SINGIN’ IN THE RAIN
★★★★
Sadlers Wells until September 5, sadlerswells.com
This splendid adaptation had me singin’ in my seat all night. It faithfully follows the beloved 1952 Gene Kelly movie musical about the advent of the “talkies”, hilariously recreating the original’s silent movie scenes and unleashing 6,000 gallons of water for that iconic title number. Pack a mackintosh if you’re in the front rows.
Ballet superstar Adam Cooper radiates charisma as Hollywood leading man Don Lockwood and shares winning chemistry with the excellent Charlotte Gooch as plucky starlet Kathy Selden. Former Strictly star Kevin Clifton charms as Don’s best friend Cosmo, matching great comic timing with fancy footwork.
In a classy cast, the revelation is Steps star Faye Tozer as screeching silent movie harridan Lina Lamont, torturously mangling every vowel. It takes real talent to be that bad.