Singin' in the Rain
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Splashing onto the West End with "Singin' in the Rain"
"Singin' in the Rain" is a jubilant musical that drenched London’s West End with its premiere at the London Palladium on June 30, 1983, running until September 28, 1985, for an impressive 894 performances. With a score by Nacio Herb Brown and Arthur Freed, and a book by Betty Comden and Adolph Green adapted from their 1952 MGM film this production, directed and choreographed by Tommy Steele, starred Steele as Don Lockwood alongside Roy Castle and Danielle Carson. Revived in 2012 at the Palace Theatre from February 4 to June 6, with Adam Cooper leading, it won the Olivier Award for Best Choreography for Andrew Wright’s splashy staging, cementing its status as a West End classic that literally rains on stage.
A Hollywood Golden Age Tale
Set in 1927, the story follows silent film star Don Lockwood and his sidekick Cosmo Brown as Hollywood shifts to talkies. Don’s on-screen partner, Lina Lamont, has a voice like a squeaky hinge, threatening their latest flick, The Dueling Cavalier. Enter Kathy Selden, a chorus girl with pipes of gold, sparking romance with Don and jealousy from Lina. With Cosmo’s quick thinking, they turn the film into a musical, The Singing Cavalier, dubbing Kathy’s voice over Lina’s. Chaos ensues Lina’s sabotage fails spectacularly at the premiere culminating in Don and Kathy’s triumph, a love story sealed under a downpour that drenches the front rows with 12,000 litres of water per run.
A Creative Downpour
Betty Comden and Adolph Green’s book preserves the film’s wit, paired with Brown and Freed’s timeless tunes “Singin’ in the Rain,” “Good Morning,” “Make ‘Em Laugh.” Steele’s 1983 direction infused it with Palladium pizzazz, while Stanley Lebowsky conducted a lush orchestra. The 2012 revival, produced by Stage Entertainment and Chichester Festival Theatre, saw Jonathan Church direct and Andrew Wright choreograph, with Cooper’s Don, Scarlett Strallen’s Kathy, and Daniel Crossley’s Cosmo dazzling anew. Gareth Valentine’s musical supervision and Simon Higlett’s art deco sets plus real rain elevated the spectacle, earning Wright’s Olivier nod for moves that mirrored Gene Kelly’s iconic bounce.
A West End Double Act
The 1983 Palladium run, fresh from Steele’s U.S. tour, drew raves The Times called it “a glorious splash” and packed houses for over two years, with Castle’s Cosmo a riot. The 2012 Palace Theatre revival, after Chichester’s 2011 sell-out, ran 141 performances, extending twice due to demand. Critics hailed its “exuberant charm” (Evening Standard), with Cooper’s lamppost swing a highlight. UK tours followed 1986-1989, 2014-2015, 2021-2022 while a 2016 Sadler’s Wells stint kept the umbrella twirling. Its West End legacy shines brightest at the Palladium and Palace, where rain-soaked joy met theatrical magic.
Songs That Soak the Soul
The score is a golden-age treasure: “Singin’ in the Rain” lifts Don’s spirits, “You Are My Lucky Star” seals his romance, and “Good Morning” turns a trio into a tap-dancing delight. “Make ‘Em Laugh” unleashes Cosmo’s slapstick, while “Broadway Melody” dazzles with a dream ballet. Performed live with a big-band bounce, the 1983 cast recording captures Steele’s verve, and the 2012 album showcases Cooper’s warmth. Wright’s choreography splashing through puddles pairs with the music to recreate the film’s euphoria, a wet-and-wild finale that leaves audiences grinning.
A Rain-Soaked Legacy
From its 1982 Houston premiere to Broadway’s 1985-1986 run (367 performances), "Singin’ in the Rain" has danced globally Tokyo, Paris, Sydney. Its West End triumphs spurred tours and regional hits, like a 2023 Milton Keynes run with Faye Tozer. The 2012 Olivier win for choreography underscores its physical flair, while Steele’s Palladium record over 1,000 career shows there adds lore. A 2020 Japan tour with Adam Garcia and a 2025 UK tour signal its staying power. It’s a love letter to cinema’s pivot, drenched in nostalgia and stagecraft that keeps the taps flowing.
Why "Singin’ in the Rain" Shines
"Singin’ in the Rain" enchants with its unabashed glee a Hollywood fairy tale where rain is the star. Its West End runs at the Palladium and Palace delivered pure escapism, blending golden-age tunes with a literal splash that soaks the stalls. It’s a celebration of resilience and romance, where Don’s puddle-stomp feels timeless. For London audiences, it’s a wet, wild romp that turns theatre into a downpour of delight, proving some classics never dry out they just keep dancing in the rain.