Rain will be pouring inside Cromer's pier end theatre next month as a spring musical takes to the stage, and puts up its umbrella.Singing in the Rain's first half closes with the iconic dancing in the street puddles song made famous by Gene Kelly in the classic 1952 film - and Morecambe and Wise in their celebrated spoof.

Rain will be pouring inside Cromer's pier end theatre next month as a spring musical takes to the stage, and puts up its umbrella.

Singing in the Rain's first half closes with the iconic dancing in the street puddles song made famous by Gene Kelly in the classic 1952 film - and Morecambe and Wise in their celebrated spoof.

It involves the building of a long trough to collect the water tumbling from a pipe across the Pavilion stage.

A similar device was used in a Seaside Special summer season routine in recent years, but has been modified by the show's scenery wizard Ian Westbrook.

Director Chrissie Robertson said the show - about the transition of silent movie stars to 'talkies' and which also involved some pre-filming work - was a 'quite a challenge', but the cast was 'having a ball.'

The show was costing the Cromer and Sheringham Amateur Operatic and Dramatic Society nearly �40,000 to stage.

Half the �6,000 scenery costs were going on the signature tune 'paddling pool' for just one, but iconic, routine. It had been designed to roll up, and 'pour the water into the sea,' she added.

Costumes and wigs were costing another �5,000, royalties �6,796, and the orchestra more than �5,000.

But the society will give its annual charity donation on opening night. This year the �500 will go to Nelson's Journey, which supports bereaved children in Norfolk.

Singing in the Rain follows the story of silent movie stars Don Lockwood, played by Max Murphy, and Lina Lamont (Sinead Merron) whose switch to talkies is marred by her grating voice - resulting in Don's girlfriend Kathy (Katie Woodhouse) dubbing the part.

It has involved filming some swashbuckling, hero-gets-the-girl sequences at Overstrand Hall, and time spent in the editing suite adding in out-of-synch voices and an orchestra.

The rain dance routine comes as Don falls in love with Kathy and learns the silent film is to become a musical. At one stage there are 35 people on stage with umbrellas.

• Singing in the Rain will run at Cromer Pier Pavilion from May 29 to June 5, nightly with a Saturday matinee. Tickets from the pier box office on 01263 512495.