This production of Hello, Dolly! is one of the best revivals that we've had in the west end. Just went to see it the other day and I am speechless even now. I really like how this show actually got the chance to do perform this because I remember they tried to do this in 2020 but of course that couldn't happen. Amazing things are worth the wait!!
seeing her as the understudy to Julia McKenzie in 'Guys and Dolls' over 40 years ago, and then her taking over the role of Miss Adelaide, to this point is quite the trajectory. She was a lovely young woman then (I worked in the same theatre), and seems to have not have changed in that regard. A national treasure, deserving the recognition she receives.
Was at the show last night - 16th July -= AMAZING! The whole cast were a class apart - and Imelda! SUBLIME! That lady is true theatre royalty. Never in all my years of going to the theatre have I witnessed, nor been part of, such an ovation at the end of a show! I have no words to describe it - this show is a MUST see! You've only got till 14th Sept to see it!
I still can't get over this production's orchestrations. 21 pieces, yet when I close my eyes - it sounds like a much larger orchestra. Stellar cast, Imelda is brilliant as Dolly, not to mention these stunning visuals (shame I can't see this in person unless I fly across the pond - only two months)
Watched the show 20th August. Brilliant performance by Imelda and the cast. What an amazing set, with the scrollling background plus the travelator. I honestly thought the train was real! Best musical in the West End this summer.
This morning will go down in History for 2 reasons #1 my husband suprised me this morning with a trip to London for 2 weeks and on August 17 he got 2 tickets 3rd row center Orchestra to see my #1❤ Stage actress Imelda Staunton in Hello Dolly!!! #2 I wrote her a fan letter and she answered back the next day!!!!! I am now in Imelda heaven!!!!
Ok, yay for you and your husband! I'm jealous but happy for you! So do say, where did you write her? I want to- I talked to her after Gypsy but would love to write her.
Lucky you! She is FABulous. I am always so impressed that she has done and continues to do musicals in the west end as well as being one of England's greatest dramatic actresses--she was so brilliant in Masterpiece's "Flesh and Blood."
I told my daughter that I would take her on a mother-daughter trip to celebrate her college graduation. She picked London. And I insisted on seeing Hello Dolly, which we saw tonight. Dame Imelda was absolutely fabulous!!! Please come perform in the states.
I want to see Imelda! Hope it will transfer to New York next year-- if I could get there and afford it from Boston! Saw her twice in London in Gypsy! She's the best!
She absolutely nailed the journey from grief to joy, hers is a many layered Dolly. Lovely touch in ‘Before the Parade Passes By’ when the Funeral Directors Guild March past, she greets and shakes the hand of the boss. A nod to the passing of her late husband.
@KajiVocals I saw the Tina Turner musical in Sydney. There was someone taping the production. At interval an usher and a security officer pulled the woman aside and made her delete the recording. They were given a round of applause by the rest of the audience.
I saw her in Gypsy a number of years ago and thought I she was fantastic then. Nothing here to change my opinion!! As somebody commented, she was excellent as Professor Umbridge in the Harry Potter films. That high pitched giggle was like chalk squeaking down an old.blackboard.
To be completely fair, there's like two keyboardists AND a guitar down there (the second keyboardist doubles celesta as well as other patches from what I saw in a video uploaded by somebody last mont,), but the audio mixing is SO immaculate that you almost don't know they're down there hahaha
To me Imelda Staunton will be forever sinister and corrupt Dolores Umbridge, even when she does the Queen. She's a fabulous actress-like so many of her British colleagues really. How do they get so good?
They don't let their egos get away with them. And they study and work hard for years. They tend to stay humble. Imelda and Judi Dench are prime examples of what dedication can do.
Saw Channing in the role six times. There are videos floating around of her performances. The role is hers. Saw a video of Imelda in Gypsy. Hated it. Can’t touch Lansbury or Merman, and I saw them both.
wow, I didn't know her majesty could sing like that! impressive! two observations though.....1: damn, that's a huge cast. and 2. why is that one chick wearing glasses? is this a diversity thing?
Streisand was wonderful, but 25-30 years too young for the part, and for obvious reasons the character's name was no longer Dolly GALLAGHER Levi -- Thornton Wilder (who added the character to the 19th century Austrian source play) made a subtly subversive statement about Dolly's fiercely independent streak by making her an Irish woman who married a Jewish man.
