HELLO DOLLY!. To 23 August.

Coventry.

HELLO DOLLY!
book by Michael Stewart Music and Lyrics by Jerry Herman.
Tour to 23 August 2008.
Runs 2hr 45min One interval.
Review: Jan Pick 10 June at Belgrade Theatre Coventry.

Quite a jolly‘Hello Dolly!
An entertaining touring production of Hello Dolly! paraded into the Belgrade Theatre this week, did its job, and will march on leaving scarcely a ripple to mark its presence. It is a competent and workmanlike show, that asks no questions and explores no new territory, but the energy and enthusiasm of its cast lifts this now rather formulaic musical into a pleasurable evening.

Anita Dobson sparkles as the eponymous Dolly Levi, matchmaker supreme, now on the hunt not only for her clients but also for a new husband of her own. She is ably supported by Darren Day as an endearing Cornelius Hackl, down-trodden chief clerk, and David McAlister as his employer and potential new Mr Levi, the grumpy ‘half millionaire’, Horace Vandergelder. There are also good performances from Louise English, as Irene Malloy, the lonely widow longing to re-join society and live a little, Hamilton Sargent as Hackl’s side-kick, Barnaby Tucker, desperate to visit the stuffed whale on his first day off work ever, and Amanda Salmon as the giggly Minnie Fay.

There are irritants - the sound occasionally achieves too many decibels, and surely it is time that the convention of the ensemble’s paste-on smile is challenged - but the singing of principals and company cannot be faulted, and the orchestra thoroughly deserves their round of applause at curtain call. The ensemble works seamlessly together with well-choreographed and danced set pieces, particularly the restaurant scene with waiters whizzing around and throwing plates with not a dropped catch, and the parade – with a surprise at the end of it – is also a high moment.

As a touring production, without a huge amount of money spent on either set or costumes, it is not yet West End fare, but with its gutsy performances and crowd-pleasing numbers, it makes for an enjoyable night out.

Dolly Levi: Anita Dobson.
Ernestina: Carol Ball.
Ambrose Kemper: Samuel Board.
Horace Vandergelder: David McAlister.
Ermengarde: Sophie Wilkins.
Cornelius Hackl: Darren Day.
Barnaby Tucker: Hamilton Sargent.
Minnie Fay: Amanda Salmon.
Irene Molloy: Louise English.
Rudolph/Judge: Christopher Marlowe.

Ensemble:
Matt Byham, Jaime Cox, Philip Coyle, Vicki Davids, Andrea Lynette-Young, Billy Mitchell, Katy Osborne, Samm Price, Helen Rymer, Louise Stanton, Aaron Sweeney-Harris, Alex Taylor, Owen Woodgate, Hannah Woolley.

Children: Domonic Lawrence, Elle O’Dell, Lewis Lockwood, Reece Samson Latchman, Sara Ali, Vassia Tsopnais.

Director: Chris Colby.
Designer: Alan Miller Bunford.
Lighting: Colin Wood.
Sound: Nick Sagar.
Musical Supervisor: Mark Crossland.
Musical Director: David Beer.
Choreographer: David Kort.
Costume: Anthony Wright.
Dance Captain: Helen Rymer.

2008-06-13 00:52:54