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Show: Singin’ in the Rain
Society: New Victoria Theatre (professional productions)
Venue: New Victoria Theatre. The Ambassadors, The Peacocks Centre, Woking, Surrey GU21 6GQ
Credits: Based on the classic MGM film. Screenplay by Betty Comden & Adolph Green. Songs by Nacio Herb Brown & Arthur Freed. Produced by Michael Harrison & Jonathan Church presenting The Chichester Festival Theatre & Stage Entertainment Production.
Type: Sardines
Performance Date: 29/03/2022
Singin’ in the Rain
All photos: Manuel Harlan
The critically acclaimed 2012 Chichester Festival Theatre production of one of MGM’s all-time favourites is back and somehow is now touring the UK – together with 6,000 litres of water every night! What’s more, ten years after starring in the Chichester stage production, Adam Cooper has stepped back into Gene Kelly’s shoes – and if the first press night (at Woking’s New Victoria Theatre) of the tour is anything to go by, it’s simply brilliant.
If any non-professional musical companies are thinking about doing this show, then you have to catch this show when it tours near to you. It captures the Golden Era of Hollywood perfectly and that’s essential.
Before I continue I have to say that I was delighted to see Briana Craig as part of the ensemble. The last time we met was a few months ago on an old London Routemaster bus with Shane Richie as we were getting ready for Wimbledon’s pantomime However that time the Scottish lass was dressed as Dick Whittington’s cat. Tonight the green dress probably did her one or two more favours.
Moving on, we’ll be featuring our interview with the multi-talented Charlotte Gooch (Kathy Selden) and Adam Cooper’s Q&A in our next issue (no.59 – June-July). They have unfortunately been delayed after another cast member’s interview didn’t come to fruition. Also, at Woking’s press night, Alastair Crosswell stepped into play Cosmo Brown wonderfully; you really wouldn’t have known – I didn’t realise until I was told during the interval.
The fourth star at the top of the bill is Faye Tozer of Steps fame (and Strictly). She has the difficult task of being much worse than she actually is. Lina Lamont is the co-star opposite Don Lockwood, who sounds squeekily awful so, when talking pictures become fashionable, the star falls out of favour with the studio. Tozer is exceptional and is obviously prepared to laugh at herself. Bravo!
As our leading pair, how do you follow Gene Kelly and Debbie Reynolds? Well, Cooper and Gooch are extraordinary together and rightly had a ball tonight in front of a packed auditorium. Cooper appeared to thoroughly enjoy kicking water over the first few rows during the show’s pre-interval title number. Equally, Gooch together with Cooper and Crosswell made light work of tipping a bench in Good Morning. That said, Andrew Wright (Choreography), Simon Higlett (Set and Costume Design), Tim Mitchell (Lighting) and Gareth Owen (Sound) all come together under Jonathan Church’s sympathetic direction to create a production worthy of a downpour.
Grant Walsh’s nine-piece orchestra stay beautifully faithful to the original feel of the MGM film, and I’m pleased he was dragged onstage during the bows. The entire orchestra was completely concealed throughout the show – with the removal of the traditional orchestra pit in front of the stage.
Catch this show if you love that classic feel; it’s got the lot!