They also have ‘love, look in my window’.
Yes it all works. And Staunton has warmth. But at the same time they could rename this production “Hello there dolly, R U OK?” because in subtle ways they do try to emphasise darkness. For example, after the overture Staunton opens cold alone on stage with the new opening that makes it feel like a darker start than unusual. the underscoring in the dialogue before ‘Parade Passes By’ is now more dissonant than just overly sentimental. And the beginning of ‘Parade Passes By’ has been slightly re-arranged to be more of a desperate plea.
The physical production is less opulent than the last revival on Broadway but the ‘harmonia gardens’ set is beautifully designed and Staunton comes out in a green dress. To continue the theme of darkness, her facial expression through much of the beginning of ‘hello, dolly’ reminds me of Bernadette’s entrance in ‘follies’ - she is so overwhelmed to be there she is actually emotional. The score also very slightly re-arranged to bring this out before eventually being the joyful title song we all know and love.
Staunton’s vocals are very good. She comes across as more energetic, faster and younger than Bernadette’s dolly. And her vocals are stronger than Bernadette’s. Very cool low kind of improvised sounding notes towards the end of Hello Dolly (not the first time I’ve heard think Donna Murphy did something similarly). ‘Love look in my window’ continuing the darkness, along with what looks like a bit of overwhelmed crying during the final reprise of hello, dolly.
Her ‘so long, dearie’ is fast in tempo more like Barbara Streisand. In fact the entire production feels a bit speedier than the last Broadway revival, with projections showing sceneries moving in several scenes as if they are moving at pace. Almost trying to make it seem a bit like a movie musical scene in the street. But I found some of Staunton’s lines read too quickly that the laughs went.
Overall, it works, it’s fun. It’s not the last Broadway revival - I now realise that was an absolute life changing piece of theatre in every single way possible. Nothing will compare to the joy, opulence - god ‘put on your Sunday clothes’ with the costumes and train, and the trays before ‘hello, dolly!’ Etc. We will never see that again.
I don’t believe this will be bound for Broadway, but it is definitely worth seeing if you’re in London. Very privileged to have been to the very first performances of both Bernadette Peters and now Imelda Staunton. It’s that first audience reaction to all the various moments as well as Bernadette/Staunton first reactions that you can only really experience live.
Also, I almost forgot. When Dolly encourages Cornelius and Barnaby to go to the hat shop she says something like ‘and if you tell anyone i told you this I’ll tell them what both liars you are’ or something like that. I don’t remember hearing this before. Or at least, it was read in such a way this time that keeping with the theme of darkness it almost felt psychopathic. Like when someone is smiling then switches to psychopath and switches back.
Hello, dolly, are you ok?
Give me claws and a hunch, just away from this bunch.
Updated On: 7/6/24 at 05:44 PM
