Singin’ In The Rain

A Drenching Good Time

The first two rows of the Lyric Theatre proved the wettest seats in the house, but, armed with plastic raincoats, no one seemed to mind the splashing good dancing and singing in the rain.

This is a show based on the film that many across generations rate as their favourite musical. It doesn't disappoint.

The performances of Grant Almirall as Don Lockwood, Gretel Scarlett as Kathy Selden, Jack Chambers as Cosmo Brown and Erica Keynatz as Lina Lamont are impressive in song and dance.

Jack Chambers as Cosmo is wonderful; it's a role he owns. He brings great energy and impeccable comic timing to the part he played in his first ever amateur production, which gave him his start.

Erika Heynatz as Lina Lamont is at times hilarious. The elocution lesson is clever, so is the scene where she is shooting her first ever "talkie" and declares about the microphone "I can't make love to a bush". The role captures the challenges of the harsh reality of being a female star in the Hollywood men's club. The final act captures Lina Lamont's fight for survival and a loss of dignity which is sad and funny in equal measures.

Some may find the portrayal of women in "Singin’ in the Rain", which was originally made in the early 1950s, as sexist and dated. The objectification of women and the power of the Monumental Studio's men is certainly not glossed over and at one point there is more than a suggestion of the "casting couch".

Kathy Selden (Gretel Scarlett) emerges from a champagne tower and throws a pie destined for Don Lockwood (Grant Almirall) into Lina Lamont's face. She becomes the enchanting force in the production; her voice is beautiful, and a life of dance is for all to see.

The chemistry with Don Lockwood works. But so too her struggle for recognition is amplified; she is the voice of the star not the star, but she is the star.

Grant Almirall as Don Lockwood was relatively late to the part, after Adam Garcia injured his calf muscle. He is a terrific lead, ticking all the boxes in one of the world's most greatly loved musicals with strong acting, singing and great dancing across the genres.

"Singin’ in the Rain" in the rain, was wondrous, and there's a surprise at the end.

The music, directed by Adrian Kirk, is not from the traditional pit. Where would the rain go? The musicians are perched high above the stage. The orchestra's execution of the songs of Nacio Herb Brown and Arthur Freed is flawless and drew heartfelt applause.

The song and dance showcases a fine ensemble of performers. The choreography is strong and the costumes add to the spectacle of a production, which many theatregoers will love.

Philippa McDonald

Images: Grant Almirall (photographer: Lindsay Kearney), Ensemble (photographer: Jeff Busby), Erika Heynatz (photographer: Jeff Busby) & Gretel Scarlett, Jack Chambers and Grant Almirall photographer: Lindsay Kearney).