Singin’ in the Rain Gone Wrong! – June 2017

After enduring a series of blunders and mishaps with their previous productions, The Fotheringham Amateur Repertory Theatrical Society, affectionately known as FARTS, is filled with a renewed sense of hope as they prepare to stage the beloved classic, Singin’ in the Rain.

This charming musical intricately weaves the tale of Hollywood’s iconic silent film duo, Don Lockwood and Lina Lamont, and explores the tumultuous transition to the era of talkies. However, the journey from script to stage is rife with additional challenges that threaten to derail their ambitious production.

At the helm is an overbearing, albeit unskilled, first-time director who seems more interested in asserting authority than in coaxing genuine performances from his cast. Compounding the tension is a leading actor who, plagued by anxiety, resorts to alcohol as a misguided coping mechanism to calm his nerves.

The ensemble cast is a colourful mix of self-absorbed performers, each battling for the spotlight and more than willing to stir up chaos, creating an atmosphere thick with rivalries and comedic misunderstandings. Meanwhile, the stagehands, far from being the silent support required for a smooth production, add their own share of mischief and mayhem, further complicating the already precarious situation.

As opening night approaches, the sense of anticipation builds, yet the FARTS team remains blissfully unaware of the string of unexpected events that are about to unfold. With fate seemingly conspiring against them, the group’s optimistic aspirations for a memorable first night are in jeopardy. Despite the mayhem, the old adage holds true: the show must go on. Little do they know, the evening promises to be one that the audience—and the cast—will never forget.