The wonderful Norfolk & Norwich Operatic Society marked its centenary show in some style, with an impressive production dripping in both dazzling technical effects and superb performances to match.
Rather appropriately, Singin' in the Rain transports us back 100 years to the 1920s when the era of silent movies was making way for the 'talkies', and film star Don Lockwood - of course, iconically portrayed in the Hollywood movie by Gene Kelly - finds himself having to adapt to a new way of film-making. Stepping up to fill those shoes for NNOS is Alex Green, and his virtuosic tour-de-force is a marvel, showcasing his incredible talent for dance and his delightfully clean vocals in a performance oozing with star quality.
Don's best friend, Cosmo, is played with great skill by Dan Moore, injecting the character with both a sense of whimsy and melancholy. Moore gracefully tap dances his way through a number of routines throughout the show, and his big number Make 'Em Laugh is performed with pleasing precision.
Kimberley Mason is a delight as the sweet yet feisty dancer, Kathy Seldon, whose voice saves Don's laughable first attempt at a talking picture. Her beautiful vocals are pitch perfect, and she showed she was a match for Don and Cosmo in the dancing department with a wonderful routine in Good Morning.
Emily Johnson is suitably shrill and graceless as Lina Lamont, and her sense of comedy shines throughout, but none more so than in the superb delivery of her song What's Wrong With Me? which left me not knowing whether to laugh or cry for her character.
Elsewhere, the team of dancers, largely led by Philippa Nortcliffe, impressed whenever they were utilised, adding a touch of class with their precise choreography, and giving some extra colour to a handful of scenes.
On the technical front, this has to be the most impressive show I've seen from NNOS. As well as a frequent dazzling display created by the digital backdrop, the company's use of a waterfall mechanism to create some real rainfall in the titular song was stunning, and with the addition of lighting effects, created an incredible visual spectacle.
It was also a treat when the onstage curtain occasionally came up to see the company's brilliant band playing live. If I had one teeny criticism, it would be that the use of a backdrop and not much in the way of set meant that sometimes the stage felt a little sparse, especially given how sparingly the ensemble were used.
As a showcase to celebrate NNOS 100th anniversary, this was the perfect show, and so marvellously executed. What a glorious feeling indeed - Singin' in the Rain continues at Norwich Theatre Royal until 1st Feb.
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