Review: Sing Street (Lyric Hammersmith)

Review by Daz Gale

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

London is no stranger to John Carney’s films adapted for the stage, with Once enjoying two years in the West End, following a highly successful run on Broadway. This time around, one of his other films is skipping Broadway (though it was originally planned to open there in 2020) and heading to London as Sing Street enjoys a limited run at Lyric Hammersmith ahead of a hopeful West End run. Would audiences be singing the praises of this stage musical, or would Carney find his success on stage in London only happens once?

Based on Carney’s 2016 movie, Sing Street is set in Dublin in 1985 as sixteen-year-old Conor faces a turbulent life both at home and at school, moving to a new Catholic school where he doesn’t quite fit in. Attempting to impress a mysterious girl he meets, he asks her to star in a music video for his band. All he has to do now is actually form a band. Sooner than you can say “Where’s Simon Cowell when you need him”, Sing Street is formed - would this band be their ticket to a better life, and what power does music actually hold over us?

While the original movie has its own following, and I happen to be a fan of Carney’s other movie, Begin Again (when are we getting a stage adaptation of that?), I had never seen the movie of SIng Street before. After a trip to the rehearsal room of the musical several weeks ago, I was advised I should watch it before seeing the show in the theatre but I didn’t want to be influenced or start comparing to the movie and felt it was better to go in with a clean slate, not knowing where the story was going, taking it on its own merits and, hopefully, falling in love with it. Fall in love I did.

Enda Walsh’s writing beautifully paints the picture of 1980s Dublin, complete with culture and the music scene, in a story full of heart and humour. There is a poignancy to Conor’s situation at home, as well as his siblings, who are both going through their own issues in the troubled family home. These subjects are delicately explored, though not in as much detail as I would like, which feels especially a shame when it comes to Brenda’s agoraphobia storyline. The mix between Carney’s original writing and Walsh’s adaptation leads to a story full of riches with characters you fall in love with, and a show that always has one eye on the joy it brings. 

Direction from Rebecca Taichman brings the story to life with some bold choices, most of which work beautifully and complement the story. There were a couple of slight missteps in this that I felt detracted from the story, namely an early musical scene involving Conor’s brother, Brendan in a bizarre sequence with a sofa, that felt at odds with the tone elsewhere. The other moment came near the show’s climax as a character left the stage through the audience, feeling almost pantomime-esque in its execution. These two moments aside, Taichman’s direction elevated the writing at a pretty consistent hit rate.

A fairly bare stage comes alive through Luke Halls’ video design, transporting you to the 80s, with Natasha Katz’s lighting giving the feel of a concert at times. The most exciting visual aspect is undoubtedly Lisa Zinni's fun and playful costume design, with nods to the era and other artists from the time in a series of satisfyingly outlandish and even chaotic looks for the band, giving them an added aesthetic. Sing Street always sounds every bit as good as it looks, thanks to Gareth Owen’s crystal clear sound design, making sure nothing is lost even in the loudest musical numbers.

There are two elements that really made this production… well, sing. The first of which is the music. The songs by Gary Clark and John Carney are simply glorious. Full of addictive earworms, you sometimes forget you are listening to an original score and not watching a jukebox musical of an existing band - that speaks volumes for the immeasurable high quality of these songs. Packed with hit after hit after hit, numbers such as ‘Drive It Like You Stole It’ and the incredible standout ‘Up’ are brilliantly well-crafted songs that fit into the story and form the real heart of Sing Street. The fact I had a previous cast recording playing on the way home speaks volumes for the strength of these numbers. These songs alone make Sing Street worth seeing.

As amazing as the songs are, they have competition when it comes to the biggest strength of Sing Street , and that is thanks to the phenomenal cast. Predominantly filled with young performers, many of whom are making their professional debut, the level of talent on that stage is mind-blowing, with not a weak link to be found. Sheridan Townsley leads the pack confidently with an assured and charismatic turn as Conor. Between their vocals, acting ability, and stage presence, they debut as a force to be reckoned with and will certainly be one to watch in the years to come.

With all cast members playing their own instruments on stage, the talents between them always impress, making the stage burst with life in a beautiful noise. Matthew Philip, Seb Robinson, Harry Curley, Indiana Hawkes, and Jesse Nyakudya make up the other members of the band, with Nyakudya also impressing with his characterisation of Eamon. Cameron Hogan is a comic highlight as Darren, with Jenny Fitzpatrick wonderfully keeping order (and a reminder not all adults are problematic) in her turn as Sandra.

Sing Street is the perfect reminder of the power of music and the joy it can bring. When it’s done right, it can lift moods and even save lives. Theatre has the same effect, and it is the combination of both here that makes this musical so completely joyous. Though not completely perfect, the imperfections actually add to the charm, and while not every choice landed with maximum impact, the strength of the songs and the ridiculously sensational cast alone make this one musical I can’t recommend enough. Cute and charming at times, while holding more weight than the story would initially have you believe, dare I say I found this musical to be streets ahead of Once? One thing’s for sure, when it comes to creating hit musicals on stage, lighting certainly strikes twice.

SIng Street plays at Lyric Hammersmith until 23rd August. Tickets from https://allthatdazzles.londontheatredirect.com/musical/sing-street-tickets

Photos by Manuel Harlan