Singin In the Rain at Mayflower Theatre, Southampton Review

Reviewed by Joy Blake

‘Have you got coats?’ are not the first words I expect to hear when being shown to my seat at the start of a show at The Mayflower Theatre. However, sitting in the front rows of this energetic and fizzing production of ‘Singing in the Rain,’ I need it! Splashing and sploshing the audience is obviously an enjoyable bonus for the cast of the show.
Based on the classic MGM film of the same name, the show, set in Hollywood 1927, takes us back to the era of silent movies, glamorous stars, the coming of ‘talkies’ and the birth of the musical. At its heart though is a sweet – girl meets boy, girl overcomes scheming rival to win boy – narrative, with the classic ‘a star is born’ theme thrown in. The screen play by Comden and Green is a vehicle for the songs of Nacio Herb Brown and Arthur Freed but at its heart this is all about the dance.

For anyone unfamiliar with the story, Don Lockwood and Lina Lamont are two glittering stars of the silent screen, adored by their fans, they are true Hollywood royalty. Their new silent film ‘The Duelling Cavalier’ is due to open just as the first talking picture, ‘The Jazz Singer’ is launched to amazement and acclaim. R F Simpson, the owner of Monumental Pictures needs a plan and fast! His musician Cosmo Brown suggests reshooting the movie as a musical. Unfortunately, Lina Lamont has the voice of a New York alley cat. Step in the ingenue, budding new performer Kathy Seldon who is persuaded by Don and Cosmo to speak and sing for the actress – just for one film- her reward a contract and career launch. Complications ensue as Don, who is romantically linked with Lina (for publicity purposes only) falls head-over-heels for Kathy. It seems that only Lina believes her romance with Don is real. The love triangle which follows creates much of the farcical and hilarious comedy of the production. This being a Hollywood film all must end happily and so it does with the iconic unmasking of Lina miming, ‘Would You?’ as the curtains draw back to reveal Kathy behind her singing like an angel.

Essentially this is a show of music and dance. It demands high energy. In the original film the number ‘Good Morning’ took fourteen hours to shoot and Debbie Reynolds as Kathy left the set with her feet bleeding. The principals certainly gave it their all in this production. Charlotte Gooch as Kathy is charming, sweet but sassy and nobody’s push-over, as is seen when she aims a cream pie at Don, splattering Lina in the face. The exuberant fun of ‘Good Morning’ displays her singing and dancing talents at their best. It is a number so energetic that she, Don and Cosmo are left gasping for breath on the floor at the end, a real showstopper. A stand-out comic performance from Jenny Gaynor as the scheming and jealous Lina is another highlight. Her rasping, grating voice and New York accent so harsh it makes your ears ache, are comic gold. Some of the best comic moments are Lina filming her scenes in The Duelling Cavalier, ham-acting, shrill, unable to fathom the technology of talking into a microphone hidden in a rose bush, while the crew and director despair around her. She has a moment of pathos in the number, ‘What’s Wrong with Me?’ but is at her best as a vulgar, spoiled drama queen of the silent screen.

Kevin Clifton ( best known perhaps for his Strictly Come Dancing win with Stacey Dooley) is a perfect Cosmo Brown, bubbling with brio and zest; all his dance numbers are a joy to watch. I loved ‘the threesome song and dance number ‘Moses Supposes’ which was funny, clever and fabulously executed. As Don Lockwood, Sam Lips is a convincing, Hollywood pin-up movie star, dashing and sincere. His magical moment is the end of the first half, a knockout rendition of, ‘Singin in the Rain’ in which he dances and sings- drenched and blissful – whilst cheerfully splashing the audience with water.

The chorus and smaller parts were performed faultlessly throughout the show with a great cameo by Sandra Dickinson as Dora Bailey. Seamless and professional, the big dance set pieces, with so many classics to enjoy had the audience clapping along. I particularly liked the dream sequence with so many dance styles, costumes in jewel and primary colours, neon arrows and very clever touches of mime with small groups of dancers. The choreography directed by Andrew Wright, costumes by Simon Higlett and lighting by Tim Mitchell came together to create a magical, zipping fast-paced evening of fun, colour and music. The set was simple and effective, a mammoth grey construction upstage, looking like a fortress and bearing the sign Monumental Pictures, shows the power and strength of the film studios of the time contrasting with the colour, glitter and sparkle of the human actors involved. Artful use of props- combined with the witty black and white movies shown on the screen – and slapstick humour, all contributed to a sparkling, hilarious and uplifting evening of pure escapism and entertainment. Yes, I did get wet, but it was worth it!

Venue:
Seats were comfortable with plenty of leg room for my tall guest. The auditorium was packed and buzzing with an excited audience.

Rating: 5/5

Tickets Cost from £29.50 to £54.50

Singin in the Rain is at The Mayflower Southampton From 14th to 18th June

For more information or to book tickets visit https://www.mayflower.org.uk/whats-on/singin-in-the-rain-2022/
or call the Box Office on 02380 711811

Mayflower Theatre. Commercial Road, Southampton. SO15 1GE