March 24, 2009
The moment the dance troupe cascades onto the stage in red sequinned leotards, tap dancing with hats, canes and smiles that ‘glorious feeling’ comes flooding into the theatre. This legendary musical contains so many cheery tunes per minute such as ‘Good Morning’ and slapstick comic numbers like ‘Moses Supposes’ as an elocution master attempts to improve diction with a tongue twister the plot almost feels like an embarrassment of riches. To shuffle off to the interval with the big stage number sung by hot lead Tim Flavin literally ‘singin’ in the rain’ is a delight. The male lead character, Don Lockwood, is now on his way to secure his love interest the ingénue Kathy Selden (Jessica Punch) aka the girl with the sparkling singing voice.
A subtext to the story is the history behind the talking movie. In the plot a rival studio has released The Jazz Singer; a movie with a sound track. Alas the starlet in The Dancing Cavalier movie, Lina Lamont, squawks a little and is unlikely to ensure talking movies ever take off. Lina Lamont (Amy Griffiths) looks breathtaking in costumes typical of the silver screen era such as sequinned gowns with white marabou feather drape, just one of many jaw dropping outfits designed by Elizabeth Dennis.
Alison Pollards’ direction follows the film version faithfully and uses inventive theatrical staging to effect the different locations the plot calls for. This works best in the simpler scenes such as Kathy’s audition piece where a piano on stage is all that accompanies her in her solo ‘You Are My Lucky Star’ and she holds the theatre with her voice. The lighting frames the glamour of the high drama moments with the kiss between Don and Kathy backed by twinkling star light and a golden glow around the lovers.
The pace of movement behind the scene changes of Charles Camm’s set design are indicative of the moving pace behind the production that moves with a ‘Broadway Rhythm’ which is perfected by a talented and disciplined chorus who just ‘gotta dance!’ as choreographed by Graeme Henderson. There may be rain on stage but it’s sunshine smiles on the faces of the audience. If you enjoyed the 1952 film starring Gene Kelly and Debbie Reynolds then sit back and let ‘UK Productions’ company bring musical history to life.
A subtext to the story is the history behind the talking movie. In the plot a rival studio has released The Jazz Singer; a movie with a sound track. Alas the starlet in The Dancing Cavalier movie, Lina Lamont, squawks a little and is unlikely to ensure talking movies ever take off. Lina Lamont (Amy Griffiths) looks breathtaking in costumes typical of the silver screen era such as sequinned gowns with white marabou feather drape, just one of many jaw dropping outfits designed by Elizabeth Dennis.
Alison Pollards’ direction follows the film version faithfully and uses inventive theatrical staging to effect the different locations the plot calls for. This works best in the simpler scenes such as Kathy’s audition piece where a piano on stage is all that accompanies her in her solo ‘You Are My Lucky Star’ and she holds the theatre with her voice. The lighting frames the glamour of the high drama moments with the kiss between Don and Kathy backed by twinkling star light and a golden glow around the lovers.
The pace of movement behind the scene changes of Charles Camm’s set design are indicative of the moving pace behind the production that moves with a ‘Broadway Rhythm’ which is perfected by a talented and disciplined chorus who just ‘gotta dance!’ as choreographed by Graeme Henderson. There may be rain on stage but it’s sunshine smiles on the faces of the audience. If you enjoyed the 1952 film starring Gene Kelly and Debbie Reynolds then sit back and let ‘UK Productions’ company bring musical history to life.