A Storm Is Brewing

A Storm Is Brewing

Dancers hit the streets this week in a wave of colour

AUCKLAND: Aotea Square: 12.30pm, Thursday, 19 February

WELLINGTON: Midland Park, 12.30pm, Friday, 20 February

A typhoon of colour and creativity are set to sweep through New Zealand this week as scores of dancers hit the streets in Auckland and Wellington to celebrate the imminent arrival of the West End stage spectacular SINGIN’ IN THE RAIN.

At 12.30pm on Thursday, 19 February, some 50 dancers will explode into action in Auckland’s Aotea Square, performing dazzling routines inspired by the great Gene Kelly and Debbie Reynolds’ romantic dance extravaganza.

The following day in Wellington, dancers will spill onto Lambton Quay, creating a storm of colour with swirling umbrellas and a thunderous clap of tap in Midland Park from 12.30pm.

Lunchtime crowds are invited to come along to the events – and may even strike it lucky!

SINGIN’ IN THE RAIN is being presented in both cities by the producers of Jersey Boys, The Sound of Music and Annie.

This critically acclaimed production from London’s West End opens at the St James Theatre in Wellington on 15 April and will play for a strictly limited season before moving to The Civic in Auckland where it will open on 1 May.

Making a splash from the moment it premiered, this sensational production of SINGIN’ IN THE RAIN extended 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.

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!

Presenter and CEO of Lunchbox Theatrical Productions, James Cundall says, “This production of SINGIN’ IN THE RAIN was one of the hottest tickets in the West End during its run, and I’m sure it will generate the same buzz in Wellington and Auckland. I am absolutely delighted to have the opportunity to bring one of my favourite musicals to New Zealand audiences – this show is a winner because it sends people out of the theatre in the happiest of moods!”

Co-presenter Paul Dainty, Executive Chairman of Dainty Group, says, “SINGIN’ IN THE RAIN is the most brilliant comedy about the film industry. Egomaniac stars, monstrous film moguls, fickle fans, classic ‘golden-era’ choreography and slapstick comedies are all brilliantly included. There are floods of laughter and a drenching of big, colourful and remarkable musical numbers.”

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 recently took New Zealand by storm with her performance as Maria in The Sound of Music, and now returns to the stage as the wannabe actress Kathy. 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 RAINshowers you with everything you could wish for in a hit musical.

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