Review: LET THE SUN SHINE!, Grosvenor Park Open Air Theatre
Photo credit: Supplied by the production
Storyhouse in the Park, set in the heart of Grosvenor Park in Chester, is hosting four productions this summer: Nell Gwynn, Peter Pan, Outlaws, and this evening's performance of Let The Sun Shine! This original Storyhouse production aims to transport audiences back to the swinging 60s, drawing on the decade's musical revolution and colourful aesthetic.
The in-the-round theatre in Grosvenor Park is transformed into the 1960s as we meet Arthur (David Ahmad), his wife Veronica (Rebecca Bainbridge), and their son Harry (Lucas Button), who run the family's greengrocer's shop in the years following the war. Their quiet village life is shared with regular customer Joan (Kate Milner-Evans), who is still coming to terms with the loss of her son, who died while serving in the RAF. When a musical festival is announced for a nearby farm, the close-knit community finds itself on the brink of change. Drawn into the excitement for very different reasons, Harry and Joan each embark on a personal journey as the festival begins to challenge the familiar rhythms of village life.
The cast, who are also performing Outlaws in repertory, once again showcase their versatility. Performing two completely different productions on alternate performances is no small feat, requiring them to switch between entirely different characters, stories, and styles. The fact that they are also accomplished musicians only makes their achievement even more impressive.
Lucas Button is an endearing presence as Harry, capturing the character's youthful innocence and naivety with warmth and sincerity. Kate Milner-Evans is a standout as Joan, effortlessly balancing sharp comedic timing with genuine emotional depth, ensuring every moment she is on stage feels authentic. As Puck, Abigail Middleton keeps the audience firmly involved throughout, confidently leading the production's audience participation with infectious energy and quick wit, helping to maintain the show's lively atmosphere.
Audience participation is always a difficult balance to get right. As productions become increasingly immersive, there's a fine line between making the audience feel involved and disrupting the flow of the performance. Let The Sun Shine! delivers mixed results. From encouraging the audience to stand and embrace the atmosphere as the festival begins, to inviting ‘volunteers’ on stage throughout the performance, and even teaching everyone a melody to sing along to, the ambition is clear and the ideas themselves are engaging. However, not every moment lands as intended.
During a maypole dancing sequence involving audience members, the lack of microphones means Abigail Middleton's villager character is drowned out by chatter, laughter, and general noise from those taking part. Rather than adding to the scene, it becomes a distraction, and it takes some time for the production to regain the audience's focus. Unfortunately, the performance also had to contend with factors beyond its control. A helicopter hovering low overhead for much of the first act repeatedly interrupted quieter moments, while an unexpected show stop just before the Act One climax, due to sound issues, further disrupted the momentum. Combined, these interruptions made it difficult for the production to fully hold the audience's attention at crucial points. The cast did, however, do what they could.
Helen Redcliffe's script raises fascinating questions, but too often it introduces an idea only to leave it behind before it has had time to develop. It touches on themes that were as relevant in the 1960s as they are today, including the voting age and women's bodily autonomy, yet these moments feel more like passing references than meaningful conversations. Rather than allowing these ideas to develop, the script quickly moves on, leaving them feeling unexplored. The first act feels like it is waiting for something to happen. There is a sense that the production is holding back until the festival arrives, and it is only once darkness falls across Grosvenor Park that the world of the show really begins to come alive. However, this is where Ieuan Reeve’s lighting design shines and really evokes the time period of the setting.
By the second act, the focus shifts towards Harry's journey and the idea of parents learning to let go as their children grow up. While this provides the emotional resolution, it arrives rather suddenly and doesn't feel fully earned. The ending feels like it belongs to a different play, leaving the production feeling uncertain about what it ultimately wants to say.
Whilst the piece may not be Storyhouse’s strongest work, it reminds us that theatre is often about more than what happens on stage. The atmosphere, the setting, and the shared sense of occasion are all part of the appeal, and judging by the audience response at the end, those elements clearly resonated. An evening at Storyhouse in the Park is always a memorable experience, and while Let the Sun Shine! doesn’t fully recapture the spirit of the time period, it still provides an enjoyable and nostalgic glimpse into a decade that continues to captivate audiences.
There are moments when you can see exactly what Storyhouse is aiming for, a communal celebration under the stars, it just doesn’t quite sustain that magic throughout.
*** Three stars
Reviewed by: Jordan Potts
Let The Sun Shine! plays at Grosvenor Park Open Air Theatre until 23 August, with further info here.