gave Gaz, she still shows she has feelings for him, and what he is going through, by buying a ticket to see him, and the others perform.

Oliver Joseph Brooke plays Mandy's new partner, Barry, Terry the club manager, as well as other characters. Oliver radiates as Terry, a role polar opposites to Barry, especially as the announcer of the main event.

Jake Quickenden plays Guy, the obvious heart throb who obviously works out. I'm not sure if it's because it's been a few years since I saw "The Full Monty" but every actor seems to bring new characteristics to their role. There is a certain vulnerability brought to Guy by Jake, especially with the frank discussion with Lomper, which is quite sweet, letting us into the shy side of Guy.

Bill Ward plays Gerald, the former steel works foreman, who is hiding something from his wife, Linda. And it's not his obsession with garden gnomes either! Bill, like the other members of this cast are all excellent character actors; Gerald is a million miles away from his onscreen "Coronation Street" and "Emmerdale" characters, as well as the stage roles that I've seen him play previously. What also went through my mind was why he had not been asked to do "Strictly", because he can move. What you also notice is that Bill has looked after himself, and that shows in the first "undress rehearsal".

Linda, Gerald's wife, is played by Suzanne Proctor who has a wig that looks like it has a life, and post code, of it's own. (I really hope this was a wig because that would be really embarrassing for me if I were wrong). You really wanted her to find out Gerald's secret just to pop her snobby bubble, which she does anyway. I know that it takes a skilled actor to make you not like a particular character, so Suzanne ticks that skilled actor box for me.

Neil Hurst plays Dave, the one with the "dad bod", the sort of body that most of us have. Dave is trying to lose that dad bod by some unconventional ways, which shows that he is willing to try anything to impress Jean. The loss of his job has caused confidence issues within the marriage. The audience really got behind Dave at every step of the way. I always say that if you can believe the character on stage and not see the actor, then this is a job done well. Neil brings Dave to life and that character realism is what the audience bought into.

Katy Dean plays Jean, Dave's wife. I love this character because she doesn't care about Dave's weight issue, she loves him as he is. It's this depth of character that is so lovely to see, and I also love the scene where she confronts him with an accusation of cheating. The realisation of the truth is heart-warming and shows just how well Dave and Jean are matched as a couple.

Ben Onwukwe, who I last saw in the tour of "The Shawshank Redemption", plays Horse, an older man with some good soul moves. This scene itself raises the roof. If you've not seen the film or the musical, or the play version - which by the way this is - you may ask how he got the nickname of "Horse". All is revealed in the play. A brilliant character for the mature actor and Ben was quick to win the crowd over to his side.

Nicholas Prasad as Lomper, a security guard at the steel mill that the lads used to work at, until it was closed down. Lomper is a bit of a saddo character, and we discover why this is later on in the play after Dave and Gaz save him from himself at the start. I've seen this play a few times but even I gasped at that particular section involving his first major scene. Thankfully Lomper's repression is reversed and we see a more happier and more confident character after an open and honest chat with one of the other characters. Another great character actor in Nicholas.

Four young actors alternate the role of Nathan, Mandy and Gaz's son. Cass Dempsey, Theo Hills, Rowan Poulton and Jack Wisniewski. Tonight (Monday) the role was played by, I think, Theo. Nathan lives with Mandy and Barry but Gaz has joint custody of him with Mandy. Nathan wishes he and his father Gaz could do more "normal stuff" together. It never fails to amaze me just how confident and unphased these young actors are on stage. An incredibly natural performance and this young man has great stage presence as well as great projection in his voice.

Directed by Michael Gyngell, his directorial view has retained everything that I love about this play but has also created a freshness about the story that is difficult to put a finger on, but it does feel extremely fresh, as if it was the first time that I had seen this play. He seems to have made the characters even more human.

Jasmine Swells' Set and Costume design also have a new look about them. The set is completely different to other sets that I'd seen; consisting of three large segments, and when I say large, I mean LARGE! they filled the stage. These sections were manoeuvred around the stage by the stage crew and the cast with different sides of these monster sections showing a different bit of scenery. The moving about of these sections was an art form in itself. Great and apt costumes as the out of work workers, but the final costumes were suitably sparkly.

The Lighting Design by Andrew Exeter, and of course this is one show in particular where you don't fall out with the Lighting Operator, if you know what I mean! Powerful backlighting ensured the privacy of the privates were kept just that way.

Sound Design is by Chris Whybrow. Now, you forget that there is a sound designer in a play like this because, even with the sections with the record player, and the radio at the job centre, its natural sound direction is taken for granted. This sound positioning is the work of the Sound Designer, and creating that natural sound placement is vital to the believability and enjoyment of what you hear from the stage.

You'll also love the selection of music used incidentally when there is a change of scenery. Love both Human League tracks used, "Love Action" and "Mirror Man", and even though the setting is the 1980's, some of the songs are from a later period i.e. M People's "Moving On Up" from 1993 and Primal Scream's "Moving On Up" from a year earlier. Who cares? It's great music and nobody else I suppose would even notice. Brilliant soundtrack FULL STOP!

The choreography is by Ian West. There are a couple of scenes that everyone looks forward to, choreography wise, and they are done just as we like to see them. The scene at the Job Centre to Donna summer's "Hot Stuff" is still an absolute delight to watch swell and blossom, and of course the finale "You Can Leave Your Hat On". Cheeky, comedic and creative choreography.

When you think of "The Full Monty" most people will straight away think of half a dozen men getting their kit off. The story that leads up to this explosive exhibitionism is heart-warming and very human. I would even go as far to say that this cast could be the best collaboration of actors I've seen in a "Full Monty" touring production, and even though the weather outside is cold, you leave the theatre feeling lovely and warm inside.

I even overlooked the fact that there would be no way that Dave and Gaz would have been able to shift that massive iron girder.

"The Full Monty" will be performed nightly at the Nottingham Theatre Royal until Saturday 4 November.