A Nostalgic but Flawed Musical Experience
Sing Street, the latest musical to hit the stage, is set in 1980s Dublin. However, it doesn’t offer any deep insights into the Ireland of that era. Instead, it leans heavily on the kitschy and nostalgic elements often associated with Irish culture, such as green beer or playful leprechauns. The show is more of a fantasy version of Ireland, focusing on the story of a teenage band that creates music filled with joy and pastiches of their favorite artists.
The musical is written by Enda Walsh, known for his work on Lazarus. However, this production doesn’t showcase much of his talent. It seems more like an extension of the 2016 film Sing Street, with a thin plotline that has been expanded with additional songs from the original songwriters, Gary Clark and John Carney. The show has been evolving since its off-Broadway premiere in 2019.
A Teenage Journey
The story follows 15-year-old Conor, played by Sheridan Townsley, who spots Raphina, a moody model, posing in a green phone booth. To impress her, he starts a band after learning about the decade's greatest hits from his older brother, Brendan. He gathers a group of friends, and they achieve their goals without facing any real challenges or suspense.
Director Rebecca Taichman’s production initially brings enough energy and style to make the predictable storyline somewhat engaging. The cast performs with enthusiasm, using retro graphics and props like boxy televisions on wheels for numbers like "Everything Stops for Top of the Pops." They also deliver fun tributes to classic acts, including a Duran Duran-inspired number and a Kate Bush-style emotional performance.
The Second Act Dips
However, as the second act progresses, the story's flaws become more apparent. There is little effort to fully develop the characters' world. The portrayal of Dublin as a place of poverty and boredom lacks depth, and there is no exploration of the dynamics between Raphina and the older man she is being groomed by. The female characters are underdeveloped, and the character of Brendan is given too much stage time, possibly due to Adam Hunter being the only actor from the original film. His performance includes a bizarre sofa ballet set to a song by The Smiths.
The ending is particularly problematic, devolving into an unexplained and overextended pop-punk concert that fails to resolve the many loose ends in the story. The finale feels strangely nihilistic and leaves many questions unanswered.
A Disappointing Experience
Overall, Sing Street feels determinedly simple-minded. It was originally intended for Broadway but had its run cut short by the pandemic. Much like teenagers kept home from school, it doesn't seem to have grown wiser in the interim. The show appears to be aimed at secondary school students, but it includes content that may not be appropriate, such as homophobic slurs and references to child sexual abuse used as a retro flavor.
Despite these issues, the performers give their all, with many making their professional debuts. The songs themselves are genuinely fun. If you can tune out the dialogue, you might just enjoy the experience.
Sing Street is currently playing at the Lyric Hammersmith Theatre until 23 August 2025.