We got media coverage...

Thanks to the Dundee Courier and Advertiser for featuring us in their paper and on their website on 22nd October 2013. Here's the link:

http://www.thecourier.co.uk/news/local/perth-kinross/perth-theatre-company-claim-a-sunshine-on-leith-first-1.144348

See ShyAnn shimmy...

Drinking songs...usually they're along the lines of "skol, skol, skol, skol" repeated ad-infinitum until the singers falls over. Other accepted styles include the singer declaring their love for another or extolling the virtues of the local scenery. Of course, this being Sunshine on Leith all those are collapsed into about 3 minutes. We got jumpers, teachers, early sexual anecdotes, dinner and death.

"But," you say, "what about skol, skol, skol, skol?" The reply is, "You try and go 'bah-bah oo' for eight bars, repeatedly." Not too bad you might think, but when you have a double 'bah-bah' in the middle you lose sync and tend to make it up. As long as they don't turn the mikes up then we'll be OK.

And ShyAnn's shimmy? Heh-heh - just wait until you see our barmaid.

Oh - forgot to say: one of the people in the scene falls over too.

A Hobbit told us to have fun...

True fact: there was a Hobbit in the Dundee Rep musical production of Sunshine on Leith back in 2010. Yea, Peregrin Took aka Pippin aka Billy Boyd. He played Davy in Sunshine on Leith. And you know what - he sent us a signed photo this week. Well chuffed. Thanks Billy - we hope we'll do you proud :-)

It could get a bit rough...

Sunday...Sunday was fun, fantastic and a big boost to all the guys taking part.

As I said in the previous post Sunday is the day that we do all the scenes, the non-company rehearsals. In all honesty I was coming to this day with some trepidation. Looking back on it I have to ask myself "Why," 'cos it wasn't as hard as I thought it'd be. Great support from all the other guys. We actually managed to nail the entire scene in less than two hours. How? Well, 'cos it was just us guys getting on with the job-in-hand. It's like shopping - guys know what they want, go in, get it and leave. No distractions. Now, what's the military parlance - run for cover?! :-D

Not without a few alterations. Our esteemed director said she wanted it a bit rougher, the singing at the start that is, more broad Scottish. So we all grabbed our sticks (broom handles, aka guns) and made with the roughness. Hey, whaddya know - it worked. And even the harmonies came easily this time.

Then it was time for the shouting...well, someone's gotta play Sarge and give the commands. Yours truly's in that role. Shouting - yeah, I'm good at that. But MIL-spec / drill sergeant shouting? Hmm - needs work methinks. But there's only 5-6 phrases I have to deliver so it's not too onerous in the brain department. Guess I'll have to research my role - "It ain't Half Hot Mum" and "Full Metal Jacket" come to mind. Any other suggestions?

Oh - one more thing: rucked boxers!! You know who you are!

Sky takes the Soul

We're on our way...

Well, good news - we got the scripts for the original Sunshine on Leith - The Musical this last week. We're only borrowing them from Josef Weinberger, so we'd better take good care of them.

It was interesting to go through the first big company number (I'm on my Way) with the script on Thursday of this week. Not only does it have the spoken parts but it has the lyrics and the score. And that's where the fun starts. You see, when you're a fan of an artist like The Proclaimers you get to know the songs very well, to know how to sing them in a certain style with a certain melody. Well, doing Sunshine on Leith - The Musical means that you have to unlearn part of that and instead pick up the harmonies. However, with the help of our director (Victoria Rice) and our trio of musicians we soon got things sounding good.

As for the acting and solo/small group numbers, rehearsals take place on a Sunday. This is where you have to be good - there's no place to hide behind the rest of the company. But it also gives you a chance to shine, to hone your art/part, to make that moment in time your own and to say "You know what - I could do this again."

More to come...

Sunshine on Leith.

Adult Musical Theatre group - Sunshine on Leith.

Ad-Lib Adult Musical Theatre Group is proud to present the UK Amateur Premier of Sunshine on Leith. The performances will be in collaboration with Perth College and will be running in late January 2014.

The Award Winning Musical written by Stephen Greenhorn, featuring the hit songs from The Proclaimers including; Sunshine on Leith, I'm Gonna Be(500 miles), Jean and many more.

Follow the highs and lows of Ally and Davy as they return home from the army. Families, relationships and work are not all plain sailing in this funny and moving story about love and life.

"A story worth walking 500 miles for, if not 500 more." The Guardian

"A brilliant piece of family entertainment." Evening Express

"It doesn't get more vibrant than this." The Stage