Hello Dolly!
August 18, 2008
Venue : Sunderland Empire
Date : August 18th 2008
The latest Disney picture WALL-E is introducing Hello Dolly to a whole new audience as it’s the one musical the lovable robot wants to see over and over again. So the timing of this revival could not be better placed.
When you think of this show, you cannot help immediately think of Barbra Streisand and Michael Crawford in the film version or one of the many female leads who have played the role ranging from Ethel Merman to our own Dora Bryan, with Danny La Rue even having a successful run in the role in London’s West End (a production I saw many years ago). Now we have Anita Dobson treading the boards as Dolly, she has certainly settled in to the role as the tour progressed 9sunderland is the last week) and casts off any shadows still hanging on from her Eastenders days
Dobson plays matchmaker Dolly Levi who, while pretending to find a wife for Horace Vandergelder is really preparing to keep him all to herself. Working for the corn and seed merchant are Cornelius Hackl (played by Darren Day) and his pal Barnaby (Hamilton Sergeant), who work well together bringing comedy to their roles, but it seems a life time ago since Day topped the bill at the Empire in Cinderella.
Louise English, is perfectly cast as hat shop owner Irene Molloy and has the best voice of all the cast.
Based on the Thornton Wilder play, The Matchmaker, it’s the music and lyrics of Jerry Herman that bring this show to life and have kept its songs in people’s memories for so may years.
With classic numbers such as Put on Your Sunday Clothes, Before The Parade Passes By and of course the title number Hello Dolly, littering the score it is no wonder this show still has a following.
The second half title number Hello Dolly as Levi enters the Harmonia Gardens, descending the steps with the dancing waiters, may not have the same show stopping qualities as earlier productions, but Dobson pulls out all the stops as she slowly walks down in a glittering gold dress and a very tall feather headdress.
This revival gives a new audience a chance to see the classic musical, which while still a favourite of amateur operatic societies around the country, show why it has stood the test of time when in the hands of a professional company.
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