Joyful and exuberant this superb, slick, sleek production of SINGIN’ IN THE RAIN has splashed its way to Sydney’s Lyric Theatre. This is a revival of British director Jonathon Church’s very successful 2011 production for the Chichester Theatre.
Set in 1927 the classic musical tells the story of Kathy Seldon’s rise to stardom during the transition from silent movies to talkies. What we see is pretty much a stage version of film, slickly superbly staged in an incredibly energetic performance . It is a reverent yet exuberantly inventive recreation of the film.
As designed by Simon Higlett and lit by Tim Mitchell, the sophisticated, elegant yet simple set transforms the performing space into a sound stage at a movie studio. This design allows for plenty of fluid, flexible scene changes.
There is also, at times, a pop-up screen onto which some very funny and cleverly shot black and white film segments of Lockwood and Lamont’s silent screen romance The Dueling Cavalier, whose conversion to sound is an integral part of the story.
The magnificent fourteen piece orchestra under the elegant baton of musical director Adrian Kirk was bright, agile and finely nuanced and played with a glittering, warm tone.
Andrew Wright’s challenging choreography for the show includes several styles of dance ranging from soft shoe shuffle, tap, ballet and showbiz numbers, with plenty of allusions to An American In Paris, Chicago, Oklahoma and the Busby Berkley films and others.
Kathy Selden, our leading lady, is enchantingly played by Gretel Scarlett who gives a stellar performance; lovely and lyrical for example in You Are My Lucky Star in Act 1, glowing in Would You? in Act 2 and breathlessly excited in Good Mornin’. And that is not to forget the duet that she does with Grant Almirall which is another great highlight.
Kathy radiates sweetness, yet manages to add a just hidden sensuality with youthful innocence in Kathy’s slowly blossoming romance with Don.
Our hero, ex vaudevillian now leading film star Don Lockwood is magnificently played by the debonairly handsome Grant Almirall. ( Readers are likely aware to be aware that Adam Garcia was to play the role but has been sidelined as he tore a calf muscle on stage in Melbourne and is out of the show for several weeks).
Almirall is tremendous – he charismatically steals the show with You Stepped Out of A Dream and charms his way into Kathy’s, and charms his way into Cathy and our hearts. He seemingly can’t put a foot wrong and has the audience cheering, splashing buoyantly around in the eponymous number that takes us to interval. Almirall has a fine singing voice and handles the demanding athleticism of the assorted dance styles terrifically.
Don’s best friend Cosmo Brown is spectacularly portrayed by rubbery Jack Chambers , and we hark back to ‘the good old days ‘of silent picture slapstick comedy ( of Chaplin and Keaton in style) particularly in the precisely timed breathlessly exuberant Make Em Laugh . Much fun is had with the tongue twisting lyrics of the jazz patter song Moses Supposes.
Erika Heynatz has much fun hogging the limelight as the delightfully wicked, scheming movie starlet Lina Lamont. Glamorous and sultry, yet mean and vain she has the looks of Marilyn Monroe – but that voice!
As abrupt, ruthless movie producer, RF Simpson, forever giving orders, Mike Bishop epitomizes those old Hollywood movie directors in a stand-out performance.
The ensemble cast comprising twenty or so performers are brilliant and vibrant in the company numbers such as All I Do, Good Mornin’, and You Are My Lucky Star and the everyone in finale of Singin’ in the Rain featuring a spectacular combination of colourful, twirling umbrellas, pelting rain and high energy dancing.
Grab your umbrella – this show will take Sydney by storm.
Running time 2 hours 40 (roughly) including one interval.
SINGIN IN THE RAIN is now playing at the Sydney Lyric Theatre and is currently selling until 4 September.