Billy Boyd, (the only recorded Scots Hobbit, he played Pippin in the Lord of the Rings films!), will join a tour of Dundee Rep’s revival of its award-winning musical, Sunshine on Leith, opening on August 31.

Based around the songs of the Proclaimers the show was written by Stephen Greenhorn. According to the Stage:

Glasgow-born Boyd will star as Davy, a squaddie returning to Leith with his best pal after they have experienced one too-many tours of Afghanistan. The Rep’s artistic director James Brinning will direct, with musical direction by Hilary Brooks and design by Neil Warmington.

After opening in Dundee on August 31 the production will tour Scotland and Ireland to October 23. Dates have been booked in England until November 27 with further dates to be announced. Will the Proclaimer’s musical make it to London? I certainly hope so. I’m a fan of their song writing skills and I think they’ve better credentials than many who’ve found their way onto the London scene recently.
As Bernard Logan said in his 2007 review:

Sunshine on Leith
Abba, Queen, Madness … the Proclaimers?! Well, why not? Dundee Rep’s much-hyped new ‘jukebox musical’ lets others discover what we devotees have long argued: that the Reid brothers are the best songwriters in Britain. The uninitiated will still enjoy a show that hijacks the band’s music to tell the story of two squaddies returning to Leith from Iraq. But I love the Proclaimers so much, my heart wears NHS specs, and to me, this is absolute bliss.

Aspects of Love comes to the Mernier

Andrew Lloyd Webber’s Aspects Of Love, which will be directed by Trevor Nunn at the Menier Chocolate Factory, will feature a cast led by Michael Arden and Katherine Kingsley.The run starts on 14 July, following on from the new musical Paradise Found.

The Story of Aspects of Love

Lovers Alex Dillingham and Rose Vibert play out a love story that spans 20 years and three generations. Aspects Of Love is based on David Garnet’s novel. We follow student Alex as he travels through France and watch him fall in love with the beautiful actress, Rose. They start a passionate affair but the arrival of Alex’s uncle changes their lives forever.

The Cast and Creatives of Aspects of Love

Director Trevor Nunn return to the Menier Chocolate Factory for the first time since his successful revival of Sondheim’s A Little Night Music last year. Having someone as prestigious as Nunn at the Mernier only further confirms the theatre’s status as the place to try out revivals and new shows before West End transfers. Nunn directed the original production of Aspects Of Love and collaborated with Lloyd Webber on the original stage version in 1979.

Arden, an American, makes his West End stage debut in Aspects Of Love. However he’s already well known on Broadway having stared in Big River and The Times They Are A-Changing. However I’m sure most of his UK fans will know him from cult series Grey’s Anatomy.

Katherine Kingsley is currently in the UK touring production of The 39 Steps.She’s probably best known for her performance in the Donmar Warehouse production of Piaf which saw her nominated for an Olivier Award.

The Music of Aspects of Love

The music of the show is classic Lloyd Webber, with many themes you’ll recognise,including the iconic “Love Changes Everything”

As the original production ran for over 1,000 performances this just might be another hit for the Mernier, following on from other successes like A Little Night Music and Sweet Charity.

It’s something to do with the heady feel good atmosphere generated by just the impression of a greek island holiday even though you are in the middle of the big city. You don;t necessarily have to be a big fan of Abba’s songs either, I know I’m not – but the game of guessing how the plot is weaving along to include yet another classic is almost as much fun as the superb acting and singing. The film of Mamma Mia! was pretty good too, with Maryl Streep proving she can sing for the first time to her usual film audience.

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