Jude Kelly’s direction wrestles with the transfer of film to stage and by the finale she manages to soak the people in the front row of the stalls with water and capture the audience. They laughed and clapped having enjoyed an entertaining evening.

The story is about the end of silent films and the emergence of speech. Lina Lamont, played by Jaqui Rae, lets her voice give full flow to the untransferable uttering of the typical silent film actor, which presents problems for the adapting directors. She did, however give a terrific interpretation of the song “What’s wrong with me”. Her screen partner Don Lockwood, played by Darren Bennett, on the other hand makes a successful transfer to speech. The elecution song “Moses Supposes” sung by Don, Cosmo Brown (Richard Brightiff) and Miss Dinsmore (Kin Ismay) is priceless. The problem that evolves is that Lina Lamont’s voice needs to be dubbed and the solution is Kathy Selden, played by Cheryl McAvoy, an aspiring actress who has met Don Lockwood. “Good Morning” sung by Kathy, Don and Cosmo sums up the ambience of the musical. All the actors give great performances with their interpretations of the songs and dances. The musical direction by Dane Preece gives added swing to the show and allows the singing and dancing of the company to raise the roof.

This is a lively show with the musical number “Singing in the Rain” bringing the house down as the rain falls and Darren Bennett splashes his way through this dance routine. It was great and well worth the effort of going to see this entertaining show. © BA

“Singin’ in the Rain” is in Leeds from the 10th December, 2001 to the 23rd February, 2002.