Bolton Evening News

IT is hard for any amateur group to do justice to a film classic, but Walmsley's Singing In The Rain is an all-singing, all-dancing success. Director Nora Howcroft has marshalled a huge cast to create a spectacular show that embraces the challenge of following Gene Kelly and Debbie Reynolds. The lead actors belie their youth to show both wit and maturity. James Eccleshare, as Don Lockwood, shows off his dancing skills in several impressive dance routines, choreographed by Lara Crombie. The young actor shows a depth of talent which would make many of his older peers jealous. Beth Corrigan, playing across from him as Kathy Selden, is not, however, overshadowed and she fairly sparkles on stage. Sean Hargreaves stepped into the role of Cosmo Brown at the last minute, but it is impossible to tell as he plays the comic foil, and best friend, to Eccleshare's Don, while Adrienne Wormald brings glamour with a bite to the production as the scheming Lina Lamont. A massive supporting cast brings this extra-special, high octane show to life, and all received well-deserved applause. Here is a production that will have you singing - come rain or shine. Kat Dibbits

NODA North West News

A show with such an iconic pedigree boasting the likes of Gene Kelly and Co., Tommy Steele and the inimitable Morcambe and Wise, comparisons are sometimes difficult to set aside. So was this a problem – no not really! From the film sequencing system being used to introduce the entire cast during the overture, via excellent principals and sub-principals to a deluge of rain provided by the ever inventive backstage crew (thankfully avoiding drowning the orchestra in the pit), this production by Nora Howcroft ticked all the right boxes. The suave, silent screen star, Don Lockwood, played by James Eccleshare, and his irreverent sidekick, Cosmo Brown, played by Sean Hargreaves, were on top form. Both displayed strong vocal and acting abilities. However it was their energetic terpsichorean skills that really caught the eye. The self-centred Lina Lamont with her shrill, contorted vowels was played to perfection by Adrienne Wormald, who gave a most effective delivery of 'What's Wrong With Me?'. On the opposite side of the coin the all-sweetness-and-light, Kathy Seldon, was very well portrayed by Beth Corrigan. The supporting roles of R.F. Simpson and Roscoe Dexter were brilliantly played by the experienced Mike Taylor and Steve Benson. Where there is little chorus work in a show it is understandable that the chorus is used at every conceivable opportunity and this has been known, on occasions, to ruin completely a principal number. In this case both chorus and dancers combined effectively and were never over obtrusive. The technical requirements were particularly good, especially the film sequences and the sound stage scene. Musical director, Ben Smith, and his accomplished orchestra provided excellent backing, Choreography by Lara Crombie was very good and once again the society provided all that is best on the amateur stage. Glyn Neary