I am "Singin' In The Rain"

Singin' In The Rain - Palace Theatre, London, 24th April 2012

Special days (especially when it is the own birthday) need special treats (and some time to write them down ;-) ).

With being in London on this day and one of my all time favourite actresses/musical performers being in a show I hadn't seen yet it was clear where I would spend it.

I had not seen Scarlett Strallen since Passion in autumn 2010 so I was slightly more excited about seeing her again than the show though I do love the movie and was looking forward to it.

I was originally to day seat for the show as for Sweeney Todd but when I learnt that the allocation for these had changed I booked it in advance: front row - a row that comes with a warning: you will get wet.

Bringing one of the most famous musical movies onstage with most probably one most known film scenes of all times in it, yes Gene Kelly walking and dancing along a sodden pavement and stamping in giant puddles getting totally soaked, was a nice change for me with the West End being in general rather boring.

I missed out on it when it was on in Chichester last summer as I had no time to go to London then, I was rather upset then, so when it was announced it would open it was of course top of the list of must see's - and it was worth the wait.

Following closely the plot of the 50s movie which is based in 1927, the year when silent movies learnt to talk.
Don Lockwood and Lina Lamont are silent movies stars usually romantically linked in these and even though Lina thinks the screen romance is real but it isn't. When the first talking picture produced by a different studio, becomes a smash hit, the boss of the studio decides that the lates Lockwood/Lamont movie needs to be one. There is "only" one major issue (well plenty more but this is the most obvious one): Lina's extremely squeaky voice.
After a disastrous test screen Cosmo, Don's best friend, comes up with the ideas of overdubbing Lina and turning the movie into a musical comedy.
In the meantime Don has met and fallen for jobbing actress Kathy Seldon who ends up providing the voice for Lina who, when she finds out about the romance, does everything to sabotage the romance and Kathy's career requesting that Kathy remains uncredited. Having signed a contract Kathy has no other choice but to agree. Hurt she never wants to see Don again..
But on the day of the successful premiere the audience wants Lina to sing live, they improvise with Lina to lip-synch while Kathy sings backstage but when Lina starts to perform Don and co raise the curtain Kathy is hiding behind to reveal the cheating.
Lina is done, Kathy becomes a star and forgives Don.

Well I suppose everyone into (musical) theatre is familiar with the story, the movie so I should not haven given away too much. If you are not, I actually would wonder: why have you never seen the movie? ;-)

As the movie, the stage version is, with sometimes a carbon copy of the film (screenplay by Betty Comden and Adolph Green) but in other moments, while not changing the overall story, there are changes, new scenes, new lines, jokes and even new songs (though others were cut but not at least by me missed) but still re-creating often some of the iconic and so well known movie moments telling the story (well not that there is much plot left in act 2) so charmingly, joyously and entertainingly (director Jonathan Church) full of most popular well known songs as "Good Morning", “Moses Supposes" (which is now part of Don and Cosmo going to a diction coach, so well performed) and of course the title song "Singin' In The Rain" which are all played so well and lively by the band conducted by Robert Scott.

Adam Cooper is enchanting and impressive as Don Lockwood and fills Gene Kelly's massive footsteps most convincingly. Yes, he is not the best singer in the world but still sings nicely enough, but I do like him anyway, ever have since seeing him as Sky Masterson in Guys & Dolls in 2006, and what he delivered dance wise was utterly stunning anyway.

Yes, the numbers are well choreographed but Adam took them even further. Certainly his virtuoso performance of the title number was THE highlight (who actually has more fun during that number? The audience watching it and, if you set in the front rows, especially if on the right hand side, get wet or him when he splashes the heaviliy of chlorine smelling water into the audience in great arcs) of the show but the rest was just as fantastic. Even the smallest move, dance routine which he makes look so easy is full with meaning and emotion and Adam has in general such a sparkling aura with the right touch of mischievous nonchalance that I cannot help but be totally taken with him even more than had been before.

Daniel Crossley as Cosmo Brown felt so different to the on screen Cosmo aka Donald O’Connor but was just as enjoyable that I cannot help but adore this bubbly and cheerful guy (I really wish now I had seen him as Bert in Mary Poppins but I gave the UK tour a miss). His "Make ’em laugh" while not doing the known up-the-wall backflip but crashing through it (good decision knowing what happened to Donald O’Connor) was a show stopper full of (physical) clever ideas and gags and so well performed. He also owns the for me funniest line in the show: "She can’t sing, she can’t act, and she can’t dance. She’s a triple threat.” talking about Lina. it had me in stitches as it was so hilariously presented.

Scarlett Strallen, while not being much different to Debbie Reynolds as the sweet but also feisty Kathy Seldon brings in so much warmth and tenderness that occasionally it is a bit too much for me. While I adore her in general, there could have been a bit less of that sweetness. Do not mean it negative, she is brilliant (and deservedly got that Olivier award nomination for it) but considering how feisty her part is at the beginning, it totally loses that once Kathy starts to go out with Don. With her understudy standing out in the ensemble numbers I am actually curious how she would be.

The chemistry with Adam is decent, not overwhelming but it suits the period, when according to the movies you seemed to know in a few hours that you have met THE one. ;-) Her and Adam's "You Were Made For Me" was nevertheless lovely and beautifully sung and with the wonderful setting it was such a touching moment of the show.

Katherine Kingsley as Lina Lamont is hilariously and entertainly ghastly though I really wondered whether such a squeaky voice could have any impact on your vocal cords in the long term (the random stuff that goes through my mind sometimes when watching a show...).

The rest of the cast also has no weak link for me, I was especially impressed by Michael Brandon as R F Simpson, the studio boss and the ensemble numbers were some show stoppers anyway performing so well the stunning inventive and electric choreography by Andrew Wright.
Certainly there are clear direct references to the movie as in "Good Morning'" but other numbers while might have some elements in them from the movie are a lot more generously staged with new routines combining various dance styles looking rapturously enjoyable and fresh full of energy and sparkle but still capturing the nostalgic charm of the movie.

Set from my front row seat - bit close but you
can see all even feet ;) for the dance numbers

The set looked fantastic (designer Simon Higlett) while "basic" and practical at the same time reminding me more of a film set with just the props needed in each scene being brought on the stage as a bench, street lights etc.. and a lot of effects/scenes being created by a most impressive lighting concept (by Tim Mitchell). And as part of the set the rain is, while smelly, looking so real. Having seen other shows with rain onstage but it is more drizzle then this is proper artificial rain and you get it twice! Though I still feel sorry for the guys who have to clean the stage during the interval and after the show. It took them the whole 20 mins (?) interval!
And yes, just as it said on my ticket "you will get wet" I got wet, not  as wet as people right of the middle aisle (Adam definitely prefers the other side ;-) ) but it was sufficient.

The sections of the projected films including the scenes when they record the dubbing of the various "The Dancing Cavalier" looked great (video designer Ian William Galloway) though the actual dubbing sounded often too loud being so used to have dubbed movies etc. over here in Germany but I just "blame" they tried to make it tie in with the then technology. ;-) 

Costumes were beautiful and matched largely the period wíth especially Lina's dresses looking most stunning - just a shame that the yellow macs made a far too brief appearance at the end of the show. :( ;-)

Overall: The show being such a feel good one certainly made quite a splash and was a worthwhile birthday treat! Actually saying that it does not need such a reason to go and see it. I could see it any time. :)

Amazing "Singin' In The Rain" Marquee

Amazing "Singin' In The Rain" Marquee