There are certain musicals that everybody, whether they like it or not, will be achingly familiar with the songs.
This is most definitely true of the latest production by the local theatre company, Taylorian, who are staging a version of possibly one of the famous musicals ever written.
Singing in the Rain opens at the Gaiety Theatre next week, and it will feature all the classic songs and dance routines that made the original film such a favourite over the years.
The tale, set in the golden age of Hollywood, features all the hallmarks of the classic musicals, including chorus lines full of synchronised tap dancers, beautiful and ever-smiling leading ladies and gloriously lavish and over-the-top dance routines.
The songs include the title song, ’Good Morning Good Morning’ and ’Make ’em Laugh’ amongst many more.
The show stars two West End actors, Danny Becker, in the lead role of Don Lockwood, and Josh Barnett as his friend Cosmo Brown, who are two actors in the silent movie industry, who want to get into the new ’talkies’, films with spoken dialogue.
Don’s leading lady, fellow silent star Lina Lamont, played by Lisa Kreisky, who is unfortunately blessed with a harsh, grating New York accent, which means they can’t get any work in the new industry.
Don stumbles across Kathy Seldon, played by local actor Laura Pigott, who is trying to break into the movies herself.
They are backed by a cast of stars of the Manx stage, Chris Cain, Matt James, Mandy Griffin and Jack Divers, along with two different chorus lines of young singers and dancers.
The show is in the capable hands of UK director Chris Cuming, who is confident that they have created a spectacular show that has all the feel-good factor that made the film such a classic.
’This is a massive dance show,’ said Chris.
’If you want to come to watch a show to get cheered up, this is the perfect medicine. You cant help but feel a bit lighter and happier after a show like this.
Chris said that both he and Taylorian have pulled out all the stops to bring the film to life on stage, especially when it comes recreating to the iconic umbrellas-and-torrential rain routine for the song ’Singing in the Rain’, which made stars of Gene Kelly and Debbie Reynolds.
’There will be a lot of water on stage too. The whole stage will be covered,’ promised Chris.
’Some shows use projections or clever lighting to recreate the rain.
’But we thought that if we going to do this, we are going to do this right, and the only way to do that is to actually make it rain in the Gaiety.’
One of the challenges facing the team has been to get the young cast to adapt to such a classical and seemingly old-fashioned style of song-and-dance production.
’The younger cast members have been great,’ said Chris.
’In the past the other shows I have directed for Taylorian, Joseph and his Technicolour Dreamcoat and Chitty Chitty Bang Bang, have been, if you like, newer shows.
’They are not used to the performing style of this show, which is very classic, late 20s, high-shouldered, constantly smiling. It has been a lot for them to take in.
’We have been drilling and drilling them to get that style. We’ve had the boys walking around with coat hangers in their shirts to pull their shoulders back, to get that unique style.
’Taylorian pride ourselves on our standards, and we, as a cast, have really committed to that in their show.
’So have the cast, young and the more experienced, and they have really lived up to the pathos of that. I’m really proud of them for that.’
Singing in the Rain opens on Monday, August 5, and with the exception of Sunday, runs until Saturday, August 17, at the Gaiety Theatre, from 7.30pm each night, with matinee shows on each Saturday at 2.30pm.
Tickets are £25 for adults, with £28 for a special ’splash zone’ seat, £22.50 for seniors and under 16s £20, available the Villa Gaiety box office, or online from villagaiety.com
by Mike Wade
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