Note 10:Singin' in the Rain

You may know the classic movie ‘Singin' in the Rain’, but you may not know there is also a musical version with lyrics by Arthur Freed, and music by Nacio Herb Brown. The show opened on 15th February 2012, and is adapted from the 1952 movie of the same name, which itself looks back to 1927– two years before the Wall Street Crash, when flappers, film stars and aviators were partying like there was no hangover tomorrow.

Here’s the plot for people who’s not familiar with the story. It was the roaring ’20s and silent movie stars are the biggest names in the world. Singin’ in the Rain tells the story of Don Lockwood, silent movie star who has everything a person dreams of – fame, popularity and a romance with co-star Lina Lamont. With the on-going rumors of the possibility of sound being synchronized with picture which would surely revolutionize the movie industry and change everything, the silent stars, including Don, are nervous. When it is revealed that Lina has the voice closes to nails being scratched down a blackboard, Don and his comedy sidekick, Cosmo, go in search of an alternative. On finding the beautiful yet snooty Kathy Selden, a chorus girl prone to jumping out of cakes with the voice of an angel, Don tries to convince her to dub in for his co-star diva. Unfortunately both Lina and Kathy are stubborn, leading to Don being forced to work his Hollywood star charm. Although where Kathy is concerned, both her and Don get more than they bargained for as they embark upon a whirlwind romance.

It’s possible that you don’t even know the movie’ Singin' in the Rain’, but it’s definitely impossible that you have never heard of the song’ Singin' in the Rain.’ Besides the legendary number, other classic ones includes’ Good Morning’,’ Make ‘em Laugh’, and’ Moses Supposes’ are well known to the world. What’s more, the stylish choreography and sumptuous set design brighten the whole play. Hailed by critics as the ultimate feel-good show, Singin’ in the Rain “genuinely makes you feel better about life” (Charles Spencer, The Daily Telegraph). For me, the show indeed induced a very happy calm after the storm.