An award-winning, young performer from Ruddington pays homage to one of the Hollywood greats in a new video – by literally following in his footsteps from the 1952 musical film ‘Singing in’ in the Rain’.
Twenty year-old Louis Gaunt from our village is currently appearing in the musical “Gypsy” at Manchester’s Royal Exchange Theatre. As a fun, side-project he and fellow cast member Alastair Crosswell learnt the ‘Moses Supposes’ tap dance routine performed in the classic movie by Gene Kelly and Donald O’Connor.
The video production team tracked down clothing and props to match those in the film as closely as possible – leaving Louis and Alastair to rehearse their performance as Don and Cosmo to perfection before the shoot took place. The impressive result, with the original movie and soundtrack inset into their new video, can be viewed below.
Ruddington born Louis, who is the son of Freedom Dance & Performance principal Stacey Green, started training at the age of four. His talents led him to being offered a full scholarship at the renowned Performers’ College in Essex, where he studied professional dance and musical theatre. He’s since gone on to achieve success both on TV and in theatre venues throughout the country – in 2018 even winning ‘Best Actor in a Musical’ at the Stage Debut Awards for his role as Will Parker in ‘Oklahoma’ at the prestigious Grange Park Opera House in Horsley. Last year Louis toured the UK in ‘Grease the Musical’ in the role of Kenickie alongside Peter Andre, before starting his current role as Tulsa in ‘Gypsy’, in Manchester, which runs until this Saturday (February 1st).
Meantime his tribute to Gene Kelly is already receiving many plaudits on YouTube and social media – including from ‘East Midlands Today’ presenter Maurice Flynn, who commented: “This is incredible!!! WOW!” Mum Stacey (pictured below, next to her son) posted: “We are so proud of you Louis.”
You can read more about Ruddington’s Freedom Dance & Performance, based at 7 Charles Street, >>HERE<<.
