Hello, Dolly!

For their 50th show the society picked this well-loved show packed with well known songs and witty dialogue and an excellent choice it proved to be. It was evident from the opening that the cast were enjoying performing it and this was immediately picked up by the appreciative audience. Tracy Woods, in her debut role with the society, as the irrepressible Dolly Levi commanded the stage at her every appearance – never more so than in the title number when she glided round the stage like a golden galleon in full sail, flirting with the male chorus and even some of the men in the audience! Ken Smith as Horace Vandergelder was suitably curmudgeonly and I liked his rendition of “It Takes A Woman”. Paul Woods (Cornelius Hackl) and Sandy Duncan (Barnaby Tucker) as the hapless shop assistants made a fine comic pairing and their attempts to learn to dance in “Dancing” had the audience in stitches. Another fine pairing were Audrey McWilliam (Irene Molloy) and Lynne Ward (Minnie Fey) as the milliner and her assistant determined to have a good time before life passed them by. Audrey gave a very touching rendition of “Ribbons Down My Back”. Strong support was given by Eran Backler (Ambrose Kemper) and Claire Smith (Ermengarde) as the young lovers trying to prove they could stand on their own two feet and by Heather M Gray (Ernestina Money) and John Marshall (headwaiter Rudolf Reisenweber). Singing and movement by the chorus were well carried out. The use of projections, designed by Leanne Maxwell, on to a gauze traveller ensured there was no lack of continuity between the scenes. I was delighted to present John Marshall with his 50 year NODA medal, along with awards to other members, after the performance. Thank you Elgin Musical Theatre for another enjoyable evening.

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