Review: Singin' in the Rain at the Salisbury Playhouse

Singin' in the Rain
Salisbury Playhouse
Reviewed on Tuesday 10th May 2016
★★★

Singin' in the Rain is back with an all new actor-musician production helmed by Elizabeth Newman. Currently playing at Salisbury Playhouse, the show is set to also play the Octagon Theatre in Bolton and New Vic Theatre in Newcastle-under-Lyme.

Big Interview: Matthew Croke

Matthew Croke is currently starring as Don Lockwood in Elizabeth Newman's new actor–musician production of Singin’ in the Rain. 

The show recently opened at the Salisbury Playhouse ahead of runs at the Octagon Theatre in Bolton and the New Vic Theatre in Newcastle-under-Lyme. Matthew appeared in the 2012 West End revival of Singin’ in the Rain at the Palace Theatre, understudying the role of Don.

Matthew most recently appeared in Funny Girl at the Menier Chocolate Factory. His credits also include: understudy Fiyero in Wicked (Apollo Victoria), Diesel/standby Tony in West Side Story (UK & Ireland tour), understudy Amos Hart & Mary Sunshine in Chicago (Cambridge) and understudy Eugene in Grease (Piccadilly). 

I recently spoke to Matthew about how it feels to be taking on his first major leading role, why Singin’ in the Rain meant so much to him growing up and how the piece works as an actor–musician production. We also discussed dream roles, the high expectations of Funny Girl, returning to Wicked and having 200 of his friends and family watching him play Tony in West Side Story…

Has Don Lockwood always been one of those roles you’ve wanted to play?

When I was a kid watching Singin’ in the Rain I knew that a role like Don Lockwood was something I would always want to do. When I was able to understudy the role before I jumped at the chance, but then to be given this opportunity to make the role my own… there was no question. It’s so rare for someone like me to be given a role like this. I came to a stage in my career where I really wanted to start playing some roles of my own. In my mind I had to take a step back from dancing because you get pigeonholed. If you can dance then maybe you’re a good understudy, but what’s amazing about this role is that all three disciplines are needed.

Matthew Croke to star as Don Lockwood in Singin’ in the Rain

Casting has been announced for a new actor-musician production of Singin’ in the Rain.

Directed by Elizabeth Newman, the show will run at the Salisbury Playhouse between 5th and 28th May before touring to the Octagon Theatre in Bolton (3rd-25th June) and New Vic Theatre in Newcastle-under-Lyme (30th June-16th July).

Fresh from appearing in Funny Girl at the Menier Chocolate Factory, Matthew Croke - who previously understudied Fiyero in Wicked - will lead the cast as Don Lockwood. Croke will star alongside Christian Edwards (Oliver!/Les Misérables) as Cosmo Brown and Eleanor Brown (White Christmas/Mamma Mia!) as Kathy Selden. 

GOSSIP: Derek Hough, Daniel Crossley & Jennie Dale to star in Singin' in the Rain on Broadway

E! have reported that Derek Hough (Dancing With The Stars) will play Don Lockwood in the upcoming Broadway production of Singin' in the Rain.

Producer Harvey Weinstein is transferring Théâtre du Châtelet's hit production of the show to the Great White Way in 2017, with dates and a theatre to be confirmed.

Weinstein reportedly made the announcement at the Weinstein Company's annual pre-Oscar dinner at the Montage in Beverly Hills after Hough performed two numbers from the show.

Big Interview: Carolyn Maitland

Last year Carolyn Maitland won West End Frame’s Understudy of the Year Award for covering the role of Ellen in the West End revival of Miss Saigon at the Prince Edward Theatre. 

Carolyn will depart the production next month to star as Kathy Selden in Singin’ in the Rain at the Kilworth House Theatre.

Carolyn received huge acclaim for understudying Hannah Waddingham in Kiss Me, Kate at the Chichester Festival Theatre and Old Vic. She has understudied countless roles including Karen Holmes in From Here To Eternity (Shaftesbury), Vivienne & Serena in Legally Blonde (Savoy), Lucy Harris in Jekyll & Hyde (UK Tour), Gabriella & Taylor in High School Musical 2 (UK Tour) and Serena, Mabel & Miss Bell in Fame (UK Tour). 

I recently met with Carolyn to discuss her whirlwind year in Miss Saigon, going on as Ellen with no rehearsal and her experience in Kiss Me, Kate as well as why she was thrilled to win WEF’s Understudy of the Year Award plus much, much more…

How familiar were you with Miss Saigon before being cast in the show?

I had never, ever seen Miss Saigon! My fiancé had worked in the sound team in the original. When I was called in to be seen they had been auditioning for months and months. It was a last minute call in; when we found out From Here To Eternity was going to close they called me and a few other girls in for understudy Ellen, I think that they’d had trouble finding the fit for what they wanted. Everyone always goes on about Ellen but I had never seen it before so turned to YouTube and read about it. After my first audition – where I just did my own songs – they sent through the new song ‘Maybe’ which was actually in a different key to what they use in the show now. It was a very long and hard song to learn until you really broke down the text – I thought the song was just so beautiful. I fell in love with it and it was at that point I really started getting excited about the part. 

Review: Singin' in the Rain at Upstairs at the Gatehouse

Singin' in the Rain 
Upstairs at the Gatehouse
Reviewed on Friday 19th December 2014
★★★★

I caught Chichester's recent production of Singin' in the Rain several times so was intrigued to see how such a big glamorous musical would work in such a small theatre. John Plews' production works a treat. The small cast have to work twice as hard. They burst with energy and carry the piece from beginning to end.

Full casting announced for Singin' in the Rain at Upstairs at the Gatehouse

Casting has been announced for Ovation's production of Singin' in the Rain. The musical opens at Upstairs at the Gatehouse on 19th December 2014 (previews from 17th December) and runs until 25th January 2015.

Simon Adkins (Viva Forever/Jersey Boys, pictured right) will lead the cast as Don Lockwood. He will star alongside Frankie Jenna (Candide/Chitty Chitty Bang Bang) as Kathy Selden and Paul Harwood as Cosmo Brown.

The cast also includes: Thea Jo Wolfe as Lina Lamont, Nick Barclay as R F Simpson and Samuel Haughton as Roscoe Dexter. Martin Steven Carlton, Lindsay Atherton, Vicky Longland, Emily Wigley, Will Ferris and Matt Jolly complete the cast.

Upstairs At The Gatehouse to stage Singin’ in the Rain this Christmas

It has been announced that Ovation Productions will stage Singin’ in the Rain at Upstairs At The Gatehouse this Christmas. 

The production will run between 17th December 2014 and 25th January 2015. Tickets are on sale now.

Singin’ in the Rain tells the story of the first Hollywood musical, when the silver screen found its voice and left silent movies behind. Based on one of the world’s best-loved movies the show features all the songs from the glorious MGM score including: Good Morning, Make ‘em Laugh, Moses Supposes and the classic Singin’ in the Rain.

Review: Singin' In The Rain (UK Tour) at the Milton Keynes Theatre

Singin' In The Rain (UK Tour)

Milton Keynes Theatre

Reviewed on Wednesday 2nd July 2014

Following its Chichester stint and West End run, Singin' In The Rain is currently delighting audiences all over the UK.

Every element of Jonathan Church's glorious production transports you back to the 1920s. The set, costumes, music and choreography are all delightfully timeless. Continuing the current trend of high quality touring shows, this production is almost identical to how the show was in London - it's like having the West End brought to your doorstep!

Sneak Peek at... the Singin' in the Rain UK Tour cast

Earlier this week casting was announced for the upcoming UK Tour of Singin' in the Rain. It was revealed that the cast will star James Leece as ‘Don Lockwood’, Amy Ellen Richardson as ‘Kathy Selden’ and Stephane Anelli as ‘Cosmo Brown’ as well as stage and screen leading man Maxwell Caulfield as studio boss ‘R.F. Simpson’, pop legend Faye Tozer and Coronation Street favourite Vicky Binns who share the role of starlet ‘Lina Lamont’. Take a look at the cast in action below (click on an image to enlarge).

This production of Singin' in the Rain opened at the Chichester Festival Theatre in summer 2011 and extended due to unprecedented public demand. It then transferred to the West End's Palace Theatre in February 2012 where it received four Olivier Award nominations, and played to more than 750,000 audience members.

Maxwell Caulfield, Faye Tozer and Vicky Binns to star in Singin' in the Rain UK Tour!

James Leece, Amy Ellen Richardson & Stephane Anelli

Casting has been announced for the upcoming UK Tour of Singin' in the Rain which opens at the Manchester Opera House on Wednesday 13th November 2013 (with previews from Saturday 9th November). The Chichester Festival Theatre production will play a Christmas and New Year season in Cardiff before visiting cities across the country.

Singin' in the Rain will star James Leece as ‘Don Lockwood’, Amy Ellen Richardson as ‘Kathy Selden’ and Stephane Anelli as ‘Cosmo Brown’ as well as stage and screen leading man Maxwell Caulfield as studio boss ‘R.F. Simpson’, pop legend Faye Tozer and Coronation Street favourite Vicky Binns who share the role of starlet ‘Lina Lamont’. 

Maxwell Caulfield said “I am beyond thrilled to be hitting the road with Singin’ in the Rain. As a huge fan of the original movie, the chance to bring this story to life on stage is something I couldn’t pass up and it’ll be great visiting some of the beautiful theatres on the tour, some I’ve been to previously, some are going to be a brand new experience for me. Theatre work is a huge passion of mine and having dealt with a few studio bosses in my time too, I relish the opportunity to play RF Simpson in this glorious production”.

Interview: Sherrie Pennington, currently in Singin' In The Rain

Sherrie Pennington is currently in Singin' In The Rain at the Palace Theatre understudying Kathy Selden. Sherrie's most recent theatre credits include the UK tour of White Christmas, Me and My Girl at the Sheffield Crucible and Legally Blonde at the Savoy Theatre. Her other West End Credits include The Drowsy Chaperone, Beauty and the Beast, Mamma Mia! and the award-winning Mel Brooks musical The Producers. Sherrie chats to West End Frame about understudying Kathy Selden, how touring compares to being in the West End and what she would be doing now if she didn't become an actress...

Are you enjoying your time in Singin’ In The Rain? 

Yes, I have been a fan of the MGM film for many years and so was thrilled to be offered it when it was being staged in Chichester last year. The transfer to London was a huge bonus for us all and we are still having a splashing time! 

Why do you think the show is so popular? 

I believe everyone has grown up with the film and this new production on stage retains the same feel good quality – countless well-known tunes, a great story and the iconic dance routine that leaves the front seven rows a little damp!

Robert Powell to join the cast of Singin' In The Rain from 1st October

Photo Credit: Alastair Muir

Film and television star Robert Powell will join the cast of Singin’ in the Rain from 1 October 2012. The musical is now booking at the Palace Theatre until 1st September 2013. The news coincides with the 60th anniversary of the release of the iconic 1952 MGM film version starring Gene Kelly, Donald O’Connor and Debbie Reynolds. The Original London Cast Recording of this production of Singin’ in the Rain was also recently released by First Night Records, reaching number one on the soundtrack chart during its first month on sale. Click here to read our recent 5 star review of the album.

Alexandra Burke to sing 'On My Own' in Les Misérables for Children In Need

Earlier this week it was announced that former Spice Girl Geri Halliwell, X Factor winner Alexandra Burke, R&B singer Macy Gray and boy band Blue will all join a West End Musical for one night only later this year to raise money for Children In Need and now we have some more details!

Album Review: Singin' In The Rain (2012 London Cast Recording)

Singin' In The Rain
2012 London Cast Recording
First Night Records

What I love most about the 2012 London cast recording of Singin' In The Rain is that it is more than just a cast recording. It is also an album containing great vocalists singing great versions of classic songs. The album captures the magic of the show which is not something cast albums always manage to achieve.

Geri Halliwell, Alexandra Burke, Macy Gray & Blue join West End Shows for Children In Need 2012

Former Spice Girl Geri Halliwell, X Factor winner Alexandra Burke, R&B singer Macy Gray and boy band Blue will all join a West End Musical for one night only later this year to raise money for Children In Need. 50% of the £80 ticket price for each show will go to Children in Need.

Dress Circle to host Singin’ In The Rain album signing at the Palace Theatre on 18/08/12

Dress Circle, in association with the Palace Theatre, is delighted to announce a CD signing with the fabulous cast of Singin’ In The Rain on Saturday 18th August 2012 from 12-1pm. The signing will be hosted by Dress Circle in the foyer of the Palace Theatre. Cast members attending the signing will be Adam Cooper, Scarlett Strallen and Daniel Crossley.

Dress Circle would like to say a huge thank you to the Palace Theatre for allowing the use of their wonderful venue for this event. They hope this will be the first of many signings that they host in and around the West End.

It’s the roaring ’20s and silent movie stars are the biggest names in the world. Don Lockwood has it all, a string of hit films and a studio-engineered romance with the most beautiful actress in town. But with the new phenomenon of the talking picture on the way and a chance meeting with a talented young chorus girl set to steal his heart, things are about to change for Don and for Hollywood forever.