Singin' in the Rain

Though this is my first NODA review for KHW, I have seen most of their shows this century and therefore am well aware how well run a company it is on every level.

Reading the cast programme notes, it was heartening to see how grateful the young performers are to those who work so diligently and painstakingly on their behalf, whether in acting, music, dance, costumes and so much more as well.   Performing and rehearsing at this delightful real community theatre, so lovingly maintained by local volunteers is a real privilege and this too is clearly not lost on these spirited young players.

"Singin' in the Rain" is such a well known and well loved show, containing the most iconic musical scene of all time in the title number. Even Morecambe and Wise have performed it - there is no finer tribute!

Set in 1927 at the birth of the "talkies" the story is pure Hollywood, with glitz, glamour, fabulous dancing and music, costumes to die for, intrigue, pathos, cattiness, tenderness and a happy ending. What more could an ageing NODA reviewer possibly desire!

KHW have sent several of their past members into the professional musical theatre world - as the "Where are they now" page in the fulsome programme told us.  There will certainly be more following in their talented footsteps from this sparkling production. It is noteworthy that all are no older than eighteen, with a large number much younger still.  

With no less than fifty-six on a far from spacious stage, much sensible use of the auditorium was made for company numbers. This is common in many Barn Theatre productions, not only for space reasons but also as it tends to bring the audience right into the heart of the action, which theatrically speaking, is usually most effective.

The plot, in brief, is as follows:-

Don Lockwood and Cosmo Brown are an established stage song and dance double act and firm friends, but Don is the one who also has star quality and has teamed up with Lina Lamont to make some well loved romantic silent movies. Lina has fooled herself that Don cares for her off screen, as well as on, but he has little time for her and her shallowness as a person. When Don meets Kathy Seldon in the park and immediately falls for her, the plot starts to really develop.

The ghastly real voice of the glamorous but Diva-like Lina is totally unsuitable for the new talkies which the studio is to make. Kathy, though an unknown budding actress, has a lovely speaking and singing voice and, hidden out of the audience's sight, her voice is dubbed for the precious Lina.

Lina, unable to stomach the fact that Don cares for Kathy and not for her makes trouble for Don and the studio and is only finally stopped when the curtain hiding Kathy is opened, revealing Kathy as the true star, leaving Lina humiliated and furious.

William Huke, a really gifted actor / singer with real leading man star quality and style, dominated the stage throughout as the charming, vulnerable, but immensely likeable Don Lockwood. William shows a nifty and nimble dance routine too, despite his rather modest programme notes. William has an outstanding talent that will serve him well in his ambition to enter the profession. I have seen him develop his many roles in KHW over the years and he rightly acknowledges the huge debt owed to the various regular company directors. Singing voices with the beautiful  natural tone that William possesses, are none too common at his age. I wish you every luck William.

Florence Budge playing the catty, glamorous but none too nice Lina, was really marvellous. The ghastly voice she had to maintain throughout never wavered and she displayed great stage presence, really getting inside this unpleasant, yet vulnerable character.

Sean Wareing playing the very likeable Cosmo Brown was a perfect foil in his stage partnership and friendship with Don. A hugely charismatic young man on stage for certain and, though I don't know him at all,  I strongly suspect this obvious charisma is natural offstage too. His personality and energy really shone through - a really good stage presence and all round performer.

The last of the big four lead roles was given by Blanche Brown as the elegant Kathy Seldon. From her first "forced" meeting with Don on the park bench through to the finale of the show she showed herself as a classy and talented lady with a special singing voice. Like the other leading players Blanche was very suitably cast in this demanding role.                   

Henry Chappell, with suitably greyed hair, was a fine R.F. Simpson, head of the studio, showing a nice line in angst and frustration whilst remaining quite fearsome yet decent to his staff. Henry was well cast and his imposing physicality was a great advantage.          

Will Roberts was a fine Roscoe, the director, keen to make his views known, but always anxious to please his boss R. F. Simpson. Will brought a real individual comedic character to the role.

Summer Park as Miss Dinsmore was angst personified at her failure in vocally coaching Lina. A truly comedic and beautifully acted scene. Summer managed to seem so much older than her actual tender years, something not easily achieved by younger people.

I loved James Slater's camp playing of the Male Diction Coach. This made for a hugely enjoyable scene with Don and Cosmo. A memorable role!

Abigail Coskun was a bubbly gossip columnist and personality, playing Dora Bailey in charismatic style. Abigail was also the Violinist. Edward Cowlard was a realistic Policeman exuding authority. Jack Palmer played Rod, the Monumental pictures publicity  manager / agent with high energy. Zoe Kirk imbued the shallow flapper Zelda with a watchable attitude aplenty and managed to be just about the only person on set who was friendly with the awful Lina.

Will, Edward and Jack, together with Monty Camisa-Bundy did really well too as the Production Singers. All showed distinct talent.

There were many other smaller cameo roles not specifically credited and he evident teamwork throughout the entire company was a major factor in the show's success.

Dance routines were really good with some excellent dancers showing rare style and aplomb. Choreographer Andrea Atkinson has clearly driven her company to heights, some (from their own programme biogs.) thought would be difficult to attain. The true art is to make it look easy and show your enjoyment. KHW succeeded brilliantly in doing so.

The music under the control of Michael Burbidge and his superb seven strong band was of top quality. Despite the youthful voices on stage, I was able to clearly hear all the singing, which is not often the case in most shows. Soloists in general were good or excellent. My favourite song performance was by Lina in "What's wrong with me?", where the character's insecurity and bewilderment were superbly put over by Florence.

Other vocal favourites of mine were "Good Morning" (Don, Kathy and Cosmo), "You Stepped out of a Dream" (Don and chorus), "All I do is Dream of You" (Kathy and Girls), "Make 'em Laugh" (Cosmo), "Singin' in the Rain" (Don) and the company finale of the same song.  The legendary scene and song was well enacted with Don and coloured umbrella under the edge of a roof and seemingly avoiding getting wet. A very young and rather charming very young boy - name not separately programme credited - made a notable appearance and played a key part in the success of the most iconic and well loved scene in musical comedy history.                                                     

Costumes were provided by the indefatigable talents of the amazing Sally Dallosso. Some were hired from Elizabeth Callow, another in similar vein. Monica Mickels too, along with several cast members' mothers lent their considerable talents to this Herculian task. These three ladies have been making, mending and storing costumes for countless decades between them and KHW - along with other societies at The Barn and further afield are indeed fortunate to have people of this calibre. Costumiers work harder than many even begin to realise and without them there would be no quality musicals at all.

Sally is also the show producer and company manager and co-founder with Andrea. These costumes were sumptuous by any standard, well fitted too and to see all the yellow raincoats, wellies and rainbow brollies for the finale was an incredible effect.

I want also to mention Jackie Huke, Tom Gardner and Gavin Jackson, assistants to the producer, director and M.D. (and violin) respectively. KHW are indeed fortunate in the people they attract off stage as well as on stage.

Ryan Parsons was set designer, doing a splendid and highly effective job.    Lighting design was by John Beer, whom I must assume was also operating the lights (which was not separately credited in the programme). The changing colours in the backdrop were wonderfully worked. The opening set of Graumann's Theatre with brick wall, fence of railings and shrubs behind was so special. I also much liked the picture montage of the greats, including the legendary Chaplin, no less!

Director Sarah Morrison's direction was inspirational, drawing the audience right into the action by full use of the auditorium entrances and exits. The many scenes ran seamlessly too with wonderful work from the numerous stage team under Ryan Parsons and Grace Easthope as stage managers.

The use of the stage as a cinema with screen, studio set (I loved the hydrangea hiding the mic. for Lina, by the way!), park, Don's house and many more beside was highly effective and the chemistry between Don and Kathy, plus various other principal relationships were painstakingly worked on by Sarah.

A word for the easily readable, detailed and well designed programme with good cast biogs. and pictures, which are always my favourite reading. With no mention of your NODA membership, nor our crest or aims, unfortunately the programme is ineligible for consideration for our South East programme award, which is a pity. It would otherwise have been among the stronger contenders.  Perhaps next year?

In summary then, a superb show with pace, good diction, believable American accents (on the whole), great dance and tap routines, tuneful music allied to some top quality singing, costumes to die for and a vibrancy which elevated what is by itself already a wonderful story, into an evening that will long live in the memory.

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