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Post by sph on Aug 5, 2024 12:29:10 GMT
It looked like a pantomime staircase anyway so that would work. That thought did actually occur to me as I was watching! It's definitely a Cinderella ballroom set! |
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Post by Jon on Aug 5, 2024 15:04:03 GMT
It looked like a pantomime staircase anyway so that would work. That thought did actually occur to me as I was watching! It's definitely a Cinderella ballroom set! Michael Harrison getting his money's worth from using previous assets. |
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Post by matty on Aug 7, 2024 22:23:19 GMT
Saw this tonight and it was definitely worth the 4 year wait. Really enjoyed it. Fantastic performances from all the cast. Loved the train and the choreography.
We had a show stop about 30 mins in due to the video backdrop not working...after a tense 15 minute ir so wait, we got back up and running though.
Have also booked to see it again from the front row in a few weeks thanks to the tips in here about the £20 tickets.
That being said, a few things did annoy me a bit...
1. The missing comma from the sign on the curtain. Like, you've managed to get an exclamation point, but you can't do a comma?!
2. Ermengarde - has the character always been that overly hysterical? I got bored of her shtick after the first round of whining.
3. The vocals and band sounded very quiet where I was in the Dress Circle at times
4. Did Barnaby really need to be 17? I mean Tyrone Huntley looks young, but not 17!
Overall a solid 4 stars from me and I'm looking forward ti hopefully seeing it without a stop next time.
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Post by coco on Aug 7, 2024 22:51:12 GMT
I agree with the Ermengarde character point. She's driving me crazy.
Also, compared with the time wasted due to the video backdrop, I would rather see a non-stop show without the backdrop, as it didn't serve much in the show.
That said, it is wonderful to see a musical staged on such a scale. I treasure every time I see a musical of its kind.
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Post by mrbarnaby on Aug 8, 2024 5:52:44 GMT
I thought Ermengarde almost stole the show. She got some big laughs and made more of that role than anyone I’ve seen before.
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Post by ladidah on Aug 8, 2024 7:26:11 GMT
Same, she was great.
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Post by Scswp on Aug 8, 2024 17:23:18 GMT
I’ll add agreement to that - she was very funny. |
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Post by anthony40 on Aug 9, 2024 7:23:48 GMT
According to a Tweet that I read, Bernadette Peters was in the house watching last night.
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Post by Being Alive on Aug 9, 2024 7:33:57 GMT
Could she get up there and show them how to do the title number properly? 😂
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Post by singingswimmer on Aug 9, 2024 16:36:08 GMT
According to a Tweet that I read, Bernadette Peters was in the house watching last night. I wonder if the producers want to extend the run, and asked Bernadette Peters to take over the role. I mean, she could have just been there as an audience member but it is curious. |
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Post by Being Alive on Aug 9, 2024 16:40:24 GMT
According to a Tweet that I read, Bernadette Peters was in the house watching last night. I wonder if the producers want to extend the run, and asked Bernadette Peters to take over the role. I mean, she could have just been there as an audience member but it is curious. This isn't extending and Bernadette isn't taking over. |
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Post by Jon on Aug 9, 2024 16:43:36 GMT
There's shows already scheduled for after Hello, Dolly! so extending isn't happening.
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Post by anthony40 on Aug 9, 2024 16:54:35 GMT
According to a Tweet that I read, Bernadette Peters was in the house watching last night. I wonder if the producers want to extend the run, and asked Bernadette Peters to take over the role. I mean, she could have just been there as an audience member but it is curious. Nah, Bernadette is only here for a week or so to some interviews, promote West End Woofs and perform her concert. |
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Post by theatrefan62 on Aug 9, 2024 17:29:47 GMT
Could she get up there and show them how to do the title number properly? 😂 And Imelda could teach her how to act 😆 |
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Post by SuttonPeron on Aug 9, 2024 17:50:42 GMT
Nah. Bernadette acted this role the way it´s supposed to be.
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Post by AddisonMizner on Aug 9, 2024 19:22:09 GMT
I went to see Wednesday’s matinee (7th August), but I have only just had chance to post my thoughts. I once saw an (awful) amateur production of this show, but have very little memory of it. I have never seen the film and do not know the piece itself very well at all. This is my first professional production, so I am coming to it relatively fresh.
The material itself is really not for me. I love an older show - THE KING AND I with Kelli O’Hara at the same theatre was one of the highlights of that year for me. I count MY FAIR LADY as one of my favourite shows of all time. CAROUSEL is one of the most glorious scores ever written. HELLO DOLLY by comparison was old fashioned (gender politics anyone?), plodding (the plot is paper thin) and the songs (whilst catchy) grind the show to a halt, and do not really progress the plot in any conceivable fashion. They also seemed to go on and on ad nauseaum (even the title number where I was thinking - just let the woman eat!) One other example was Horace’s song at the start of Act 2, which was a terrible way to begin.
I was bored through most of the first act, and didn’t really laugh at any of the comedy. (Ermengarde’s shtick became particularly grating after the third or fourth time). The second act picked up for me though. I don’t know if this was because it was genuinely more well written, or if I just got into it. There were moments I did laugh. However, it still went on too long.
With all that being said, I felt that the production itself was generally strong, and had one or two thrilling moments. ‘Put On Your Sunday Clothes’ built to a real show-stopper, particularly with the fantastic train set piece. ‘Before The Parade Passes By’ was thrilling. The title number was well staged with the use of the staircase, and I found it quite moving (although this was more for Imelda’s acting). The last scene between Dolly and Horace was beautifully done, although I felt that Horace’s declaration of love for Dolly came out of nowhere. He hadn’t shown any inclination at all throughout the rest of the show. My dad who was with me, felt like he did love her from the beginning though, but was just kidding himself. These movements gave tingles down the back of the spine, and tears in the eyes. I just wish the rest of it held up.
The choreography was good, but I wanted a bit more energy and attack a la a proper big Broadway show. If you look at an American import like THE BOOK OF MORMON, the choreography is full of so much energy, attack and general Broadway ‘pazzaz’. The choreography in HELLO DOLLY was lacking slightly by comparison.
Imelda was a powerhouse as always, finding real depth in the character of Dolly. I found her performance genuinely moving, especially when relating anything to the deceased husband.
Jenna Russell was too old for the role alongside the Cornelius of Harry Hepple. I know that there are couples with large age gaps, but this just looked wrong, and I didn’t really buy it. Tyrone Huntley also did not look 17. They should have just changed his age in the script and this would not have been an issue. The cast all gave very strong performances though, doing their best with the material.
There were some fantastic set pieces (like the train I have mentioned above), but otherwise the stage looked a little sparse at points. I did like the motorised set changes though.
The band sounded wonderful. It was nice to hear such a large orchestra outside of a concert presentation. The ensemble also sounded great when all singing together.
Overall, I was just thinking ‘why’ throughout. What is the point in reviving this show, other than as a relic of a time gone by. A four-star production of a two-star show. This therefore evens out at about three stars for me.
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Post by sph on Aug 9, 2024 23:24:32 GMT
I actually think Bernadette Peters would really suit this particular production. She has a sort of fragility about her that would make the direction really work. I know she isn't going to do it, but I think she'd be great!
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Post by parsley1 on Aug 10, 2024 0:51:42 GMT
Have a look at the ticket availability for the next few weeks
Some performances have 80% tickets unsold
It’s pretty appalling and I dread to think how much of a loss they have made on this
Just shows that names and reviews are not always enough
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Post by sagiirl on Aug 10, 2024 22:35:42 GMT
Was at the matinee performance today. Got two tickets through the Monday lottery in Stalls row I. £95 tickets for £29.50 a bargain.
Palladium was packed. Chaos getting in with massively long queues but heads up to the FOH they saw I was using a stick and came up to me and directed me to the side door and then down in a lift to the Stalls.
Orchestra was great just annoying that people were talking through the overture.
No standing ovation except for the odd person mid show.
All in all it was a great afternoon and I enjoyed the show for the price we paid.
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Post by SuttonPeron on Aug 10, 2024 23:33:42 GMT
A couple of dates are indeed looking rough... Stage the title number properly, I guess?
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Post by theatregeek on Aug 11, 2024 9:30:25 GMT
My turn at last at matinee yesterday. The pre-show buzz was quite something, atmosphere was electric and I was hoping I could hear the overture without people chatting around me - thankfully they all seemed transfixed from the first note. I was in Row F of the stalls and even there the stage was high and I couldn’t see feet, but I’m one of those who likes to be close to the stage so it was fine for me. Also in the ‘big scene’ the booths obscured Dolly’s entrance - I was about 7 seats in from the end.
I really didn’t like the opening at all, I always go into a show aiming to give it 5 stars and for the first 20 minutes or so I was wavering between 3 and 4 - not what I had hoped. Of course everything picked up at Sunday Clothes and it went like a train from then on. I honestly don’t know where that train lives in the wings - amazing effect. An older Dolly works really well as I had hoped and whilst her vocals are not strong and belty, it fitted with her character. I’m in the loved Ermendarde camp - I never understood the character before and found her annoying, but this time she makes sense - very funny.
There weren’t as many wow moments I had hoped for - I agree that the waiters dance in Harmonia Gardens was a tad boring but it is what it is. I loved the choreography overall and of course the orchestra sounded glorious. I’ve settled on 4 stars, it’s great and a fantastic crowd pleaser but doesn’t quite hit the top notes for me.
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Post by andrew on Aug 11, 2024 17:49:47 GMT
4 stars from me, not my sort of show but a pretty good production all in. I agree the choreography could have been punchier and grander at times. Imelda is incredible. I'm a die-hard for Jenna Russell but she probably was slightly too old for this. The train, the set, the production values generally have to be applauded. An extremely gentle but pleasant night at the theatre!
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Post by ronsdivas on Aug 12, 2024 1:14:39 GMT
I actually think Bernadette Peters would really suit this particular production. She has a sort of fragility about her that would make the direction really work. I know she isn't going to do it, but I think she'd be great! Out of all the "Dollies"....Donna Murphy was the best acted and sung. |
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Post by missbabs on Aug 12, 2024 8:50:43 GMT
I absolutely adored this. It was sheer joy from start to end and I was smiling throughout. I was surprised by just how funny it was - I was expecting a few chuckles here and there but I thought it was hysterical in places.
Imelda Staunton is a true star. I felt every word!
And I don't think I have ever seen an audience response like it at the end: whoops and cheers and cries for more.
I'd go again if I could.
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Post by bobbievanhusen on Aug 13, 2024 0:23:18 GMT
A couple of dates are indeed looking rough... Stage the title number properly, I guess? Yes! a red dress will definitely have them queuing round the block for tickets... |
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