Review: SINGIN' IN THE RAIN Captivates Sydney With A High Energy Explosion of Color And Copious Amounts Of Rain

Saturday 9th July 2016, 7pm, Lyric Theatre, Sydney

SINGIN' IN THE RAIN is a marvellous blend of singing, dancing, celluloid snippets and 12,000 litres of recycled water. The classic Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer comedic movie musical is translated to the stage as a refreshing dose feel good fun filled with retro charm.

Following a sell-out West End season, major UK tour, South African and New Zealand seasons, a current Asian tour, and Melbourne season, this Laurence Olivier Award and Helpmann Award Nominated production, originally created for the Chichester Festival Theatre under the Director Jonathan Church, has finally splashed its way in to Sydney. Church and choreographer Andrew Wright have stayed true to Betty Comden and Adolph Green's screenplay, blending cinematography and live performance to recreate the story of the dawn of the new era of talking pictures and the first 'ghost singer' and 'voiceover artist' ensuring that fans of the movie will not be disappointed.

Designer Simon Higlett transports the audience to 1927 Hollywood with the looming grey concrete façade of the classic movie studios situated at the foot of the Hollywood hills, below the iconic HOLLYWOODLAND sign (as it would have read in 1927). With minimal additions, and Tim Mitchell's lighting, the space to changes between sound stages, sidewalks, offices, and other various locations. In addition to the set design's indications of the era, Higlett uses the costuming to firmly set the timeframe in 1927 with the glamour of the socialites and celebrities to the 'formality' of the 'average' person working at the studio where women wear bold print dresses with pinned hair and men wear buttoned shirts and vests. Gareth Owen's soundscape helps to break the fourth wall as the audience becomes part of the crowd at the premiere screenings of Ian William Galloway's (Video Designer) movies at Grauman's Chinese Theatre and the ingenious combination of a rain and flooding system lets the audience (the first few rows at least) share in the joy expressed in Singin' In The Rain.

Given the films origins in 1952, whilst being based on the 1920's, its big chorus number stylings are typical of the 50's and 60's musicals, both on screen and stage. Church and Wright recreate this feeling through the direction and choreography which is finished off with Higlett's bold costuming for the big chorus line numbers like Beautiful Girl and the Broadway Ballet. They ensure that the story remains light and seemingly fanciful, even though it was dealing with what would become a very real practice of engaging 'ghost singers', who, unlike Kathy, often went uncredited.

Grant Almirall, who is sharing the role of Don Lockwood with Rohan Browne whilst Adam Garcia recuperates from injury, delivered a stunning performance for Sydney's opening night. Almirall has a beautifully warm tenor voice that has the gravity and self-assuredness of an A list celebrity, as Don was, whilst being sensitive and tender as the movie star falls in love with Chorus girl Kathy Selden (Gretel Scarlett). Almirall gives Don a gorgeous grace as he dances both alone and in the duets and trios with Don's best friend Cosmo Brown (Jack Chambers) and Kathy. His iconic solo Singin' In The Rain is presented with vibrant energy and playfulness as he splashes around in the flooded stage, all the while maintaining the iconic vocals with a rich excitement and optimism.

As chorus girl Kathy Selden, Gretel Scarlett conveys the sweet innocence yet strength as the wannabe Broadway baby, with sights on stage acting, initially convinces Don that he can't sweep her up with his fame and celebrity like he usually does. Scarlett gives Kathy a devotion and loyalty to Don and Cosmo as the plot is devised to use the ingénue's voice in place of shrill star Lina Lamont (Erika Heynatz), making the apparent betrayal even more crushing. Her wonderfully pure voice which expresses sensitivity and understanding of sentiment of the love songs and she has endearing elegance as she dances, from the chorus girl numbers to joining Almirall for the romantic You Were Meant For Me and playing up with both Almirall and Chambers for the iconic Good Mornin'.

Rounding out the central trio, Jack Chambers is delicious as the comic foil and third wheel Cosmo Brown. As the musician and stunt man and Don's best friend since their vaudeville days Chambers injects and incredible energy in his dance and physicality. He expresses the fabulous slap stick comedy with a fluidity that keeps the pace moving quickly, lightens the tone and helps anchor the story in the 1920's. Chambers' facial expressions are marvellous and his dejection at discovering his best friend now has other interests is heart breaking.

As Don's on screen Leading Lady, Lina Lamont, Erika Heynatz captures the conniving, ditzy diva with a dreadfully hilarious New York drawl with brilliant conviction. Heynatz ensures that from the minute the bottle blonde appears the audience is aware that Lina is 'not quite all there'. She is convincing in conveying that Lina is completely ignorant to the sound of her voice, a marvellously exaggerated Bronx accent that balances the line of unintelligible and is even more riotous when Lina sings What's Wrong With Me? Heynatz portrayal also helps show that Hollywood Diva's haven't changed that much since the 1920'2, with their affectations of sunglasses and scheming their way to stay on top, and feeding off their own publicity

SINGIN' IN THE RAIN is a superb production that allows audiences to see the celluloid classic in a new light as a dose of nostalgia, and sharing the golden age of cinema and stage musicals with a new generation. Its wholesome plot centred on a sweet love story ensures that this show is a must see for all ages, just be aware you may get a little damp if you buy a ticket in the first few rows (ponchos are provided).

SYDNEY TICKETS ON SALE NOW
Venue: Sydney Lyric Theatre
Dates: From Thursday 7 July 2016
Performance schedule: Tuesday 7pm
Wednesday 1pm & 8pm
Thursday 8pm
Friday 8pm
Saturday 2pm & 8pm
Sunday 3pm

Please note that performances on Saturday, 9 July 2016 will be at 1.30pm and 7pm and on Sunday, 24 July 2016 will be at 1pm.

Prices: Tickets from $74.90*
Bookings: www.singin.com.au or www.ticketmaster.com.au
*Additional fees may apply. Subject to availability. Prices and performance schedule subject to change.
Groups 10+ Save! Call Ticketmaster Groups 02 8240 2290 or email groups@ticketmaster.com.au

BRISBANE TICKETS ON SALE NOW
Venue: Lyric Theatre QPAC
Dates: From Thursday 22 September 2016
Performance schedule: Tuesday 6.30pm
Wednesday 1pm & 7.30pm
Thursday 7.30pm
Friday 7.30pm
Saturday 1.30pm & 7.30pm
Sunday 3pm

Please note that performances on Saturday, 24 September 2016 will be at 1pm and 7pm.

Prices: Tickets from $75.95*
Bookings: www.singin.com.au or qpac.com.au
*Additional fees may apply. Subject to availability. Prices and performance schedule subject to change.
Groups 12+ Save! Call 07 3840 7466 or email groups@qpac.com.au.

ADELAIDE TICKETS ON SALE NOW
Venue: Festival Theatre
Dates: From 1 st December 2016
Performance schedule: Tuesday 7.00pm

Wednesday 7.30pm
Thursday 7.30pm
Friday 7.30pm
Saturday 2pm & 7.30pm
Sunday 1pm & 6.30pm

Performances on Saturday, 3 December 2016 are at 1.30pm and 7.00pm

*Price is for C-Res ticket on Tuesday 7pm performance. Price is inclusive of 2.5% cc processing fees and GST; however additional
Groups of 10+ please call BASS Groups 08 8205 2220 or email groups@bass.net.au transaction fees from $6.95 apply. Prices and performances subject to change.

PERTH TICKETS ON SALE NOW
Dates: From 29th December 2016
Performance schedule: Tuesday 7.00pm
Wednesday 1pm & 7.30pm
Thursday 7.30pm
Friday 7.30pm
Saturday 2pm & 7.30pm
Sunday 3pm

Performances on Saturday, 31 December 2016 are at 1.30pm and 7pm

Groups of 10+ please call TM Groups 1300 889 278 or email groups@ticketmaster.com.au
*Price is for C Reserve tickets on Tues 7pm and Wed 1pm performances. Price inclusive of cc processing fees and GST; however, a $7.95 per transaction fee applies to phone, internet and outlet bookings. Prices and performance schedule subject to change.

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