Singin In The Rain At Royal Concert Hall, Nottingham Review

Reviewed by Louise Edwards

I find the perfect anecdote to the everyday stress is a visit to the theatre and for pure escapism what could be better than Singin’ in the Rain which this week visits Nottingham’s Royal Concert Hall as part of the UK and Ireland tour of the Chichester Festival Theatre and Stage Entertainment production directed by Jonathan Church.

The play is set in the 1920’s, the days of the silent movie, and stars of the silent screen Don Lockwood and Lina Lamont are at their heyday. As the play opens the scene is the glamour of Hollywood Boulevard and the premiere of their latest movie at the infamous Man’s Chinese Theatre.

Sam Lips is wonderfully charming as Don Lockwood (played in the original 1952 film by Gene Kelly) and Jenny Gayner the perfect Lina Lamont, shallow and manipulative yet beautiful and glamorous. The film studio link the pair romantically despite Lockwood’s protests. Ross McLaren plays Cosmo Brown, Lockwood’s best friend, After the premier for their latest movie, The Royal Rascal, he pretends to be Lockwood so Lockwood can take a stroll away from his fans. On the walk he meets Kathy Selden, played by Charlotte Gooch. She pretends not to know him and mocks the silent movie star saying she is a stage actress and that is real acting, rather than the fake affections of the silent screen.

At the aftershow party RF Simpson, played by Dale Rapley, shows a preview of the latest craze, the talking picture, and says Warner Bros are embracing this new technology. No one thinks it will catch on. To Lockwood’s surprise Selden jumps out of a fake cake brought into the party. He laughs at her saying she is a proper actress. She is furious and throws a fake cake at him accidentally hitting Lina Lamont with it instead. Selden runs away in horror and Lockwood hunts her out to no avail.

Meanwhile Warner Bros make their talking picture, The Jazz Singer, a hit and Simpson insists that the new Lockwood/Lamont movie The Dueling Cavalier, must be a talkie. However, Lamont has a very squeaky voice and cannot sing despite extensive elocution lessons the film company are in a tight squeeze.

Cosmo locates Selden and she auditions for another role for Simpson, who is impressed by her singing talent. Lockwood is reunited with her and she admits to being a fan for a while. He is smitten. The threesome decide that one solution to the problem would be to dub Selden’s voice over Lamont and turn The Duelling Cavalier into a musical. The first half ends with Lockwood, high on the love he feels for Selden, caught in a rainstorm singing the classic Singin in the Rain with rain pouring onto the stage. There is no denying that Lips has a great time soaking the first few rows of the audience with his dancing.

Everything about this show is just perfect! The creative team; wardrobe headed by Abigal Morgan, wigs headed by Suzanna Forrister-Beer, orchestra led by musical director Grant Walsh as well as the Company Manager Matt Henry and Stage Manager Alix Henry all lead incredible teams to bring together this delightful performance.

There are over 20 musical numbers and countless impressive dances that will transport you to a different era and have you dancing and singing your way home with a smile on your face.

Rating: 5/5

Tickets cost from £24

Singin in the Rain is at The Royal Concert Hall, Nottingham until Saturday 9 July 2022
For more information or to book tickets visit https://trch.co.uk/whats-on/singin-in-the-rain/ or call the box office on 0115 989 5555

Theatre Royal & Royal Concert Hall, Theatre Square, Nottingham, NG1 5ND

Further tour dates can be found here.