Wild Rose – Royal Lyceum Theatre

Rose-Lynn Harlan loves country music and is pretty good at singing it too. Her burning ambition is to sing at The Grand Ole Opry in Nashville. The trouble is, she’s just been released from prison and has a tag on her ankle. Whilst Rose-Lynn was incarcerated, her mother has been looking after her two children and now thinks her family deserve her presence and attention. Set in Glasgow, it turns out that Glasgow has its own Grand Ole Opry, (who knew?) and Rose-Lynn gets a job as a cleaner. The rest is fairly standard and predictable. Mother give Rose-Lynn the money to go to Nashville, Rose-Lynn realises what’s really important and the final song, “Glasgow (no place like home)” says it all.

But this show isn’t about the narrative, it’s about the music, and if you like country music, you’ll love this. Adapted for the stage from the 2019 film, both written by Nicole Taylor, the thirteen songs are belted out with high energy from the whole cast. Dawn Sievewright (Rose-Lynn) has a most beautiful tone to her voice and displays competency in a range of numbers, from slow and sentimental to up-beat rock. Blythe Duff, better known to many for her role in Taggart, plays Marion, the mother, and is a very accomplished singer with a delightful voice. Janet Kumah as Susannah and Louise McCarthy as Jackie displayed great skill in both singing and acting. Director John Tiffany ensures the show zips along with pace and energy, while giving us light and shade between the musical numbers and Rose-Lynn’s relationship with her family. Choreographers Steven Hogget and Vicki Manderson kept it simple, with standard line dancing numbers, perfectly in keeping with the genre.

The eight piece band, who also provided backing vocals, were on stage throughout, occupying an upstage dais. Chloe Lamford’s set design was sparse, but effective, allowing room for the line dancing numbers. A table and chairs were brought on to represent the home, but I do wish they could have been placed on stage where everyone in the theatre could see. The sides of the grand circle in the Lyceum do not allow for anyone seated in the second row at stage left (as I was) to see what is immediately below them, so I heard the domestic scenes rather than saw them. Rather frustrating, especially as it could so easily have been better placed. The two children were played by Lily Ferguson as Wynona and Alfie Campbell as Lyle. Both were charming and affecting in their roles. There was even a vocal cameo from “whispering” Bob Harris.

The costumes, by Katrina Lindsay, were typically country and western, all cowboy boots and fringed leather jackets. I suppose one could call this a “feel good” show; certainly the music is uplifting and although Rose-Lynn doesn’t quite achieve her dream, she finds out what really matters most and returns to Glasgow content.

Reviewer: H.S.Baker

Reviewed: 14th March 2025

North West End UK Rating: