Twopenny Theatre

There are plenty of fine performers in Hello, Dolly! – a boyishly bold Harry Hepple as Cornelius Hackel, a marvelously mousey Emily Lane as Minnie Fay – but they pale in comparison to West End royalty Imelda Staunton, who seizes the iconic role of Dolly Levi and gives a glorious, spell-binding performance. Onstage, Dolly is a “professional meddler” whose matchmaking prowess is peerless – no man can resist her benevolent schemes, even the parsimonious businessman Horace Vandergelder (Andy Nyman). Beyond the stage, Staunton engenders similarly universal admiration among the 2,000-plus in the London Palladium’s audience, with applause for her dazzling performance in the titular song stopping action for over a minute.

This is partly in recognition of Staunton’s 5-decade, 4 Olivier Award-winning tenure on the London stage, but also her commanding work in this revival, capturing the humour, wistfulness, and ultimately resurrected joue de vivre of Dolly with poignancy and pizzazz. Surrounded by a strong production – a powerful, large ensemble; stylish sets and costumes (Rae Smith); hard-charging choreography (Bill Deamer); and a robust orchestra – this is a show musical fans can’t miss. That the 60-year-old libretto still packs a punch, with songs playfully skewering misogyny, snobbery, and vacuous patriotism, is an added bonus. “Put on your Sunday clothes” and say “hello” to Hello, Dolly! this summer.

Rating: 4.5/5

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