Lavish is not a word that could properly be applied to the new production of Singin’ in the Rain which is at the New Theatre this week early in its national tour. In fact, reflecting tht spirit of the times, this offering from Peter Frosdick and Martin Dodd for UK Productions could be judged a show for the recession.

True, the costumes are lavish enough, especially those worn by Amy Griffiths in her role – clearly joyfully embraced – as Lina Lamont, the Hollwood actress with a voice so grating that it is feared she might bring back the era of the silent movie even before that of the talkies is properly under way.

But the bargain basement sets leave something to be desired. A problem with dimensions and perspective in designer Charles Camm’s creation of the main outdoor streetscape of Hollywood results in the characters towering above buildings rather as Lemuel Gulliver did in Lilliput.

And the main downpour sequence to accompany the title song is pitifully dry in comparison, say, with that supplied in the Tommy Steele production of the show that used to visit the New Theatre regularly. Star Tim Flavin was rushing around the stage in the hope of a wetting, as a very thin man might have to do in a bathroom shower. This shower was of the sort that might be found in a jerry-built, half-completed Spanish hotel at the height of a drought.

So thank goodness the acting and dancing helped make up for it, doing justice to the hugely popular songs of Nacio Herb Brown and Arthur Freed, and Betty Comden and Adolph Green’s screenplay and adaptation. Mr Flavin, while perhaps a little charisma-lite in comparison with Steele (and especially with this show’s film archetype Gene Kelly) gives an endearing portrait of movie star Don Lockwood, partner to the dreadful Lina Lamont on screen but certainly not off, much as she would wish him to be.

Jessica Punch brings the right amount of affecting innocence, tempered with an actress’s professional pride, to the role of Kathy Selden, the talented youngster hired as a voice double for Lina. She, of course, goes on to steal (indeed she already has) Don’s heart.

That she is no mean hoofer is demonstrated in the show-stopping performance of Good Morning with Mr Flavin and Graeme Henderson, who is excellent as Don’s musical mate Cosmo Brown.

Until Saturday, 0844 847 1588 (www.NewTheatreOxford.org.uk).