I have been lucky enough to have seen "Singin' in the Rain" in London with Tommy Steele. I know I enjoyed it but can't remember much more.  I have since seen three other versions at the Edinburgh Playhouse theatre, during one of which the front three rows got soaking wet during the number "Singin'  in the Rain". This current UK Productions tour is absolutely brilliant! The strong ensemble display superb acting, singing and dancing talents which along with the cleverly designed sets and bright yet sumptuous costumes blend together to create the ambiance of Hollywood at the end of the silent movies.

It may lack the huge production numbers expected from the original musical film but "All I Do" and the finale - reprise of "Singin' in the Rain" more than make up for that.

The Gene Kelly, Tommy Steele character silent movie star Don Lockwood is played by American import Tim Flavin. Tim is not only extremely handsome but has a glorious voice and is a superb dancer. I'm sure there is a portrait of Tim in some attic aging disgracefully as he has not changed in the years I have been aware of him. Not only that but had he been born in an earlier time it could have been Tim Flavin and Debbie Reynolds or Tim and Ginger as in my mind he is as good if not better than Gene Kelly.

Speaking of the leading ladies Jessica Punch is the aspiring actress-awaiting discovery. She is petite and attractive with a lovely voice an almost perfect foil for Tim. She has /is a lovely mixture of naive innocence and personal assurity able to fool Don in to believing she doesn’t know who he is.

Graeme Henderson is the comedic catalyst and Don's best friend Cosmo Brown. I knew Graeme could sing and dance having seen him in 42nd Street and his comic timing is either brilliant direction or I suspect more to do with impeccable timing. He is involved with some of the best numbers in the show; 'Make' em Laugh', 'Moses Supposes' and 'Good Morning'. Even just the thought of some of his facial expressions are enough to set me off chuckling.

Probably the most difficult job of all falls to Amy Griffiths playing Don's on screen leading lady whose gorgeous looks belie her squeaky voiced dumb blond actuality (in the show that is). From what I managed to hear during the finale Amy has a lovely voice.

All the other bit parts and ensemble characters are really well acted. The remaining members of the cast are; Kit Benjamin, Robert Traynor, Vivienne McMaster, Rebecca Marks, Helen Evans, David Alcock, Lucy Ashenden, Felicity Chilver, Karl Clarkson, Kate Cobb, Daniel Farrow, Ian Goss, Mark Iles, Nia Jermin, Michael John, Mostyn Lawrence, Billy Mitchell, Hollie Sorelle, AlexTaylor and Kirsty Lee Turner.   The orchestra is lead by Musical Director David Lane with Robert Cousins, Tim Hammond, Alan Hase, Chris Harding, Peter Moore and David Currie. The whole spectacle is worth seeing whether you know the original or not.