16 – 21 May
Having to endure a torrential downpour on the way to the theatre isn’t always a good start to an evening, but when the show is Singin’ in the Rain and when it cuts up a storm of its own, it seems entirely appropriate.
The musical has its origins in the 1952 MGM film starring Gene Kelly, Donald O’Connor and Debbie Reynolds and is set in 1920’s Hollywood as movies made the awkward transition from silent to talking pictures. The movie is regularly voted as the most popular musical of all time and this production arrives as part of a national tour.
Original director Jonathan Church and choreographer Andrew Wright are reunited in breathing fresh life into classics such as ‘Good Morning,’ ‘Make Em Laugh’ and the eponymous ‘Singin’ In The Rain’ itself.
The story concerns Sam Lips as silent movie star Don Lockwood alongside co-star Lina Lamont (Jenny Gayner). Lina has the beauty, but unfortunately underneath that dumb blonde exterior is a dumb blonde interior complete with a tone-deaf, high-pitched grating accent. As she might say, a talking movie actor she ain’t. Enter Charlotte Gooch as Kathy Selden, the talented chorus girl who can act and sing like an angel. You can guess what happens next.
Portraying someone as iconic as Gene Kelly on stage would be beyond most performers, but Sam Lips doesn’t make heavy weather of it. He would be in the running for anyone’s image as a musical theatre star; his dancing, singing and all round stage presence are all there in glorious abundance and he carries the show from start to finish.
Kevin Clifton, from Strictly Come Dancing fame plays Cosmo Brown, Lockwood’s old friend and former vaudeville partner. He dances as superbly as expected and has a good comic presence throughout, which acts as a foil for his pal. His singing doesn’t quite reach the same heights, but we will take a rain check on that one.
Both Jenny Gayner as Lina and Charlotte Gooch as Kathy delight, the former with her effortless high kicking, graceful dancing and the latter with exquisite comic timing especially demonstrated in ‘What’s wrong with me?’
Simon Higlett’s gorgeous and versatile set design (including over 14,000 litres of water on stage every night) along with sharp lighting changes from designer Tim Mitchell capture the romance, excitement, and razzamatazz that you would expect from a top-notch musical.
Although the leads impress, the entire ensemble excels with their energy, superb choreography, and ability to cover all the parts in between. The costumes dazzle and the whole production is super slick and teeming with fun.
The standout moment is Sam Lips rendition of Singin’ in the Rain itself which perfectly succeeds in bringing to the stage a legendary movie moment. This is certainly no damp squib, although those sitting in the front of the stalls are advised to bring a mac. A great show which makes a tremendous splash and had the audience at the finale pouring their hearts out in a deluge of cheers.
★★★★☆ Bryan Mason 18th May
Photo credit: Johan Persson
