Singin in the Rain Previews to Thunderous Applause   15 Apr 2015

Singin in the Rain Previews in Wellington to Thunderous Applause
Show splashes down in Wellington

"Incredible dancing"

"It actually rains on stage"

"The world's best musical"

The splash-hit West End stage production SINGIN’ IN THE RAIN has been welcomed into Wellington with a thunderous reception!

Wellingtonians turned out in their droves last night to enjoy the first preview of this iconic musical, making its international touring debut in New Zealand before heading off to territories throughout the world.

“The dancing was incredible,” beamed one fan. “Who would have imagined that it actually would have rained on stage at the St James,” said another. “I can see why it’s the world’s best musical. It has it all. While it’s a classic story, it’s told in a very modern way. This show has all the bells and whistles that you’d expect from a West End blockbuster and yet none of the romance of yesteryear has been lost.”

The show will have its gala opening on Friday, attended by a who’s who of the city.

SINGIN’ IN THE RAIN comes from the producers of Jersey Boys, The Sound of Music and Annie.

Making a splash from the moment it premiered, this sensational production of SINGIN’ IN THE RAINextended its run at the Chichester Festival Theatre in the UK due to unprecedented public demand, before transferring to the famous Palace Theatre in London in 2012. Now, after a sell-out West End season,unparalleled praise from critics and audiences alike, four Olivier Award nominations, and a major UK tour,SINGIN’ IN THE RAIN is set to delight New Zealand audiences.

Set in 1927, it tells the story, made famous by Gene Kelly and Debbie Reynolds in the iconic 1952 MGM movie, of the first Hollywood musical, when the silver screen found its voice and left silent movies – and some of its stars – behind. Ironically, the St James theatre – opened in 1912 – was originally used to screen silent movies while The Civic in Auckland – opened in 1929 – was among the first venues to screen talkies.

This spectacular production is packed full of the charm, romance, comedy and Tinseltown glamour of one of the world’s best-loved movies and features all the songs from the glorious MGM score including Good Morning, Make ‘em Laugh, Moses Supposes and the classic Singin’ in the Rain.

The movie’s iconic choreography is flawlessly recreated, and with the help of 12,000 litres of water, the audience can enjoy one of the most famous dance routines live on stage, with some leaving the theatre a little wetter than when they arrived!

To achieve the famous Singin’ In The Rain scene, the production uses half a mile of flexible pipe work, a 10 tonne water tank and a water system that creates a downpour from above as well as flooding from below the stage, in total ‘raining’ (and recycling) over 12,000 litres of water per performance.

Leading the cast of 27 is musical star Bethany Dickson, who took New Zealand by storm with her performance as Maria in The Sound of Music, and now returns to the stage as the aspiring actress Kathy Selden. Making his debut in New Zealand as the charming Don Lockwood, is Grant Almirall, a seasoned star of musicals who recently triumphed in the role of Frankie Valli in Jersey Boys.

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. There is rumour in the studio of a new kind of film, where the actors actually talk…and sing...and dance. Can Don and the uniquely voiced Lina make the transition and will chorus girl Kathy Selden fulfil her dream of stardom and capture Don’s heart along the way?

With high-energy choreography, sumptuous set design and costumes, a superb score and a joyous story,SINGIN’ IN THE RAIN showers you with everything you could wish for in a hit musical.

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“A NIGHT OF SHEER DELIGHT. THE PERFECT PICK-ME-UP” Daily Telegraph

IIIII “HUMMABLE TUNES, HIGH-OCTANE DANCING, LOTS OF RAIN” Financial Times

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“A SPLASH HIT! TAKE COVER AS THE CAST KICK UP A STORM” Daily Express

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“OH BOY, THIS IS AN ENJOYABLE EVENING WHICH, AT ITS BEST, SIMPLY SOARS” The Times

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“JONATHAN CHURCH’S PRODUCTION HAS FEEL-GOOD FACTOR GALORE” Daily Mail

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“EXHILARATING… WITH INFECTIOUS BROLLY-TWIRLING GLEE” Evening Standard

The movie SINGIN’ IN THE RAIN features songs by Nacio Herb Brown and Arthur Freed, with original screenplay and adaptations by Betty Comden and Adolph Green.

The stage production of SINGIN’ IN THE RAIN is based on the classic Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer film by special arrangement with Warner Bros Theatre Ventures, Inc. Music Published by EMI. Produced by arrangement with Maurice Rosenfield, Lois F Rosenfield and Cindy Pritzker Inc.

This production is directed by Jonathan Church, with Olivier Award nominated choreography by Andrew Wright; it is designed by Simon Higlett, with Robert Scott as Musical Supervisor, sound by Matt McKenzie and lighting by Tim Mitchell.

SINGIN’ IN THE RAIN is presented in New Zealand by David Atkins Enterprises, Michael Cassel Group and Lunchbox Theatrical Productions and is produced by Stage Entertainment and Chichester Festival Theatre.

TICKETING AND SHOW INFORMATION

WELLINGTON
14 - 26 April, 2015
St James Theatre

Tickets: Ticketek

AUCKLAND

1 - 24 May, 2015

The Civic

Tickets: Ticketmaster

ends

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