Singin’ In The Rain Review-Newcastle Theatre Royal

What a glorious feeling! The West Ends smash-hit Singin’ in the Rain is making a splash at Newcastle Theatre Royal and is here until 7 May 2022.

I have to say I left this show singin’ and dancin’ (In the rain)! This story is a timeless classic that continues to entertain audiences 70 years on in this stage play adaptation that I found to be a darling of a production and the first in which I’ve seen it actually rain on stage! 

What’s it about ? Don Lockwood is a silent movie star with everything he could want – fame, adulation and a well-publicised ‘romance’ with his co-star Lina Lamont. But Hollywood is about to change forever, with the introduction of speaking movies. Can Don and the uniquely voiced Lina make the transition, and will chorus girl Kathy Selden fulfil her dream of stardom?

Star of stage and a member of the popular music group Steps, Faye Tozer leads the cast and reprises her role as the strangulated silver-screen siren, Lina Lamont having previously delighted audiences at Sadler’s Wells and actually ends her run in this musical here at the Theatre Royal Newcastle. Tozer dazzles as Lamont and is convincing throughout whilst holding her not so audience friendly accent. 

Faye is joined by Sam Lips as Don Lockwood who I found to be very enjoyable, charismatic and exuded every bit the star that he portrayed. A very enjoyable and classic end to the first interval too gave him one of many standout moments.

Charlotte Gooch is our aspiring actress Kathy Selden of whom falls in love with Lockwood, and is the real star that gets her moment at the end of the show. Again like Tozer excels in her role and a joy to watch.

Ross McLaren is Don’s slapstick sidekick Cosmo Brown and very funny he is! We get many comedic moments from McLaren of whom brings a lot of fun to this production.

This is a classic, and everyone involved truly does it proud, whether it be the principal cast or the ensemble when accompanying dance routines. The musical score is just a treat and you’ll find yourself singing along to these songs you will know and love. Every actor performs and sings wonderfully. The dance in this show is just brilliant, like the early movies it’s silent in its contribution but a joy to watch. Effortlessly displayed by our cast. 

I’ve seen some productions and staging that have impressed me and I can say I’ve never seen it rain on stage before. The theatre includes the use of over 14,000 litres of water on stage every night, being recycled through the floor of the stage and back up to the clouds upon which they fall from. Thankfully I was in the upper circle, but if you’re in the first three rows you may get more of an immersive experience. 

This was a really enjoyable production to watch and I thoroughly enjoyed it. This is a production that will continue to live on and I hope will continue for years to come.

Singin’ in the Rain plays at Newcastle Theatre Royal from Tue 3 – Sat 7 May 2022. Tickets are priced from £20.00 and can be purchased at www.theatreroyal.co.uk or from the Theatre Royal Box Office on 0191 232 7010.