Hello Dolly

Celebrating 125 Years of presenting musical theatre to the Stoke-on-Trent area, sees the North Staffordshire Operatic Society choosing to celebrate with the Broadway Musical Comedy 'Hello Dolly'.

The show is based on 'The Matchmaker' by Thornton Wilder with music and lyrics by Jerry Herman and book by Michael Stewart. Set in 1890s New York the bold and enchanting widow Dolly Levi, portrayed by the perfectly cast Virginia Meir; is a solicalite-turned matchmaker.

Her latest client seeking assistance is the half millionaire Horace Vandergelder, played cantankerously by Ian Wilson. Horace, together with a young artist Ambrose Kemper, Matthew Turner; who is in love with Horace's niece Ermengarde, the ever tearful Louise Bradshaw, require Dolly to work her magic to win the ladies of their choice.

It was wonderful to see Virginia Meir back strutting her stuff as the masterfully, manipulative, matchmaker Dolly Levi. Very much a woman on a mission, to bring love to the unsuspecting populace of New York, whether they want it or not. Virginia owned the stage, humorously twisting the, miserly Horace Vandergelder around her little finger in such a clever way he didn't ever suspect he was being lured.

Bedecked in an ever changing set of beautiful elaborate costumes, Dolly passes through events seemingly unaffected, like a whirlwind on a set course, with a business card for every eventuality.

In the midst of Dolly's matchmaking, Horace's two poor hapless clerks, Cornelius Hackl and Barnaby Tucker played by Carl Pilato and Liam Tiesteel respectively; are brought into the arena of milliners Irene Molloy and Minnie Fay, portraid beautifully by Kate Heard and Lottie Morris.

The parade scene is quite spectacular, the whole cast in fantastic costumes, as it marches through the streets. This show gives us some of the best known show tunes of old; such as, “Elegance”, “Put On Your Sunday Clothes” “It Only Takes A Moment” and of course the titular number “Hello Dolly”

Also in this celebratory year, sees the return to Staffordshire, of Director Andrew Talbot, who is well known to local theatre goers for his many lead roles in past local productions.

The orchestra under the baton of Musical Director Liz Talbot did an admirable job. The sound was however constrained a little for my ears, this may have been down to the PA system at the Rep, which is fine for plays, I felt this limited the overall aural experience for the audience a full range PA system would given, there were a few late mic cues which may have just been first night issues.

Simple but effective choreography from Sarah Mould worked well especially in the parade scene. 

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