SUNSHINE ON LEITH MUSICAL IN A MAJOR NEW PRODUCTION

… AT WEST YORKSHIRE PLAYHOUSE FOR SPRING 2018. LEEDS, EDINBURGH, ABERDEEN, COVENTRY, DUNDEE, GLASGOW & INVERNESS DATES.

Written by Stephen Greenhorn with music by The Proclaimers.

Directed by James Brining

West Yorkshire Playhouse, Quarry Theatre

Friday 20 April – Saturday 19 May 2018

West Yorkshire Playhouse will take the city of Leeds on foot-stomping adventure with the hit musical Sunshine on Leith, by acclaimed writer Stephen Greenhorn with a soundtrack of classics from The Proclaimers, ahead of a UK tour.

This final Playhouse production in the Quarry Theatre before the up-coming redevelopment sees Artistic Director James Brining (Into The Woods, Chitty Chitty Bang Bang, West Yorkshire Playhouse) directing this brand new version of the award-winning musical. Set to the timeless songs of the much-loved band The Proclaimers, including “I’m Gonna Be (500 Miles)”, “Letter from America” and of course the emotive “Sunshine on Leith”, this feel good musical asks the question would you walk 500 miles for the one you love?

Craig and Charlie Reid said: “We are very honoured that one of the top theatres in Britain is mounting the show. We hope that the performances are joyful events for the cast and audiences.”

West Yorkshire Playhouse Artistic Director James Brining said: “I am thrilled to be directing Sunshine on Leith, a show which is bursting with heart and energy. It’s such an entertaining and emotionally charged musical, which explores ideas of home and identity, falling in love and picking up the pieces when it all falls apart. As the UK questions whether it’s still one country and what “Britain” means in the 21st Century, this show questions if your roots and your home really define you. With the beautiful, barnstorming, popular songs of The Proclaimers as its soundtrack, the show never fails to ignite big and powerful emotions from its audience. I can’t wait to introduce it to Leeds and take it out on tour.”

Writer Stephen Greenhorn said: “It is fantastic to have the chance to revive and revitalise Sunshine On Leith with James Brining at West Yorkshire Playhouse. It has been 10 years since we first staged the musical in Dundee and I can’t wait to bring this musical back to theatre audiences in an exciting new production.”

Originally a stage musical before being transformed in to the 2013 hit feature film adaptation, Sunshine on Leith sees the return of servicemen Davy and Ally from war overseas to be confronted with relationships, blind dates and commitments. As the pair embark on intertwining journeys in love, they begin to question what home really means to them as they rediscover their sense of identity.

Brining’s fresh and affirmative take on this warm-hearted musical will have set and costume designed by Colin Richmond, who’s work includes Curve’s tour of Sunset Boulevard, Kiss Me Kate for Opera North and Wendy and Peter for the RSC.

Joining the creative duo, the Playhouse is thrilled to welcome back the formidable talents of David Shrubsole as Music Supervisor. His work nationally and internationally has included London Road and My Country at the National Theatre, The Wind In The Willows for the London Palladium and The Rise and Fall of Little Voice at West Yorkshire Playhouse.