This was a vibrant, rousing joie de vivre production of SINGIN IN THE RAIN, an adaptation of the famous film starring Gene Kelly and Debbie Reynolds.
In. ‘Singin’ In Rain’ Don and Lina are a well renowned, famous silent movie couple. Times are changing and the talkies are coming in after the success of the movie The Jazz Singer. Studio boss R.F. Simpson is intent on starting to make talkies and wants his two biggest stars to be in the film. The film is to be a musical and is called The Dancing Cavalier
There is a complication in that Lina has a terribly shrill voice/strine, unsuited to the new world of the talkies. Don has met a woman Kathy who he has fallen in love with. She has a great voice. A meeting between Don and RF sees them decide to dub Lina’s voice with Kathy’s. When Lina finds out she is livid and wants to sue the studio.
The show had a great set. The main part of the set was a large screen at the back centre of the stage- (there were also windows on either side) – on which images depicting different locations and old movie footage, devised for the show) were displayed. The default setting for the screen simply had the show’s title in light, with of-course the umbrella. As an aside there was also a cut out cardboard show poster in the foyer which many people posed in front of for pics.
Kathy Petrakis directs a very vibrant production. She wins good performances from the cast. Christopher Brennan. gives a very smooth, assured performance as Don Lockwood and proves himself a genuine triple threat.
Bronte Tonks impressed playing the role of his love, the very wholesome Kathy Seldon.
Veronica Clavijo gave a great comic performance as the shrill voiced, ditz Lina Lamont.
Alan Rosengarten made for the very credible studio boss, R.F.Simpson, known simply as R.F.
Michael Osborne stood out as Don Lockwood’s best friend Cosmo Brown and his dancing was particularly impressive.
These performers were supported by. an impressive supporting cast. The dance sequences were exhilarating and included some great tap dancing.
Through the show an array of colourful costumes were a constant delight.
Chris Bamford’s choreographic design was clear and assured. Musical Director Thomas McCorquodale led a very fine orchestra who was in great form and contributed greatly to the show.
The score by Nacio Herb Brown and Arthur Freed (incidentally the book is by Betty Comdin and Adolph Green) is full of catchy songs that were were well performed by the cast. Favourite songs included the languid ‘You stepped out of dream’, the up tempo ‘Make me laugh’, the chirpy ‘Good morning’ and the optimistic ‘Lucky Star’.
Then there was of-course the classic ‘Singin’ In The Rain’ song which closed Act 1 and was the glorious finale in Act 2. Rain or more to the point water didn’t actually fall on the stage. Instead a clever lighting design making it look like there was rain falling. All the umbrellas popped up up’ in an assortment of colours.
Recommended and refreshing, especially if you want a lift in these difficult times, SINGIN’ IN THE RAIN.is playing the Rockdale Town Hall until Saturday 14th March, 2020.
http://www.rockdalemusicalsociety.com/
