But it’s the lyrics, oh the lyrics, boy do they get you.
By the time the show’s title track is played in a moving hospital bedside scene there is hardly a dry eye in the jam-packed theatre as the rollercoaster of emotions we have been taken on leaves the awe-struck audience in the palm of the production’s hands.
I’m again fighting back tears (of happiness) when I’m Gonna Be (500 miles) inevitably brings the show to its rip-roaring climax.
Since director James Brining made his name bringing Sunshine to Leith to life while in charge of Dundee Rep in 2007 the show has toured the globe, won countless awards and become a smash hit movie blockbuster.
But a decade on the world has changed and Brining (now artistic director in Leeds) has re-booted the show to create a fresh jaw-dropping spectacle.
One of the biggest delights is the segue between the narrative and the songs of Fife Twins Craig and Charlie Reid.
Save Letter To America there is no clunky shoehorning as so often befalls jukebox musicals. Instead not only does the music fall seamlessly into place –it also plays a key role in moving the story along.
Stephen Greenhorn’s script tells the tale of two best friend soldiers Davy and Ally returning from the horrors of overseas war to their humble homes in Leith.
Steven Miller is superb as loveable Davy and is matched by an equally captivating performance from Neshla Caplan as girlfriend Liz – a hometown sweetheart determined to broaden her horizons.
Paul-James Corrigan (Ally) proves just as talented singing as acting while Jocasta Almgill’s Yvonne has the night’s biggest task of having to retain her Yorkshire accent as the only cast member not speaking or singing in a Scottish brogue.
Singing a Proclaimers song all alone in an English accent is tough enough – doing it alongside hordes of thick-as-morning porridge accents must be almost impossible. She manages it with aplomb.
In many ways it’s an updated Blood Brothers meets Mamma Mia with love, hope, loss and dark secrets from the past unravelling in a classic soap-opera style that beautifully balances simplicity with gentle nuances to keep challenging the grey matter.
Yet while the journey of the main characters’ search for self-identity takes many twists and turns at its heart is the simple question: “Would you walk 500 miles for the one you love?”
The 18-strong cast are all superb, with a supporting on-stage seven-piece band delivering a soundtrack that the brothers Reid would surely marvel at hearing. It’s almost three hours long but time flies by in the blink of an eye.
Clever re-workings of some of their songs give an added twist and it is great to hear female vocals instead of the Reid’s guttural originals.
The Proclaimers have a UK tour coming up later this year but they will have to go some to provide a better night out than this joyous event which also hits the road once it’s month-long run in Leeds comes to a conclusion.
At West Yorkshire Playhouse, Leeds, until 19th May. Tickets £13-£50.
Box office 0113 213 7700. Book online http://www.wyp.org.uk
