Singin' In The Rain

‘Singing in the Rain’ is the story of Don Lockwood and his leading lady, Lina Lamont. The film studio has factitiously paired the couple in a romantic way to advertise their shows and please their audiences. When Don meets Kathy and falls in love for real Lina shows her true colours and finally threatens to sue. The orchestra provided excellent accompaniment throughout despite being rather overloud and brassy in the overture and entr’acte before the second half. The costumes were excellent and both the lighting and special effects were truly dramatic. The technical team had also produced a very authentic representation of the first test screening of the studio’s new ‘talking pictures’.                              

This was a toe-tapping production from start to finish superbly directed and choreographed by Tony Bright. The main characters were extremely well cast with very competent support from the rest of the society. Cameron Rowell filled the part of Don Lockwood, made famous by Gene Kelly. It was no mean feat to follow in those illustrious footsteps, he showed himself to be an excellent performer in song, dance and acting bringing the part to life in every respect. Chris Dale as his close friend Cosmo Brown was outstanding. Although I have seen the show many times before, he still made me laugh out loud. He was magnificent!! These two talented men were brilliant in ‘Moses Supposes’ when they were joined by a great favourite of mine, Howard Collis.  It was lovely to see him back on stage again. Musically the two most famous numbers, ‘Good Morning’ and ‘Singing in the Rain’ were real show stoppers, the latter being very cleverly lit to portray rain. It worked really well.

Emily Falkner, at the young age of 17, played the part of Kathy Seldon, getting stronger and more confident as the show progressed. This is another demanding part requiring excellent dancing and she was more than proficient in that department. Daisy O’Sullivan performed the fourth lead role as the spiteful Lena Lamont, with great confidence. With the incredible grating voice and her scene in the dressing room with the mirror she was totally memorable.

Chris Hampton and Kevin Summers both gave sterling performances and all the other principals added well to this amusing production and the Ensemble, too many to mention by name, moved and sang well in the musical numbers. Each routine was energetic and inventive and very well executed. I loved the finale and walk down finishing the production with a ‘feel good’ pizzazz.  

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