Hello Dolly

This musical first saw the light of day in 1835 and after many name changes finally settled on the present title Hello Dolly after hearing Louis Armstrong’s version of the hit number Katharine Williams direction of this toe tapping musical started with a well dressed chorus in the opening number. Lucy Chapman (Dolly Levi) gave a good performance ably assisted by Nigel Morley (Horace Vandergelder) whose acting and stage presence displayed his many talents. Entertaining performances from the two shop assistants Nick Lang (Cornelius Hackl) and Kevin Sampson (Barnaby Tucker). Georgina Gould (Irene Malloy) as the milliners shop owner played her part well, her assistant Lucy Lightfoot (minnie Fay) also gave a good performaqnce. The Harmonia Gardens Restaurant sees Dolly return to her roots as a cabaret star and is welcomed back by Gavin Buck (Rudy) Head Waiter and the waiters who are delighted she has returned . I was a little disappointed that we did not get to see the Waiters Gallop which is always a highlight of the musical and perhaps a few more tables with members of the chorus to give the scene atmosphere. The rest of the ensemble played their parts well and made for an entertaining evening . The band under the direction of Harriet Oughton played the numbers well and complimented the artists Stage Manager Ashleigh Cosson’s stage settings were minimal. I would have liked a blackout on some of the scene changes as the back stage staff often clashed with the cast. Lighting designed by Tony Marshall and Sound operated by Christopher Evans were suitable for the performance.

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