Singinʼ their way to the top!

The touring production of Singin In The Rain is anything but wet! says One Nation Magazine’s Nige Burton

I wasnʼt sure what I was going to make of the current touring production of Singin In The Rain if Iʼm being totally honest. I know there have been a few stabs at reviving the 50s MGM classic movie musical in the past but, letʼs face it, Gene Kelly is a hard act to follow. Weʼre also talking about an older, less familiar property here, so youʼve not got the audience draw that Cats or Phantom has, so at the very least, I applauded UK Productions bravery in staging this latest incarnation.

Chatting to male lead Tim Flavin a couple of hours before curtain up certainly allayed many of my fears. I was heartened to realise that the whole company has worked so damned hard as a team to pull this thing off and, if enthusiasm alone were enough of a factor to guarantee success, then this must be a smash in the making.

And then I saw the show. Wow! What can I say? If youʼre looking for that rare treat which comes along once in a blue moon for us theatregoers, then this is it. Flavin is superb as Don Lockwood, managing to sing, tap and act his way through the whole show with consummate ease – even in the pouring rain. Oh yes – the rainʼs real alright (though where the hell it goes without electrocuting the orchestra in the pit is anyoneʼs guess) – in fact, the entire production is technically brilliant yet stunningly simple. It takes all that is good about the film and then improves upon it. And all in one, glorious, breathtaking, technicolor take.

The musical numbers are accomplished to perfection, and with strong performances from Jessica Punch, Graeme Henderson and, in particular, Amy Griffiths as the outrageous Lina Lamont, this is a sparkling event of an evening that shouldnʼt be missed.

Visit www.ukproductions.co.uk

Reviewed at The Grand Theatre, Blackpool www.blackpoolgrand.co.uk

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