Synopsis

A wickedly insightful story revolving around the lives of two people … Tim, a 33 year old nice guy, who’s never had any luck with the ladies, and Rachel, also 33, who is successful in work but always picks the wrong man. Both spend their evening in a local amateur theatre company where their lives twist and turn as they learn more about themselves whilst the next production is in rehearsal. Add into the mixture a gay Chairman who always bankrolls the society's productions (although for some reason they always seem to put on shows that he likes), a macho backstage crew interested mostly in beer and women, and a gossipy ladies chorus, and for those who have ever trodden the boards on an amateur stage, you'll know pretty much all the characters.

With a plot centred around a very specific leisure activity, it's possible to think that an audience uninitiated in the theatre industry might not 'get' the amateur dramatics context. But, in reality, the show is a universal funny story of romance and people-politics which might equally have been set in an office, a school, a factory, a shop or anywhere else that people live life together and where 'backstage' squabbles, petty rivalries, ego battles and behind-the-scenes bitching and back-biting happen on a daily basis.

NOTE : Vivian Ellis was a President of the Performing Right Society and in 1984 that society instituted an annual event - the Vivian Ellis Prize - to encourage young professional composers and lyricists to write for the musical stage. Ellis gave all the writers the same advice: "Try and put at least one hit song in every musical you write." In 1994, 'When It Rains was a finalist in the competition, with an eminent panel of judges (including Lionel Bart, Don Black, Tim Rice and Julia McKenzie). Don Black whispered to Marc Folan as he received his certificate that he’d only narrowly missed out on winning the competition which came down to five finalists from hundreds of entries from around the UK.

Characters

Songs