Top talent lined up for Singin’ in the Rain in Milton Keynes

Stars from stage and screen will hit Milton Keynes next year when a new production of Singin’ in the Rain comes to the city.

The musical will take theatregoers back to the glamour of Hollywood in the roaring ‘20s with high-energy choreography and sumptuous set designs, combined with all the romance and wit of one of the world’s most beloved films.

It tells of Don Lockwood and Lina Lamont, Hollywood’s golden couple, who are beautiful, charismatic and very much in love – if the press are to believed. They have the world at their feet. But when ‘talkies’ start to replace silent movies, and an aspiring actress is drafted in to save the day, life as they know it is turned upside down.

The production stars Natalie Anderson and Karen Hauer, who will share the role of Lina Lamont, and Grant Almirall as Don Lockwood. Nicole-Lily Baisden plays aspiring actress Kathy Selden, Matthew Maddison plays Don’s best friend Cosmo Brown and Wendi Peters plays gossip columnist and radio announcer Dora Bailey.

Natalie Anderson is best known for her role as Alicia Metcalfe in ITV’s Emmerdale. Her further screen credits include Danielle Silverton in ITV’s Coronation Street, Claire in Netflix’s Fool Me Once, and Stella Davenport in The Royal. On stage, Natalie’s credits include Lauren in the UK tour of Fat Friends the Musical and Nessarose in Wicked at the Apollo Victoria.

Karen Hauer is a professional Latin dance specialist and World Mambo Champion, best known for appearing on BBC’s Strictly Come Dancing. She was the longest-serving female professional dancer on the show. Her theatre credits include Mavis in the UK tour of Stepping Out, Speakeasy, Firedance, Firedance Reignite and the original Broadway cast and international tours of Burn the Floor.

Grant Almirall is no stranger to the role of Don Lockwood, having previously starred in the show in several international tours. His further theatre credits include the role of Frankie Valli in Jersey Boys, Ken in Dalliances, Jesus Christ Superstar, Evita, Boys in the Photograph, Cats, Chicago, Hairspray and Rent.

Nicole-Lily Baisden’s theatre credits include the role of Dale Tremont in the UK tour of Top Hat, Peggy Sawyer in 42nd Street at Sadler’s Wells and on tour, Hope Harcourt in Anything Goes at the Barbican, Nabulungi in The Book of Mormon, both in the West End and the UK and international tour, and Harry Potter and the Cursed Child at the Palace Theatre.

Matthew Maddison returns to the role of Cosmo Brown, having toured China with the production. His further theatre credits include Hello, Dolly!, A Christmas Carol and South Pacific.

Wendi Peters is best known for her role as Cilla Battersby Brown in ITV’s Coronation Street, as well as series regular Cook Jenkins in CBBC’s Hetty Feather. Alongside her screen work, her many stage credits include Mother Superior in the UK tour of Sister Act the Musical.

Singin’ in the Rain features the film’s score including Good Morning, Make ‘em Laugh and the legendary Singin’ in the Rain.

The show is directed by Jonathan Church with choreography by Andrew Wright.

Performances run at Milton Keynes Theatre from Tuesday March 23 to Saturday March 27. Visit atgtickets.com/MiltonKeynes to book.