Rebecca Taichman's production of Sing Street brings Enda Walsh's musical adaptation of John Carney's beloved 2016 film to vibrant life at the Lyric Hammersmith. Set against the backdrop of 1982 Dublin, this coming-of-age tale follows 16-year-old Conor Lawlor, struggling with the typical teenage trials of home and school, who impulsively claims to have a band in order to impress the enigmatic aspiring model Raphina.
Sheridan Townsley makes a charismatic stage debut as our earnest hero Conor, bringing both vulnerability and determination to the role as he navigates the complexities of first love and artistic ambition. Grace Collender commands attention as the mysterious Raphina, embodying the kind of magnetic presence that would indeed inspire a teenage boy to form a band overnight. The supporting ensemble, including Adam Hunter as Conor's older brother Brendan and Lloyd Hutchinson as the intimidating Brother Baxter, creates a convincing world of 1980s Dublin with its mix of familial warmth and institutional authority.
Taichman's direction, building on her successful 2022 Boston production, maintains a buoyant energy throughout, skillfully balancing the story's more poignant moments with its infectious musical numbers. Sonya Tayeh's choreography captures the raw enthusiasm of teenage musicians discovering their sound, while Bob Crowley's design work effectively transforms the Lyric's intimate space into everything from bedrooms to school halls to makeshift concert venues.
The score by John Carney and Gary Clark embraces the new wave sounds that defined the decade, creating original songs that feel authentically 80s while serving the narrative's emotional beats. The music becomes the heartbeat of the production, driving both the romantic subplot and Conor's journey toward self-discovery.
While the familiar coming-of-age narrative occasionally treads well-worn ground, the production's affection for its characters and its celebration of music's transformative power make it consistently engaging. This UK premiere proves that some stories about young love, artistic passion, and the courage to chase your dreams are worth revisiting, especially when delivered with such evident joy and musical sophistication.
Sing Street may not reinvent the wheel, but it spins that wheel with enough charm and 80s-infused energy to make for an thoroughly enjoyable evening that will have you humming its melodies long after the final curtain call.
It runs until 23 August. Tickets: here.
Photos: Manuel Harlan