DON Lockwood is a silent movie star with everything going for him - fame, adulation and a high profile ‘romance’ with his glamorous co-star, Lina Lamont.
But Hollywood is about to change forever. There’s a 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 to talkies? And will chorus girl Kathy Selden fulfil her dream of stardom and capture Don’s heart along the way?
The stage production of Singin’ in the Rain, based on the classic Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer film, is about as perfect as musical theatre gets. A smash hit in the West End, and more recently Sadler’s Wells., this Olivier Award-nominated production will be at Bradford’s Alhambra theatre from July 11-16.
With a score that includes Make ‘em Laugh, Good Morning and Singin’ in the Rain, the show stars Sam Lips as Don Lockwood, with Charlotte Gooch as Kathy, Ross McLaren as Cosmo Brown and Jenny Gayner as Lina Lamont.
Singin’ in the Rain has played to more than 750,000 people - some leaving the theatre a little wetter than when they arrived! The show’s spectacular rain scenes use the equivalent of five tonnes of water and more than 100 metres of heavy-duty rubber hose. It takes 15 minutes to drain and after each performance the water is recovered, then recycled, cleaned and used again.
* Bingley Little Theatre’s final production of the season is acclaimed farce One Man, Two Guvnors. Richard Bean’s comedy was a huge hit at the National Theatre in 2011, with James Corden earning nightly standing ovations.
Inspired by The Servant of Two Masters, by Italian playwright Carlo Goldoni, it replaces the Italy setting with 1960s Brighton, where Francis Henshall is down on his luck, permanently hungry, and suddenly finding himself employed by two bosses.
Francis is working for London gangster Roscoe Crabbe and lands another job with posh Stanley Stubbers. Trouble is, Roscoe is really his sister, Rachel, posing as her dead brother, who’s been killed by her boyfriend, Stanley Stubbers.
Meanwhile, Stubbers is hiding from the police. All Francis has to do is not confuse the jobs that Crabbe and Stubbers give him...while trying to prevent the two of them from meeting.
Further complications arise with local mobster Charlie the Duck, who has arranged his daughter Pauline’s engagement to Roscoe, despite her preference for over-the-top amateur actor Alan Dangle. Throw in a very elderly waiter and Francis’ pursuit of his two passions, Dolly (Charlie’s buxom book-keeper), and fish and chips, and there are laughs-a-plenty in this fast-paced classic.
Director Damien O’Keeffe says the play retains the characteristics of the Commedia dell’Arte of the 1560s, with stock characters and slapstick comedy that would become the staples of pantomime, silent movies and sitcoms. The production stars Bruce Sturrock as Francis, joined by Paul Chewins and his daughter, Jessica.
One Man, Two Guvnors runs at Bingley Arts Centre from July 4-9 at 7.30pm. Call (01274) 567983.
* WHO need Glastonbury when you have the Piece Hal?
Live At The Piece Hall 2022 got underway this week, with concerts by pop queen Jessie Ware, Noel Gallagher’s High Flying Birds and First Aid Kit. This summer’s live music programme continues with Duran Duran, Paloma Faith, Tom Jones, Paul Weller, Primal Scream and Tom Grennan.
Nicky Chance-Thompson DL, CEO of The Piece Hall Trust, says: “With our new partners, Cuffe and Taylor, we have a fantastic line-up; a strong mix of world class artists and outstanding local talent.”
Music legends Nile Rodgers and Chic are on tonight, and Pete Tong and The Heritage Orchestra bring their Ibiza Classics show to the historic venue tomorrow evening.
Peter Taylor, co-founder of Cuffe and Taylor who have a five-year deal to promote headline shows at The Piece Hall, said: “It’s going to be an epic summer of live music. We’re really proud of the line-up we have programmed which we feel has something for everyone. There are still a few tickets left to be snapped up. If you want to be part of what will be an incredible summer of live music here at The Piece Hall, don’t hang around - get your tickets now!”
* SOUTH Asian Heritage Month (July 18 to August 17) is celebrated with a stand-up comedy night at Halifax’s Victoria Theatre.
Taking place the theatre’s Green Room Bar on Saturday, July 23, the line-up features some of the best Asian comedians on the comedy circuit - Preet Singh, Isma Almas, Imran Yusuf and MC Mickey Sharma.
Bradford-born Isma Almas’s comedy draws on her take on life as a British Muslim woman, who grew up between Pakistan and Yorkshire. As well as regular gigs at comedy clubs across the UK, Isma has performed at the Edinburgh Fringe, at London’s Barbican Centre for Stonewall, at Bradford’s Literature Festival and on a “raucous luxury gay cruise around the Med”.
Preet Singh is a stand-up comedian, writer, podcaster and radio host. Since hitting the London circuit in 2018, he has appeared at comedy clubs across the UK and in New York and Berlin. During the pandemic, he founded Laugh-a-Lot Comedy Club.
Imran Yusuf is a skilful raconteur who fuses socio-political satire with heartfelt introspection, delivered in his charming trademark style. Imran is of East-African Indian descent, born in Mombasa, Kenya and raised in London.
Mickey Sharma is an Indian born in Pakistan while his father was working for the Indian Embassy. The family later moved to Beijing, then Hong Kong, before returning to India, where Mickey lived until 2002 when he moved to Birmingham. Having had a variety of jobs, including waiter, shelf stacker, camera assistant and bouncer, Mickey started out in comedy and now performs across the UK and overseas.
For tickets call (01422) 351158 or go to victoriatheatre.co.uk more about South Asian Heritage Month visit southasianheritage.org.uk
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