Written by Mark Johnson
Sometimes as a theatre reviewer and first and foremost a theatre lover you just sit back and completely blown away by an experience. Hello, Dolly! which is currently running for a limited summer run at the London Palladium ranks high in those experiences.
Firstly I will say that a couple of months ago I snagged some of the £20 front row tickets that were released. These came with the restriction warning that the stage is high so you will miss some of the performance. I checked the SeatPlan reviews and the seats looked like a real steal. Come the evening of the show I couldn't have lucked out more.
We arrived into our seats, front row and centre, which already made for an experience especially in a theatre as historic as The London Palladium. We were right behind the conductor which further enhanced the experience as this allowed us to see up close their work whilst it never ever became a distraction from the performance. To be that close to a large orchestra was such a thrill, hearing them bringing to life Jerry Herman's excellent score was thrilling.
The curtain raised on the performance and in enters the graceful and ever brilliant Imelda Staunton as Dolly Levi. Her performance in the role is pure class, the skill and delivery throughout as the role develops especially alongside Andy Nyman's Horace Vandergelder. Watching Staunton from this vista was so special, she is in a league of her own as her performances in shows like Gypsy, Sweeney Todd and Follies have showcased. Here she is once again on top top form.
There are some glorious ensemble numbers littered throughout the piece alongside quieter solo numbers. 'Put On Your Sunday Clothes' is a hoot with Harry Hepple's Cornelius Hackl and Tyrone Huntley's Barnaby Tucker choosing to take a day in New York where they hope to explore. The number showcases what is to follow throughout with the tremendous ensemble joining in, there is even a full sized train at one part!
There's some numbers songs like 'Ribbons Down My Back' could easily get lost in this dazzling piece but the performance that Jenna Russell's wonderful Irene Molloy brings to this means that nothing is lost. The bond that Russell and Hepple make throughout is lovely whilst the more excitable and sweet pairing of Huntley and Emily Lane's Minnie Fay is also great to watch develop.
The story builds up to the act one closing 'Before The Parade Passes By'. A motto in itself about taking life and living it. This rousing number features the entire company as various marching parties in the parade and is sung with great gusto by all. It certainly sends you out to the interval on a high.
The comedy and slap-stick humour of scenes in the both halves especially in the hat shop and restaurant scenes bring big laughs and fun as Hackl and Tucker try to avoid their boss Vandergelder. The humour is cleverly not overdone and doesn't come something that is too stupid or out of place.
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| Imelda Staunton as Dolly in the curtain call. Photo by Mark Johnson |
Arguably the biggest moment of the show is the title number itself which comes midway through the second act. As the orchestra strike up the familiar tune in enters Staunton's Dolly down a small staircase. It's a number that builds, thrills and leaves you in a state of pure joy. I will confess to becoming a little watery eyed with the complete delight of this. The ovation to this number was incredible. The roar of the audience. It could have gone on for minutes had the music not restarted. A number that lifted the soul to sheer elation.
Bill Deamer's classy choreography is perfectly pitched to the time and style of the production whilst director Dominic Cooke steers the ship. Rae Smith's costumes and sets match with Finn Ross' video design that portrays the backdrops of the locations.
All in all this is one heck of a show. It's everything that made me fall in love with theatre. As a teenager I first came to the Palladium multiple times to see Chitty Chitty Bang Bang, always in the gods but to be here now on my 33rd birthday having this experience felt so precious. It's a night at the theatre that I'll never forget. A night of musical theatre heaven.
Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Hello, Dolly! plays at the London Palladium until Saturday 14th September. Tickets are available through https://hellodollyldn.com/
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| The company in the curtain call. Photo by Mark Johnson |
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