Hello Dolly!

Based on the play ‘The Matchmaker’, with added music and lyrics by Jerry Herman, who could fail to be captivated by this musical.  Carol Sutherland splendidly captured Dolly Levis in the title role with grace and charm as the matchmaker attempting to arrange a second marriage for the grumpy Horace Vandergelder, William Cunningham, who provided a first-class performance as the well-known "half-a-millionaire".  As his two store assistants, Graeme Scott (Cornelius Hackle) and Darrek Tasker (Barnaby Tucker) both excelled in their partnership and were very well paired with Anne Rice (Irene Molloy) and Hannah Gillies (Minnie Fay) who both provided performances to the highest standard.  Collectively, through song, dance and drama, all four could not have been cast better complementing each other as they made their way to the Harmonia Gardens restaurant proving they each had elegance. Similarly, all other principals provided sterling performances as Ambrose Kemper (Andrew Tasker), the sobbing Ermengarde (Rebecca Gillies), Head Waiter Rodolph (Tom Keeble) and the mischievous Ernestina Money (Susan McFarlane) with Elizabeth Donald (Mrs Rose) and Robert Wardrop (Judge).  All musical numbers were well staged and well performed by the entire company as was the comedy in the hat shop and again in the restaurant.  I was particularly impressed by the creative detail within the Waiter’s Gallop which I felt demonstrated the full potential in the male chorus.  All principals, chorus and dancers must be praised for their performances for what was a highly entertaining evening.  It is fifty years since the society last performed ‘Hello, Dolly!’ when it was choreographed by Irene Langlands MBE, and on this latest visit to Yonkers, it was ably Directed and Choreographed by her daughter Judy making this a special family milestone linked to the history of the society.  This was a thoroughly enjoyable production and is one that the society, Jon-Luke Kirton and Judy Brown should be really proud of.

Reviewer, David Black, NODA Scotland District 5

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