Singin' In The Rain

 

Review by Paul Towers, 25/6/24

Singin’ In The Rain, screenplay by Betty Comden & Adolph Green, songs by Nacio Herb Brown & Arthur Freed

Directed and Choreographed by Lee Proud

Produced by Celia Mackay

At Kilworth House until 28^th July 2024

What can be more perfect than sitting out in the open air on a hot, sticky summer evening watching the ultimate Hollywood musical, Singin’ In The Rain? The classic movie is 72 years old this year and the 1983 stage version faithfully follows the original as far as possible. And yes, it does rain onstage. So beware if you are in the front couple of rows.

The show is a crowd-pleasing mix of comedy, romance and, of course, spectacular dancing. The original choreography by Gene Kelly has not been lost and Lee Proud has adapted it to fit the stage.

Set in the 1920’s just as Talkies were making silent movies redundant, Singin’ is the story of how the industry adapted. Don Lockwood (Jack Wilcox) and Lina Lamont (Jess Buckby) are the golden couple of silent romantic movies even though Don has no interest in Lina beyond work. When Don bumps into an aspiring actress, Kathy Selden (Lucie-Mae Sumner) and falls for her Lina’s jealousy rises to the surface. Cosmo Brown (Alastair Crosswell) is Don’s best friend and off-screen pianist as well as his cabaret dance partner. Don, Lina and Cosmo are happily churning out romantic movies until Talking Pictures arrive and suddenly they have to adapt. Unfortunately Lina has the most awful speaking voice so it is decided to dub her voice with Kathy’s. (This reflects actual events at the time when multiple actors lost their careers when their voices didn’t match their faces).

The show is packed with hummable songs as well as great comedy numbers. Alastair Crosswell’s Cosmo Brown provides a lot of the comedy, very capably channelling Donald O’Connor’s filmic original. Jack Wilcox’s Don Lockwood has the matinee idol’s good looks and has a good rapport with Crosswell as a double act.

Jess Buckby’s Lina Lamont is perfect as the screeching, foul mouthed ditzy blonde forever deluding herself she is in love with Lockwood.

The ensemble of various characters and dancers give great support. The set by Simon Wells becomes a veritable wet room at the end of each half as the on-stage heavens open and a deluge soaks the cast. Wilcox’s Lockwood has great fun splashing around in the titular song, like a toddler jumping in puddles.

Running for several weeks until 28^th July Singin’ In The Rain at Kilworth Hall is what summer is made for. Treat yourself and wander out through the fairytale woodland at the end of the evening humming at least a couple of memorable songs.

https://www.kilworthhouse.co.uk

https://ptheatre.blogspot.com/  

 

Table Manners

 

Review by Paul Towers, 10/6/24

Table Manners by Alan Ayckbourn

Directed by Russell Hughes

Produced by Leicester Drama Society

At The Little Theatre until Saturday 15^th June 2024

“Hilarious goings-on behind suburban curtains”

Table Manners is one part of the trilogy that is The Norman Conquests by Alan Aykbourn. The premise of the plays is that the same action is seen from three different aspects in three different rooms. Table Manners takes place in the dining room around the dining table.

Annie lives in a large suburban house caring for her demanding bedridden Mother. She has planned an illicit weekend in East Grinstead with Norman, her sister Ruth’s charming husband while her brother Reg and his wife Sarah are coming to look after Mother while she is away. Added to the melee is gormless Tom, Annie’s vet and wannabe lover.

Norman, anxious to rekindle the romp on the lounge carpet he had with Annie, has turned up early to collect her and but has stumbled into a family assembly. As the penny drops and Annie’s plans are revealed all hell breaks out.

Hollie Matusiewicz’s Annie is a perfect combination of fragility and loneliness as she wonders whether to go through with betraying her sister Ruth. Allan Smith’s Norman is a clown with an ulterior purpose. If he can’t laugh the ladies into bed he will charm them. The only person immune to his charms is his wife, career obsessed Ruth. (a fabulously demanding Tabz Fogg). But for sheer bitchiness there is nothing to beat Emma Bamford’s Sarah, a snobby Margo Leadbetter clone in equally garish outfits, while her put upon husband Reg (Freddie Dobrijevic) does his best to stand up to her, occasionally. Wandering around hoping that Annie will finally notice him is local vet Tom (Graham Muir).

With no-one really knowing exactly what is going on there is much confusion. This leads the hilarity of the play and the audience was laughing from start to finish.

So, if you find the pretentious snobbery and illicit goings on in suburbia hilarious then Table Manners is definitely for you. It runs at The Little Theatre until Saturday 15^th June.

Pics: Mary Jayne Harding Scott

https://thelittletheatre.co.uk/

https://ptheatre.blogspot.com/