Koorliny Arts Centre honours the legacy of iconic musical Singin’ in the Rain

Beloved film-to-musical adaptation Singin’ in the Rain will light up Koorliny Arts Centre this month, hitting the stage from Friday, November 20, to Saturday, November 28– with tickets on sale now. Set in the 1920s, the story follows silent screen star Don Lockwood as Hollywood faces the arrival of the “talkies.” Alongside best friend Cosmo Brown, aspiring actress Kathy Selden and the wonderfully dramatic Lina Lamont, Don must navigate a changing industry where not every movie star is quite ready to be heard. BRAYDEN EDWARDS caught up with the cast of Singin’ in the Rain to find out how it feels to perform such an iconic story. 

Congratulations on the upcoming shows! When you were cast in Singin’ in the Rain, what were your first thoughts about taking on such beloved characters? Was it exciting, or nerve-wracking?

Matt Ballantine (Don Lockwood): What excited me most was the opportunity to take on such an iconic musical theatre role and challenge myself to grow as a performer. Getting to work on a Gene Kelly role was incredibly exciting, especially exploring his style of movement and physical storytelling. Audiences have such strong expectations of Don Lockwood, particularly because of Gene Kelly’s iconic performance. I wanted to honour that legacy while still bringing my own personality and interpretation to the role. Finding that balance has been both challenging and incredibly rewarding.

Was there any particular way you went about preparing your characters?

Emily Lambert (Kathy Selden): I started by exploring Kathy through the script before revisiting the film, which gave me the chance to discover my own interpretation of her. What I love most is that Kathy is confident without being arrogant, kind without being a pushover, and empathetic while still knowing her own worth. She wants the best for the people around her, but she also knows where she stands and isn’t afraid to hold her ground.

Rp van der Westhuizen (Cosmo Brown): I adore the original film and I consider Donald O’Connor one of the most underrated movie actors in Hollywood history, his comedic timing and physical comedy are unmatched. In saying that, I gave myself permission to watch the movie once since starting rehearsals for this show, because I really wanted to find Cosmo for myself, in this version of the show.

Melissa Tranchita (Lina Lamont): Great question! I began by re-watching the movie and a couple of different versions of the musical that were available on YouTube. I started taking note of what “spoke to me” and what didn’t ie: how did I want to portray Lina?

What was most important to you in terms of that portrayal? Were there any character elements you were focused on preserving? 

Melissa Tranchita (Lina Lamont): It was essential to preserve her comedic timing and underlying feelings of resentment towards the invention of talking pictures and also Don and Kathy’s budding romance. I was surprised with how much sympathy I felt for Lina! After all; she’s only ever done exactly what the studio asked of her. And suddenly she’s no longer what they are looking for. That’s got to hurt. I must admit I perceived Lina to be the bimbo villain and not much more. I was wrong!

Matt Ballantine (Don Lockwood): What interests me most about Don is that, beneath all the confidence, charm and movie-star image, there’s a person who is still figuring out who he is and what truly matters to him. I think meeting Kathy challenges him in a way he hasn’t experienced before, because she sees past the Hollywood persona and connects with him on a much more genuine level.

Emily and I have been exploring how to make that connection feel natural and believable by focusing on the smaller moments between them. I think it’s important that their relationship feels like more than just a typical musical theatre romance. For me, the most rewarding part is discovering those moments where Don can let his guard down and just be himself, rather than the leading man everyone expects him to be.

Has there been anything you found particularly challenging throughout the rehearsal process?

Matt Ballantine (Don Lockwood): I think the biggest challenge for me is the number Singin’ in the Rain itself. It’s such an iconic and pivotal moment in the show, and there’s a lot of history and expectation attached to it. A lot of the preparation comes down to building the technique, stamina and confidence to execute the choreography safely and consistently so that when I’m performing it, I can focus less on the steps and more on the character and the story.

Melissa Tranchita (Lina Lamont): The last thing I wanted was to be too shrill and too whiny. Yes, Lina’s famous voice incorporates both of those elements, but if it’s too harsh, I’m concerned the audience will find it annoying. Instead of a loud/brash performance throughout the entire show, I’m hoping that a more melodic and thoughtful delivery (at times) will allow the audience to feel her fear as well as be able to laugh at the irony of her situation.

What has it been like working with such a talented ensemble cast?

Melissa Tranchita (Lina Lamont): I think I’ve said this at least 80 times—I have to pinch myself when I think about the cast and the opportunity in general. I cannot believe that I get to work with these three legends as well as the rest of the cast. Yes, the three leads are amazing, but the ensemble is next level. I can only dream of being trusted enough to be part of an ensemble, as you have to be multi-talented. And quick! My gosh, I’m obsessed.

Rp van der Westhuizen (Cosmo Brown): We are so lucky that Singin’ in the Rain has much humour and love between these characters, and the fact that we spend most of our time in rehearsals laughing is such a great sign for me as an actor. Not only that, but I am constantly in awe of the rest of the cast and how they are bringing this show together. Koorliny has this ability to bring out the best in people, and this show is no exception. The choreography, the voices, the staging—it’s all done with so much care and passion, and I am so excited for audiences to join us this November for what will be an unforgettable experience.

Do you have a favourite memory from rehearsals? 

Emily Lambert (Kathy Selden): I can’t pinpoint one particular moment, but what has really stood out to me is how collaborative and passionate this entire company has been. From the cast to the crew and creatives, everyone has brought so much generosity, energy and imagination into the room. One moment that really captures this was sitting down with Rp van der Westhuizen, who plays Cosmo, to work through some lines together. We pulled apart a few scenes, explored the little details and discovered new things about both of our characters along the way. I love those moments where you can slow things down, get curious and bounce ideas off each other. You never know what you might discover!

For me, that’s what theatre is all about. It’s not just about showing up to do your own job; it’s about supporting one another, lifting each other up and creating an environment where everyone feels encouraged to do their best work. We’re all in this together, and I think the most magical moments happen when we genuinely want the people around us to shine just as brightly as we do.

Singin’ in the Rain will be performed at Koorliny Arts Centre from Friday, November 20, to Saturday, November 28, 2026. For tickets and for more information, visit koorliny.com.au