Review: Wild Rose A New Musical, Edinburgh Lyceum Theatre

Lisa in the theatre

Mar 156 min read

Updated: 6 days ago

Nicole Taylor's award-winning film Wild Rose had its world premier as a stage musical at the Royal Lyceum Theatre in Edinburgh last night. Directed by John Tiffany, Wild Rose: A New Musical features songs from American country music legends but has a story firmly rooted in Glasgow. Read on to find out what I loved about this sensational new Scottish musical.

Review: The Royal Lyceum Theatre, Edinburgh | 14 March 2025 (press night, world premier)

Wild Rose Production Photography ©2025 Mihaela Bodlovic

Wild Rose review | The Royal Lyceum Theatre, Edinburgh ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

Based on the hit 2018 film Wild Rose written by Nicole Taylor, Wild Rose the musical follows the same story, albeit simplified a little for the stage.

Rose-Lynn Harlan (Dawn Sievewright) is a working class woman from Glasgow who dreams of escaping to the USA, but who's confined by her family responsibilities and her past in Scotland. Country music runs through Rose-Lynn's veins. She's been singing at Glasgow's Grand Ole Opry since she was 14 years old and she's not going to let a stint in jail and two young kids hold her back from pursuing her goal of being a singer in Nashville.

But should she?

That's the intriguing question that lies at the heart of this drama.

In the new stage adaptation of Wild Rose we meet Rose-Lynn just as she's released from prison and returns home to find her steady job at the Glasgow Opry gone and her young children distant after spending a year living with their gran (Blythe Duff). When she reluctantly takes a job as a cleaner at the affluent home of Susannah (Janet Kumah), Rose-Lynn finds an unexpected champion for her talents in her new employer.

Susannah has money and she has contacts... Is Rose-Lynn's Nashville dream still alive after all?

Wild Rose cast. Production Photography ©2025 Mihaela Bodlovic

It's clear that Wild Rose the musical has an expert theatre director at the helm. The action races ahead with never a dull moment nor a line wasted. Every scene matters and, crucially for the success of a musical, every song moves the plot along or gives us an insight into a character's emotions.

John Tiffany's eye ensures that through precision lighting and uncluttered staging, the audience's attention is exactly where he wants it to be at any given time. The story is easy to follow and the pacing is impeccable; I was enthralled from beginning to end. Nicole Taylor's book has been adapted for the stage and directed to perfection here.

Is Wild Rose a jukebox musical?

The soundtrack for Wild Rose is brilliant. Beginning with a foot-stomping rendition of Primal Scream's Country Girl, and then onto the joyous disco-esque Baby I'm Burning by Dolly Parton, the first few songs set the tone for the upbeat, line dancing, toe-tapping first act. Packed with hits from country music legends including Dolly Parton, Carrie Underwood, Chris Stapleton and Patty Griffin, the soundtrack for the stage musical is arguably an improvement on that of the film.

There's plenty of variation too with Caitlyn Smith's stunning Tacoma the highlight of the ballads, alongside Wild Rose's original Critic's Choice 'Best Original Song' Glasgow (No Place Like Home) beautifully showcasing not only the range of the soundtrack but of the super-talented performers too. With country favourites such as Lynn Anderson's (I Never Promised You A) Rose Garden and Dolly's Coat of Many Colours making the cut too, this is a soundtrack that has been curated by someone with a deep love and rich knowledge of the international country music scene.

So is Wild Rose a country music jukebox musical? Sort of. It's a key plot point that Rose-Lynn has always performed cover songs but is later advised to find her own voice and write her own material in order to "make it" in the music industry. "Sing Your Own Song" is the musical's tagline. So it fits well with the narrative that all the songs bar one are plucked from country music's extensive back catalogue. Many of the songs are performed concert style, and with Sarah Travis and Davey Anderson's fresh arrangements played by an accomplished eight-piece live band who sit on stage throughout the entire show, it doesn't feel like a jukebox musical. It feels like a celebration of country music sung with a Scottish voice. Etherway it's wonderful, and it demands a cast recording immediately.

Dawn Sievewright as Rose Lynn Harlan in Wild Rose. Production Photography ©2025 Mihaela Bodlovic

What about the cast? Who's in Wild Rose the musical?

The company for Wild Rose at the Edinburgh Lyceum is made up of some of the best talent working in Scottish theatre today. From the opening scenes where we meet Rose-Lynn and a gang of colourful characters in a women's prison, through to nights at the Opry managed by no-nonsense Jackie (the achingly funning Louise McCarthy) - strong, Scottish, working-class women are at the forefront of this musical.

Rose-Lynn's own family is headed by one: long-suffering mum Marion (the brilliant Blythe Duff) is the epitome of an uncompromising Glasgow mum who practices tough love. And there are an abundance of delightful supporting roles played by the ensemble such as neighbour Amanda (the sublime Hannah Jarrett Scott) who had the audience in stitches with her every fleeting appearance. Wild Rose is full of actors at the top of their game who make the most of every moment and comedic opportunity. Music is absolutely at the heart of this musical, but it's overflowing with hilarious lines, intelligent observations and unforgettable characters too.

Front and centre of it all Dawn Sievewright is sublime as the tough, troubled but super talented Rose-Lynn Harlan. Sievewright's powerful vocals, compelling stage presence and direct turns of phrase will have you cheering her on despite the character's faults. Rose-Lynn is unapologetically Scottish, working class and sweary. She's a fascinating character and Sievewright is sensational - it's perfect casting.

Dawn Sievewright as Rose Lynn Harlan in Wild Rose and cast. Production Photography ©2025 Mihaela Bodlovic

Completing the lead cast Janet Kumah's elegant, supportive Susannah is warm and expertly pitched; and Rose-Lynn's children, played on press night by incredible young actors Lily Ferguson (Wynonna) and Alfie Campbell (Lyle), are both astonishingly good and hold their own amidst a sea of seasoned adult talent.

With an inspired set design that takes us from Glasgow to Nashville via large backcloths, bright neon signs and Lewis den Hertog's superb video design, and a slick, ever-changing central stage area, Wild Rose flows like clockwork from beginning to end with seriously impressive production values on display.

It may be "a new musical" but Wild Rose is already the full package. The music is sensational and should appeal, not just to musical theatre fans or to country music fans, but to everyone who appreciates a good tune. There's a super strong cast and a genuinely captivating storyline anchoring their performances. There's comedy, drama, heartbreak and line dancing!

Wild Rose deserves to be a roaring success, and if the ecstatic reaction from the audience on the night I saw the show is anything to go by, it already is. Grab your cowboy boots and run to the Edinburgh Lyceum for a ticket immediately. ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

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Wild Rose, a new musical is at The Royal Lyceum Theatre, Edinburgh from Thursday 6 March to Saturday 19 April 2025

Box Office: https://lyceum.org.uk/ 0131 248 4848 / boxoffice@lyceum.org.uk

🎟️ Tickets from £25 to around £52 (concessions available)

Wild Rose Running Time: Approx. 2h 30m, including interval

Warning: Contains strong language, recommended for ages 14+

Wild Rose Edinburgh Lyceum TICKET DEAL: £25 Secret Seats

The Royal Lyceum Theatre Edinburgh has announced that its popular Secret Seats will be available for Tuesday - Thursday evening performances of Wild Rose up until Thursday 17 April 2025. For £25 you can purchase an unreserved ticket for Wild Rose, and on the day of the show, the Lyceum will assign you one of the best available seats for that evening's performance.

For more information see: Lyceum Secret Seats