Singin' in the Rain

[smallhobbit]

I'm also using this for Carpe Diem: Friday because it's celebrating creators, in this case all those who've been working incredibly hard to bring back live theatre.

I originally booked to see Singin' in the Rain in early 2020, when it was due to be performed in July/August 2020.  Due to reasons which will be obvious it was put off a year, but my ticket was carried forward.  When I mentioned to The Daughter that I was going she said she wanted to come to, so we asked SM (husband/father) and he said he'd come as well.  Because even in May this year there were loads of seats available, I was able to book their seats next to mine.

So the day came and we all travelled up to London and stayed overnight.  I'd found a Travelodge within walking distance of Sadler's Wells, which turned out to be an excellent move.  We had a great lunch to celebrate TD's 30th birthday (two month's late, but she was in north Wales on the actual day).

As for the production: Sadler's Wells is a theatre I really like - the view from the second gallery is good and the tickets there were reasonably priced.  Adam Cooper, who played Don Lockwood, is no Gene Kelly, but he's a good dancer - I'd seen him before in December 2019 in Matthew Bourne's The Red Shoes.  Kevin Clifton as Cosmo Brown was great - (he used to be on Strictly Come Dancing) and he and Cooper worked really well together.  Charlotte Gooch as Kathy Selden was also very good, and the three really brought their routines to life - my favourite being Good Morning.  TD's favourite was the iconic Singin' in the Rain which included splashing some of the audience, and yes, was good, but by its very nature isn't as complex.

But the whole performance was really enjoyable - the ensemble singing and dancing, the colours and staging, the band who were playing behind the scenes.  And of course the story itself is just fun and positive and it was really lovely to be back in the theatre.

So hooray, for all those on stage, backstage and front of stage for giving a lot of people and most enjoyable evening.

Comments

[stonepicnicking_okapi]

Glad you all had a good time!

[smallhobbit]

Thank you very much!

[pensnest]

I think I saw Adam Cooper as Don Lockwood, possibly in the West End, and certainly quite a few years ago. It is delightful even though nothing could be quite as wonderful as the film. But you get to see it rain on stage, which delighted me.

And yes, lovely to be back in the theatre.

[smallhobbit]

Yes, I know he's played him before. The film is excellent, but being live this was special too - especially this year!

[nagi_schwarz]

I’d love to see Adam Cooper live! He was the original Swan in Swan Lake.

[smallhobbit]

Yes, he's had a long association with Matthew Bourne. He was good and it's a massive role to fill.

[grondfic]

Lovely that you managed to get to a live production, and so glad you enjoyed it. Adam Cooper! Wow!

We're back to venturing forth too, even though the rigmarole that you have to go through just to get past the theatre doors, is a total bummer.

[smallhobbit]

It was great to be back. And an excellent production to return to.

Glad you're getting back too. I'd looked at other things too, but so far there's not been anything that's appealed enough at a price I'm prepared to pay.

[kat_lair]

Sounds like a brilliant show!

[smallhobbit]

It was - and so lovely to be back in a theatre.

[margaret_r]

That sounds like a lovely evening for you all and a delightful celebration for your daughter's birthday:D

[smallhobbit]

It was a special evening. And after all the uncertainty of the past months it was really good to go.

[rusty_armour]

I'm glad that you enjoyed Singin' in the Rain. I'm sure you were happy to be able to see it at last. It also sounds like it was a great overnight excursion for everyone. One good thing about the pandemic is that it now makes us appreciate certain experiences so much more. I think it's wonderful that you want to celebrate everyone who works in theatre -- both on stage and behind the scenes.

[smallhobbit]

Thank you - it was lovely to be able to go and enjoy ourselves.

[solosundance]

Good to hear it was an enjoyable performance and a lovely night out! I love Sadlers Wells too - and miss it! And SintR is such a classic. My favourite song in the film is Moses Supposes :) I was a big fan of Adam Cooper in his pre-Bourne days when he was a Royal Ballet principal and partner. Fabulous classical dancer.

[smallhobbit]

Thank you - an entirely appropriate icon! Sadler's Wells is such a great theatre - we're seeing The Nutcracker there in December (we had debated about seeing it elsewhere, but there's something special about SW). Moses Supposes is another great song and routine - there's so many to choose from. I'd love to have seen Adam Cooper at the Royal Ballet - I really enjoyed his performance in The Red Shoes.

[debriswoman]

Delighted all went well:-)

[smallhobbit]

Thank you - it was lovely!