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Hello Dolly

Author: Foster Johnson

Information

Date
20th February 2020
Society
Fatfield Musical Stage Society
Venue
St.Robert of Newminster College
Type of Production
Musical
Director
Jon Isbell
Musical Director
Tim Jasper
Choreographer
Jack Hindmarch

In celebration of their 70th Anniversary Fatfield Musical Stage Society staged a highly entertaining and colourful production of Jerry Herman’s Hello Dolly. With a new production team of Jon Isbell (Director) Tim Jasper (Musical Director) and Jack Hindmarch (Choreographer) at the helm they really brought to life this wonderful show and the best out of the cast. It was a delight to witness, a view shared by a packed auditorium who received it in great acclaim.

The cast was a mix of the Society’s seasoned performers and some that were new to the Company, as well as to me. They blended seamlessly to offer a fine show. Prior to attending the one aspect that worried me was how the Company would stage the big show number “Hello Dolly” and “The Waiters Gallop” How would these pan out as there were a limited number of men in the cast to act as the waiters in these intense and complicated numbers. It was a concern soon forgotten as the lady members of the ensemble, suitably attired, joined their male colleagues to produce a wonderfully choreographed number. Indeed great credit must go to Jack, not only for this, but also his super choreography throughout the show. The show is packed with numbers that lend themselves for the purpose and full advantage was taken.

The scenery, lighting, sound and costumes were themselves spot on and added to the ambience Although not the easiest of venues to stage a show with limited space in which to manoeuvre a little downside for me was that the hard working props and stage crews were not in costume when required to carry out relocation of props and scenery mid way through the Harmonia Gardens scene.

The Principal line up was extremely well balanced and matched. They worked as a smooth cohesive group to deliver some strong and powerful interpretations of the respective roles. Anne Taylor was at her best as the effervescent and manipulative Dolly Levi and as the hub around which everything revolves she commanded the stage delivering her musical numbers as only she can. Paul Maddison as the blustering, but vulnerable, bully Horace Vandergelder, was spot on in his delivery of the many character traits of the hay and feed merchant, and delivered a fine interpretation of “It Takes a Woman”

Two performers new to me were Reece Sohdi and Philip Richardson as Cornelius Hackl and Barnaby Tucker. I was greatly impressed by their performances. Not only did they work well as a pair but their own characterisations stage craft and dancing were good to see. It was also a first opportunity to see performances from Laura Dollimore (Irene Malloy) and Aimee Irwin (Minnie Faye) and again I was highly impressed with them in their roles. They too worked extremely well together but again their own characters shone through accompanied by some fine singing and movement. Finally but not least we had the love sick young couple Ambrose Kemper (Leon Fraser) and Ermengarde (Emma Monaghan). Leon has recently joined from what has always been a breeding ground for young talent the Rainbow Youth Group. He is a talent in the making and will surely do well. Emma has not long taken on the onerous role of Secretary, a task and a half itself and did well in the role despite the added burden of helping to run the organisation.

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