Review of ‘Singin’ in the Rain’

Arts and Culture Editor Ollie Cochran reviews Bailey Theatre Company and John’s Music Society’s Epiphany term extravaganza ‘Singin’ in the Rain’.

Bailey Theatre Company (BTC) and John’s Music Society’s (JMS) latest collaboration saw Leech Hall transformed into 1920s Hollywood for a rousing rendition of the classic musical Singin’ in the Rain. Directed by Ellie Malley and Isabella Evans, with assistant Linus Cheung, energy is imbued into every scene and number. Their decision to reconfigure Leech Hall with a thrust stage is impressive, allowing the audience to be fully immersed in the action unfolding. Likewise, effective blocking sees cast members interact with the audience and surround the action.

It is clear from the get-go that every member of the cast is enjoying themselves immensely which, for such an uplifting musical, offers an infectious enthusiasm that is sustained for the show’s entire runtime. And this is a truly exceptional cast: each person involved offers something brilliant no matter the size of their part.

Jude Battersby plays our lead, Hollywood heartthrob and all-round charming guy Don Lockwood, with endless charisma, interacting with the audience at every turn and producing some wonderful vocals when called upon. His dancing, likewise, is fundamentally great, and his unwavering charm ensures that we laugh along with him at every point.

He has wonderful chemistry with stage partner Maia Harris Lindop, and this is something that develops delightfully all the way until the end of the show. Lindop gives a tour-de-force vocal performance as showgirl Kathy Selden, shining in her central number ‘You Are My Lucky Star’, providing a riveting performance for the audience every time she sings.

Alongside our leads are some truly hilarious supporting performances. Liam Gee as Don’s pal Cosmo Brown is particularly impressive throughout with his fantastic comic timing. This is best manifested in his triumphant rendition of ‘Make ‘Em Laugh’, where he assumes a number of characters and transverses the stage with boundless energy. Similarly, Posy Portwood, offers a laugh-out-loud performance as Lina Lamont, best realised in her central song ‘What’s Wrong with Me?’ – an audience favourite thanks to Portwood’s impressive characterisation and natural flair for comedy.

Victoria Travers and Nathan Jarvis should also be commended for their supporting roles: Travers excels in a dual role as RF Simpson/Diction Coach, showing her strong command of accents and physical comedy; Jarvis plays the exasperated director Roscoe Dexter very well, but truly stands out with his lead vocals for ‘Beautiful Girl’.

The rest of the cast are equally very good, with some impressive choreography (by Adam Kiralvarga) and singing moments that continually perpetuate the show’s feel-good nature. The dance numbers, in particular, are largely excellent and it is great to see a number of tap routines and ensemble work throughout the performance.

Given that this is a musical, the actors are only one piece of the puzzle. Plaudits should be extended to musical director Jonjo Palmer who conducts the brilliant band with vigour, ensuring that the iconic score resounds throughout.

Production Manager Miles Balderson and Stage Manager Roxy Rayward and team equally deliver on all fronts. The complex scene transitions are managed with professionalism despite the difficulties pertaining to the venue, the costumes and props are authentic, and scenes involving projection, whilst slightly clunky, don’t detract from the overall comedic and dramatic impact. However, the lighting design does sometimes affect the audience’s enjoyment of the show as areas of the stage are poorly lit and it does feel like there was some discordance between the blocking and lighting, especially on the thrust. Even so, given the constraints of the venue, this is not a major issue, although it would have been nice to see all the action clearly onstage as the actors are truly brilliant.

It is hard to deny that Singin’ in the Rain is done brilliantly by BTC and JMS and, for such a classic and internationally-renowned musical, all involved have certainly done it justice. A truly excellent execution.