Hello, Dolly! - London Palladium (2024)

[BoOverall]

Really looking forward to seeing this tomorrow matinee. Also front centre of stalls: what a bargain!

[anthony40]

Intermission. Front row- right behind the conductor. Brilliant!

[A.Ham]

Jul 16, 2024 19:52:20 GMT anthony40 said:

Intermission. Front row- right behind the conductor. Brilliant!

Exactly where I was on Saturday! Glad you’re enjoying it.

[appoul]

24h TodayTix offer (mostly grand circle tickets at 15 pounds each, though there are other offers, too).

[teamyali]

Just announced that Imelda Staunton is nominated for Outstanding Lead Actress in a Drama Series for the final season of The Crown at the Primetime Emmy Awards. The ceremony will be on September 15 in Los Angeles, which is a day after Hello, Dolly! wraps up in the West End. What are the chances that they will do an extension even for a couple of days? I don’t think Netflix would want their lead star to miss the Emmy Awards ceremony and given that this is The Crown’s final bow at the awards.

[capybara]

What a wonderful, lavish production of Jerry Herman’s musical extravaganza. Losing Crazy For You left a big, golden aged hole in the West End and, although even it doesn’t quite reach those peaks, Hello Dolly is this summer’s must-have ticket for theatre fans.

What a privilege to see Imelda Staunton back on the grandest of London stages. She was excellent as Dolly, really funny and her vocals hold up remarkably well. ‘So Long Dearie’ saw her giving Mama Rose vibes as she glided and strutted around the stage.

Jenna Russell and Emily Lane were also brilliant as Irene and Minnie. I’m glad I’ve got this one booked several times over before the end of its relatively short run…

The set looked exquisite and ‘Put On Your Sunday Clothes’, complete with the train, went down a storm. There was a partial standing ovation for the show’s title number, of course for Dame Imelda but I like to think also for the wonderful orchestra.


Five stars.

[Phantom of London]

Saw this, this afternoon.

So big production, big theatre, big numbers, big stars - so what not to like? Well nothing exactly, it is theatrical perfection of a great show lead by the petit Imelda Staunton, vocally she could match any gladiator. The show probably has the best act 1 finale with ‘Before the Parade Passes’ along with Les Miserables ‘One Day More.’

Perfect front row ticket where I saw everything, this one was up there with Bette Midler, however the Broadway production just shaded it. As good as the score was, the book wasn’t as strong and predictable.

I don’t understand how this could make money on such a short 2 month run and even with a mini tour afterwards I’m still baffled at the business plan, I would have thought this could easily play a long run, isn’t about time the Palladium let go of the tired and predictable pantomime?

4 Stars

[midge]

Jul 17, 2024 20:11:18 GMT Phantom of London said:

I don’t understand how this could make money on such a short 2 month run and even with a mini tour afterwards I’m still baffled at the business plan, I would have thought this could easily play a long run, isn’t about time the Palladium let go of the tired and predictable pantomime?

4 Stars

I don’t think the purpose of this show is to make money tbh. I know that sounds dumb, but I think this was always going to be a prestige project for the producers. I also don’t think this is bad business because you’re always subsidising losses with other shows.

[highonahill]

Jul 17, 2024 20:11:18 GMT Phantom of London said:

Saw this, this afternoon.

So big production, big theatre, big numbers, big stars - so what not to like? Well nothing exactly, it is theatrical perfection of a great show lead by the petit Imelda Staunton, vocally she could match any gladiator. The show probably has the best act 1 finale with ‘Before the Parade Passes’ along with Les Miserables ‘One Day More.’

Perfect front row ticket where I saw everything, this one was up there with Bette Midler, however the Broadway production just shaded it. As good as the score was, the book wasn’t as strong and predictable.

I don’t understand how this could make money on such a short 2 month run and even with a mini tour afterwards I’m still baffled at the business plan, I would have thought this could easily play a long run, isn’t about time the Palladium let go of the tired and predictable pantomime?

4 Stars

I was there too this afternoon in A8! Beauifully done, so lovely to see a revival of this calibre.

[annette]

II thought this production was fine, nothing wrong with it,but lacking heart. I felt the opposite about the Open Air Production. Somehow that one managed to avoid the whole exercise feeling creaky. Aside from the really terrific cast, Stephen Mear’s choreography was absolutely joyous. I didn’t feel that way about Bill Dreamer’s choices on the Palladium show. For me,his choreography lacked inventiveness or any real spark.
Imelda Staunton is always lovely,but I didn’t feel that she was exactly the right fit for Mrs Levi.
Generally whilst being a perfectly serviceable production of this show, it just felt like a rather random choice for The Palladium this summer. Not sure exactly who it’s aimed at really.

[BoOverall]

A truly sublime matinee today. The centre of the front row of the stalls was terrific. I felt everything worked so well in this production and there were many highlights for me: I mean, that score - which sounded ravishing - and what a cast. A total joy from start to finish

[longinthetooth]

I was also there at today's matinee! Row C.

Where to start? Imelda is a tour de force, what an amazing performance. I take my hat off to her, doing that eight times a week! That said, there seemed to me to be something missing - but I can't put my finger on it. Star quality, i.e. a bigger star playing Dolly, but, if so, who? I don't know.

I loved the big numbers, all of them showstoppers in their own right. It was funnier than I expected, too. However, I felt other parts sometimes dragged a bit and I wasn't as blown away as I'd hoped, because this sort of show is right up my street. The orchestra was brilliant (I would have enjoyed the opening overture even more if the two women in front of me hadn't talked all through it!) - so great to hear that full sound. I've given the show four stars - I loved it, but it for me didn't quite soar.

[sph]

Jul 17, 2024 20:11:18 GMT Phantom of London said:

Saw this, this afternoon.

So big production, big theatre, big numbers, big stars - so what not to like? Well nothing exactly, it is theatrical perfection of a great show lead by the petit Imelda Staunton, vocally she could match any gladiator. The show probably has the best act 1 finale with ‘Before the Parade Passes’ along with Les Miserables ‘One Day More.’

Perfect front row ticket where I saw everything, this one was up there with Bette Midler, however the Broadway production just shaded it. As good as the score was, the book wasn’t as strong and predictable.

I don’t understand how this could make money on such a short 2 month run and even with a mini tour afterwards I’m still baffled at the business plan, I would have thought this could easily play a long run, isn’t about time the Palladium let go of the tired and predictable pantomime?

4 Stars

The trend seems to be to give big, classic revivals limited summer seasons, rather than open-ended West End runs. As shows like Crazy For You have proven, they just don't sell in the long term nowadays and don't even tour that well. A short, prestige summer production seems ideal.

[Jon]

The panto is a money spinner for the Palladium and the current strategy of a summer musical and a Christmas panto works, why tamper with it?

[Steve]

I had an absolute ball, seeing this for the second time, tonight.

Having seen it before, when I didn't know where to look, I just allowed myself to go on Imelda Staunton's Dolly's emotional journey this time and it was so moving I ended up in floods.

Accordingly, I have revised my vote from 4 to 5 stars.

Some spoilers follow. . .

All the players are gelling so well now, with the hat shop sequence, from Jenna Russell's touching "Ribbons," with Andy Nyman's Vandergelder having developed improved oppositional chemistry with Staunton's Dolly, as the actors react off each other more humorously and naturally in their playing, through Imelda Staunton's Dolly teaching Cornelius and Barnaby how to dance so charmingly and entertainingly, with Hepple and Huntley a great double act; through the most amazing "Parade" with Staunton's Dolly going from emotional devastation to utter joyous renewal over the course of that one song, in the most uplifting and inspiring way. That one is a total triumph, and had my spirits soaring higher than ever!

This year I absolutely LOVED the final "Sunset" performance, but that was last year's show. And I thought Zizi Strallen's Fastrada's "Spread a Little Sunshine" was an unbelievable showstopping WOW in the "Pippin" concert, and of course, everything about the 15th anniversary "Spring Awakening " was thrilling! But those latter two concerts were one offs.

So, thinking about it, that makes THIS show my musical of 2024 so far!

Uplifting and inspirational (there's always time for one more hurrah lol). 5 stars.

[christya]

I loved this tonight - mostly! Imelda was fantastic, the orchestra stunning, and the whole production almost exactly what I hoped it would be. Two exceptions and one is really minor. Jenna Russell and Harry Hepple, though wonderful individually, do not make a believable couple for me. The age gap is just too obvious.

The other really minor thing - the gum chewing percussionist in the orchestra was very distracting once noticed - particularly during the whole of 'Love, Look in My Window'.

I also wanted to lock Ermengarde in the milliners shop cupboard, but I suspect that was more or less the effect they were going for.

[parsley1]

I thought this was almost perfect

Except for the incredibly ugly flooring

Which looked like bricks or cobblestones

And was incongruous during many scenes

And the nasty restaurant set

Quite distracting

[annette]

Apologies,in reference to my earlier post, that should have read ‘Bill Deamer’,as opposed to ‘Bill Dreamer’ (unless he was an original member of Freddie’s band).

[fluxcapacitor]

Jul 17, 2024 22:13:30 GMT Jon said:

The panto is a money spinner for the Palladium and the current strategy of a summer musical and a Christmas panto works, why tamper with it?

Also, as Joseph showed there’s always the potential to bring back a show for a second Summer run post-panto if it’s successful enough.

[Phantom of London]

Is the Panto such a big money spinner these days? it seems for the 6 weeks it runs it kind of straight jackets the theatre for the whole year. I would be very happy to go back to the days of having long runners like The Sound of Musical, Chitty or Sister Act etc, not so much I can't sing.

The London Palladium is the greatest theatre in the world, big but intimate as well.

[appoul]

The final show is now being advertised as a gala night! They still charge the regular prices though.

[Jon]

Jul 18, 2024 11:59:13 GMT Phantom of London said:

Is the Panto such a big money spinner these days? it seems for the 6 weeks it runs it kind of straight jackets the theatre for the whole year. I would be very happy to go back to the days of having long runners like The Sound of Musical, Chitty or Sister Act etc, not so much I can't sing.

The London Palladium is the greatest theatre in the world, big but intimate as well.

The London Palladium is a variety theatre and the model of concerts, limited run summer musicals and panto have worked for them for the last decade. 

Panto is a big money spinner both at the Palladium and across the UK.

[kyvai]

I’m here tonight - glad I checked my ticket earlier today as I hadn’t realised the ticket says a 7pm start and a “gala performance” apparently. However it’s 5 minutes to curtain up and I’d say less than half the audience is here. Do they just tell the plebs that it starts at 7pm so celebs can get papped outside 7-7.30pm whilst we wait for them?

[sph]

Jul 18, 2024 11:59:13 GMT Phantom of London said:

Is the Panto such a big money spinner these days? it seems for the 6 weeks it runs it kind of straight jackets the theatre for the whole year. I would be very happy to go back to the days of having long runners like The Sound of Musical, Chitty or Sister Act etc, not so much I can't sing.

The London Palladium is the greatest theatre in the world, big but intimate as well.

It probably makes a lot of money for the theatre in terms of secure rent and bar takings etc, but it doesn't make much for the producers. The production makes more money for them when it transfers to other regional venues in the following Christmas seasons. For example, I believe last year's Peter Pan is going to Birmingham this year.

I think a long-runner in the Palladium will come up against the same issues that they have in the Dominion - just so huge that it's hard to fill long-runs. Besides, it's supposed to be the country's big traditional "variety" theatre, so there are always going to be acts and concerts etc vying for a spot there throughout the year so it doesn't really sit empty. I'd say that's much more suited to Palladium's reputation.

[Dr Tom]

Jul 18, 2024 17:56:48 GMT kyvai said:

I’m here tonight - glad I checked my ticket earlier today as I hadn’t realised the ticket says a 7pm start and a “gala performance” apparently. However it’s 5 minutes to curtain up and I’d say less than half the audience is here. Do they just tell the plebs that it starts at 7pm so celebs can get papped outside 7-7.30pm whilst we wait for them?

I’ve been to gala performances that have started on time before, but there were massive queues to get in for this one. None of this was helped by queues of celebrity spotters trying to take photos on the street.

Also, many of the invited are terrible at findings their seat (and going the long way across seated people in the other sections).

I am terrible at recognising people!