Hello Dolly

This 1964 musical was brought to life on the Sutton Arts stage by this very talented company.  Emily & Dexter's production was bright, colourful and full of life.

Lizzie Robbins as Dolly Levi led the company well.  Great stage presence and she also had the right singing voice for the role. She also had  great comedy timing which works well in the type of show.     She was well supported by Gary Pritchard as Horace Vandergelder, that well know half a millionaire.  These two roles were well cast and both worked well together.  Then we had Gemma Smyth as Irene Molloy, where did they find her.  Lovely voice and well supported by Naomi Steele as Minnie Fay.   Robbie Newton and Will Young played the two shop boys Cornelius Hackl and Barnaby Tucker.  The two boys who want a night out on the town.  Christopher Commander and Sophie-Louise Johnson played Ambrose Kemper and Ermengarde.  Sophie-Louise kept in character as the girl who was always crying really well.  Two very good portraits.. 

In some productions the chorus often get overlooked,  but this chorus did Emily & Dexter proud.  They blended in and danced well.    I was a bit worried about the Harmonia Gardens scene and how they would copy with the booths and the entrance of Dolly.  But as with all Sutton Arts productions, they got round this and when Dolly entered and sang the hallmark song of the show all my worried disappeared.

Emily & Dexter did a fine job with this show and carried on with the high standard of directing they are known for.  Great set's which you would expect from Sutton Arts and wonderful costumes. 

As Sutton Arts is only a small theatre, the 10 piece orchestra were in the room next door and the musical piped through.  This worked really well for them and they sounded good. 

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