Singin' in the Rain

The choice of this particular show for their Centenary production was very apposite with it being set in 1920s Hollywood - at the time the society was being founded in 1925. The stage show is based on the 1952 Gene Kelly film of the same name and contains all the well known numbers from it like “Fit as a Fiddle”, “All I Do is Dream of You” and of course the title song “Singin’ in the Rain”. It was premiered at the London Palladium in 1983 with Tommy Steele as Don Lockwood and Roy Castle as Cosmo Brown (I remember seeing the show with the original cast!) before transferring to Broadway two years later. Chris Tunks made a perfect Don Lockwood – tall with matinee idol looks befitting a 1920s film star. In addition he had good acting skills - handling the love scenes with Kathy Seldon and the comedy scenes with Cosmo Brown with equal ease – along with a strong singing voice and excellent dancing skills as shown in the “Moses Supposes” number with Cosmo. Matthias Kremer as Cosmo Brown, Don’s life long friend and musical collaborator, once again proved his versatility with a great comic performance. His singing and dancing – particularly the tap - in the “Moses Supposes” and “Good Mornin’” numbers was excellent and his physical slapstick comedy timing in his solo “Make ‘em Laugh” was amazing. Alison Ozog as ingenue Kathy Seldon was outstanding. Her acting, singing in her renditions of “You Are My Lucky Star” and “Would You” and dancing – particularly in the showstopping “Good Mornin’ " with Don and Cosmo – were all top class. Serenity Harbor, as the antagonist of the piece Lena Lamont, was born to play this iconic role - revelling in every vindictive phrase and action (as well as the glamour of a silent movie star) but almost winning the audience over in the character’s solo “What’s Wrong With Me?” in Act 2. Strong support was given by Trevor Nicol (studio owner R F Simpson), David Saunders (Director Roscoe Dexter), Neil Macdonald (PR man Rod) and Nicola Gray (Radio Journalist Dora Bailey). Mention too must be made of Joey MacRae and Georgia Gardiner as the young Don and Cosmo respectively in the Graumann’s Chinese Theatre scene. There is not a lot for the ensemble in this show but their singing and movement in “Broadway Melody”, “Singin’ in the Rain” reprise and “Beautiful Girl” - led by Matt Tyrer’s Production Singer surrounded by a bevy of beauties - were well delivered. The 17 piece orchestra under Fiona Stuart’s strong leadership made a delightful sound. Costuming was appropriate to the characters and the era and the scene changes were well handled and did not impede the flow of the action. Congratulations to everyone at Inverness Musical Theatre for a superb show fully deserving of the standing ovation from the first night audience.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

© NODA CIO. All rights reserved.