Reviews
April 20 2011
Hello
Dolly!
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RMDS is celebrating its centenary this year, and there could surely be no better celebration than this absolutely outstanding production which will, I’m sure, go down in the society’s history as one of its best ever. And what a joy to see so many members on stage, ranging from those of many years’ standing to young children, some of whose families have a long history with the society. By using a walkway round the orchestra and having some of the performers enter and exit through the auditorium, the smallish stage is easily able to accommodate the 60-odd people taking part so that it never looks overcrowded. And at this point I must mention the excellent set, especially impressive as Vandergelder’s Hay and Feed Store and the Harmonia Gardens Restaurant - those stairs are quite something. The costumes, too, are simply gorgeous. Director Chrissie Peckham knows the show extremely well, having played the role of Dolly when the society performed the show 20 years ago. (This particular reviewer also knows the show rather well, as almost twice as long ago she played Ermengarde in another society’s production at Bournemouth Pavilion, but let that pass…) She has done a wonderful job with this production, and I really felt that all the characters came to life and made the plot seem utterly charming and believable. It rises or falls on the strength of its Dolly Levi (born Gallagher, marriages arranged), and Suzy Collins ticks absolutely every box. She has a warmth about her that shines through, and she gives a truly magnificent performance, as does Richard Bennett as the grumpy, irascible Horace Vandergelder, helpless in the face of Dolly’s determination. Andy Steeds’ wonderfully characterised Cornelius Hackl has much of the Michael Crawford about it, and Sarah Pogson, although looking a little young for the role, gives a lovely, measured performance as Irene Molloy. Lydia Shaw is an absolute delight as her assistant, Minnie Fay – and what a lovely moment, I suspect unintentional, when at the performance I attended she caught the hat that flew off the stand as Cornelius, attempting to dance, crashed into it and sent it flying. She is well partnered by an ever-smiling Adam Davis as Barnaby Tucker. In smaller roles there are good characterisations from Abbie Guy (Ermengarde), Robbie Shaw (Ambrose Kemper), Chris Duell (Ernestina) and Julian Peckham (Rudolph), plus a lovely scene-stealing moment from Rich Gilbey as the Judge. There is also extremely good chorus work – I just loved the fact that EVERYONE seemed to be smiling all the time - , and in particular I must highlight the highly energetic and most impressive waiters’ gallop. Musical director Chris Guy wields his baton impressively too, and singing and orchestral playing are first rate. If I may make the tiniest of criticisms, I should have liked to hear more of the exploding cans that are the reason Cornelius and Barnaby can close Vandergelder’s Yonkers store and head for New York - from my front row seat I heard no more than one very quiet ‘phut’. I wouldn’t have wanted the fire brigade to have had to be called out, but… Put on your Sunday clothes, strut down the street towards Ringwood and get yourself a ticket for this super show. It runs until Saturday but there is no performance on Friday. Linda Kirkman |