Brollies out for the cast of Singin In The Rain

Manchester's Royal Exchange Theatre has announced the cast for its traditionally "alternative" Christmas show, Singin' In The Rain (November 29-January 18).

The theatre has never much gone in for Christmas-orientated shows but instead chooses classic comedies and family entertainments, and more recently popular musicals. This one will be directed by Raz Shaw - the man responsible for the Exchange's highly-acclaimed production of Mel Brooks' The Producers for Christmas 2018.

Featuring a score that includes Make ‘em laugh, Good Mornin’, Moses Supposes and title song Singin’ In The Rain, one of the best film musicals of all tells of the highs and lows of Hollywood as it moves from silent movies to the "talkies". The stage show contains a large numnber of the key elements of the movie - including the performance of the title song in a genuine barrage of rainwater.

Dashing film star Don Lockwood will be played by Louis Gaunt, who returns to the Exchange after his performance in Gypsy in 2019. His other credits include Mary Poppins and the current production of Brigadoon at the Regent’s Park Open Air Theatre

The silent star with the horrible voice for talkies, Lina Lamont, is played by Laura Baldwin (101 Dalmations; Waitress).

Don's love-interest and the first movie singing stand-in, Kathy Selden, will be played by Carly Mercedes Dyer (Anything Goes, A Chorus Line; Assassins), while Don's comic sidekick Cosmo Brown will be Danny Collins (Titus Andronicus, Cats). Carl Sanderson (Sweet Charity; Kiss Me Kate) will join them as Roscoe Dexter, with Clancy Ryan (Harry Potter and the Cursed Child; Cabaret)) as Dora Bailey and Julius D’Silva as RF Simpson (& Juliet; The Crown).

The supporting cast of nine have credits ranging from Guys and Dolls to White Christmas and The Great Gatsby.

More info and tickets here