IT IS one of the best-loved musical movies and has all the same charm on stage.

And it’s why Huddersfield Amateur Operatic Society must be Singin’ In The Rain at the prospect of brightening dark winter nights all next week at the Lawrence Batley Theatre.

Who could fail to warm to a show that mirrors that famous movie scene where Gene Kelly danced his way along a street oblivious to the downpour because he’d found the girl of his dreams?

But there’s much more to this musical than that one memorable scene.

There’s a great storyline about the not-so-smooth switch from silent films to the talkies, an era when some of the film studios’ brightest stars were dimmed when it was proved that they were better staying silent than let moviegoers hear their dreadful voices.

There’s romance, comedy, lots of reasons to dance and a clutch of feel-good songs. Watch out for the comedy of Make ’Em Laugh, the joy of Good Morning and the lovely You Were Meant For Me.

Huddersfield Amateurs, determined to give this production every drop of sparkle they can, have put together a great team of performers.

Steve Redfern takes the role of Don Lockwood made famous on film by Gene Kelly and having played Prince Edward for the society in The Slipper And The Rose several years ago is certainly up to following in the footsteps of screen royalty.

Steve is an accomplished performer and has appeared on stage with many societies across Kirklees and Calderdale.

He’s more than happy to be reunited with Danielle Williams, the girl who played alongside him as Cinderella in that early show with the Amateurs in 2001.

Danielle, who plays up-and-coming actress Kathy Selden, is a dancer through and through. Mum is the production’s choreographer, Adele Taylor, and Danielle first put on her dancing shoes when she was just two.

Danielle, a primary school teacher, still loves appearing in shows and won well-deserved applause last year for her role as Miss Dorothy in Thoroughly Modern Millie.

Nicola Mara joined the Amateurs in the Eighties, playing the tiniest tot in the orphanage in the musical Annie.

She’s played in many shows since then and will have a great time playing silent movie star Lina Lamont, who opens her mouth in the talkies and proves that she’d be better keeping it closed!

The toughest job of the week in many ways will be that taken on by Scott Armstrong. He plays Cosmo Brown and has dedicated his performance to his buddy, Andrew Spencer, who died this year at the tragically young age of 33.

Andrew, a huge dance and comedy talent, had been cast as Cosmo and after his death the society turned to Scott.

It’s a job he’s taken on determined to make his performance a fitting tribute to Andrew. And it will be for Scott is also a talented performer with a great track record as a dancer.

For the last six years he’s toured the UK, Europe, America and Asia in the renowned Irish dance show Spirit Of The Dance and with its sister show, Spirit Of Broadway.

Doubtless Scott would have topped Andrew’s own list for performers to join the cast of this much loved show.

The production opens on Monday at the LBT (7.15pm) with performances every evening until Saturday, when there is also a matinee at 2.15pm. The society welcomes two new faces. Ian Abbott joins as musical director and university music student Natalie Davies as accompanist.

Box office is on 01484 430528.