Music by Jerry Herman; Book byMichael Stewart
From Dec 31 State Theatre, Melbourne Arts Centre
Reviewer: Kate Herbert around 9 Jan 1995
This review published in Jan 1995 in the Herald Sun (or maybe it was The Melbourne Times? I don’t have the details anymore.) KH
Hello Dolly! is fluff. Let nobody tell you otherwise. The plot is thin, the characters two-dimensional and the sentiments questionable. It is crammed with tacky love scenes, bad jokes and extravagant chorus routines but if you love a musical, get along.
Dolly Levi (Jill Perryman), a New York widow, has made a career in matchmaking since the death of her sainted husband. After years of settling other people's affairs, she has now decided to settle herself upon her abrasive, penny-pinching but unsuspecting client, Horace Vandergelder (Warren Mitchell), a "half-a-millionaire" grain dealer from Yonkers.
Musically, the show relies heavily on the title song. There are no other really memorable tunes. Jill Perryman's doting public applauded like seals every time she blinked, particularly during her gala promenade around the apron of the stage followed by a bevy of dancing waiters.
Warren Mitchell is very restrained as Vandergelder and Henshaw could afford to give this consummate performer his head to raise the comedy stakes. Denise Drysdale's cameo as the blousy Ernestine Money, reached the ultimate degree of tacky campness. Jackie Love, with her light comic touch and fine voice, was a delightful Irene Molloy.
Director Christopher Henshaw probably has another commercial success on his hands after his recent production of South Pacific, Dolly is pacy and very camp, but aren't most old musicals? It is as much a fashion parade as a show and costume designer, Tim Goodchild, has had a field day designing vivid and spectacular gowns for the turn of the century. Set design by Brian Thompson has a quirky and effective cartoon-like quality which off-sets the costumes.
KATE HERBERT 270 wd
No comments:
Post a Comment