Faye Tozer Steps Into Lina Lamont's Shoes For Singing In The Rain Musical

The critically acclaimed award-winning Chichester Festival Theatre production Singing in the Rain which stars Maxwell Caulfield as RF Simpson and Faye Tozer as Lina Lamont, comes to Wales Millennium Centre from 3 December 2013 to 5 January 2014, as part of a nationwide tour.

“I've been blown away by the audience reaction, while the audience have been blown away by the quality of the show.” Actress and Steps star Faye Tozer recently told Andy Howells , “They've really gone all out to make it a visual spectacular and I’m just very proud to be part of it “

A show that all the family can enjoy, Singing in the Rain tells the story of Don Lockwood, a silent movies star with everything he could want - fame, adulation and a well-publicised ‘romance’ with his co-star Lina Lamont. But Hollywood is about to change forever. There is rumour in the studio of a new kind of film, where the actors actually talk…and sing...and dance.

“That period the costumes are just a dream the fashion at the time,” says Faye, “the colours, the romance, the whole thing. Its a real delicious luxurious era when Hollywood had so much money and an exciting time for film as well.”

The show features songs by Nacio Herb Brown and Arthur Freed, including Make ‘em Laugh, Good Morning, Moses Supposes and Singing in the Rain.

• A version of this Interview by Andy Howells ran in The South Wales Argus Entertainment Supplement The Guide during November 2013.

In Concert: The Sensational 60s Experience (2013), St David's Hall, Cardiff

Returning to St David’s Hall last week, The Sensational Sixties Experience tour didn't disappoint. Alan Moscha of The Dreamers seamlessly introduced Steve Ellis’ Love Affair, Herman’s Hermits, Chris Farlowe and The Marmalade as they rock and rolled back the years to perform greatest hits and crowd pleasers that frequently had the audience on their feet.

The original mod Steve Ellis kicked off the evening with a fabulous set backed by five incredibly talented musicians who made up this tours version of The Love Affair. The sax sounds and smooth bass lines of classics such as A Day Without Love, Rainbow Valley, Bringing Back The Good Times and Everlasting Love proved that Steve is still top of his game.

“There’s no top billing.” Steve told the audience who were perhaps surprised they were getting quality performances from the offset, “We’re all mates together” he continued referring to the acts that were to follow.

Herman’s Hermits featuring original drummer Barry Whitwam were up next. Selling millions of records around the globe in the 60s always assures this band a great reception as they belt out classics such as No Milk Today and I’m Into Something Good.

The second half kicked off with pure R and B courtesy of Chris Farlowe, another crowd pleaser who remembered his friend Otis Redding by singing Mr Pitiful as well as his own Number One, Out Of Time.

Finally The Marmalade took to the stage to give a vibrant energetic performance of classic hits Falling Apart At The Seams and Rainbow as well as tracks from their new album Penultimate which features a beautiful Celtic rendition of the Beatles Norwegian Wood.

Next years show taking place on November 25, 2014 is already on sale – don’t miss it!

• A version of this review by Andy Howells was published in The South Wales Argus during November 2013.
• Read Andy Howells review of The Sensational 60s Experience 2012.
• Visit the official site for The Sensational 60s Experience