A new production of the 1964 stage musical Hello Dolly is playing a limited summer season at the London Palladium.

It stars Dame Imelda Staunton in the lead role along with a full cast.

The plot sees 'meddlesome socialite turned matchmaker Dolly Levi travelling to Yonkers, New York to find a wife for grumpy Horace Vandergelder.

He is a miserly, and unmarried, 'half-a-millionaire'.

But, as it turns out, Dolly decides the best match for Horace is herself.

Music and lyrics are by Jerry Herman, whose credits include La Cage aux Folles, Mack and Mabel and Mame) and with a score including Put On Your Sunday Clothes and, of course Hello, Dolly!.

Images : Manuel Harlan

Hello, Dolly, is an old fashioned musical - in the very best sense.

If staged to its true potential, as this production does, it offers an evening of inconsequential joy.

And in the iconic London Palladium, has found a temporary home a theatre that almost warrants the price of a ticket in its own right.

With its architectural grandeur and a 125-year dominance as the Capital's premier venue for musicals, variety shows and concerts, the London Palladium is the ideal theatre for staging Hello Dolly.

The excellent orchestra striking up the overture for this new production of Dolly, paves the way for the delightful theatrical experience that follows.

Hello, Dolly has all the ingredients needed to make the finest of the Hollywood genre of musicals so enjoyable.

The storyline, of matchmaker Dolly deciding to match herself with Horace, is frivolously suited to a musical with a string of solo and duet numbers and spoken dialogue interspersed with grand ensemble song and dance routines.

Among these Put On Your Sunday Clothes and Hello, Dolly itself stand out.

The result is a musical that enchants with warmth and great humour from a large cast in an array of vibrant costumes, who are obviously enjoying it as much as we are.

And then there is Imelda Staunton, who delivers a warm and seemingly effortless performance that is testimony to her calibre and a consummate performer.

She is very ably supported by Andy Nyman as Horace, Jenna Russell as Irene Mulloy, Tyrone Huntley as Barnaby Tucker and Harry Hepple as Cornelius Hack.

A truly bright, light-hearted and carefree evening of musical theatre at its very best.

Hello Dolly runs at the London Palladium until 14 September 2024.

Useful links

https://hellodollyldn.com/

https://lwtheatres.co.uk/theatres/the-london-palladium/about-the-london-palladium/