Post by Christine on Jun 5, 2008 19:33:35 GMT
Went to Southampton last night to see the touring version of 'Hello Dolly'. It's only there for the week (well 5 days as started on Tuesday) but straight away i can't see it being a sell out show. There were loads of spaces when i was there, in fact i would say not even 1/2 full.
I love the music from that show & sort of knew the story as i have seen the film but a long time ago. Both Anita Dobson & Darren Day star in the show but ............well there was something about Anita she was 1) bit too over the top with everything 2) her voice was horrible in some places - too screechy (if that's how you spell the word) and 3) i think too skinny for the part.
As for Darren Day unless you knew him you wouldn't of reconised him, sorry but he has put on so much weight since i saw him in 'Summer Holiday' a few years ago. He was playing one of the 'shop keepers' and one a good part as Cornelius Hackl and so did Hamilton Sargent who played Barnaby Tucker but again something was missing which is a shame.
The sets were good but very basic and they even had a tram on the stage (reminded me of San Fransico when i was there years ago) and also a train. Made me wonder how on earth can they fit all that lot back stage. I know Southampton Mayflower has a big back stage (well it looked big when i was there about 18 months ago when a friend showed me round) but didn't think it would get a train on there!!!
The audience seem to love it & loved the end of the show (not because it was time to go home!!) as the did a reprease of the main songs & it was lovely. One song that everyone does know is the title song 'Hello Dolly' and my what a fanastic not only number but set that was.
Must mention all the male dancers though, my they can dance and fast. Felt sorry for one of them though as he looked like he was new to the part & did unfortunately drop a couple of items during that number - silver tray and table cloth but he did cover it up really well.
I was looking at the dance routines - for some reason i look at shows from a different angle now - and they certainly had a lot of rehursals for all that lot, took my breath away just watching them!!!
I didn't know the cast at all but there were a couple of faces that looked familier but at £3.50 for the prog i thought no what will i do with it afterwards only go in the wardrobe like a lot of others!! So i didn't bother.
Word of warning if you do go, act one is about 100 mins long & act 2 is just over the hour although it started at 7.30 & i was already on my way home (as i parked in the street next to the theatre not the car park) by 10.10pm.
Enjoy if you do go, I hope i haven't put anyone off with my reivew. I have been able to find out who the company is & their link to the tour dates is:
www.chrismorenoltd.com/newprod.htm
Chat soon & sorry to go on so long.
Christine x
I love the music from that show & sort of knew the story as i have seen the film but a long time ago. Both Anita Dobson & Darren Day star in the show but ............well there was something about Anita she was 1) bit too over the top with everything 2) her voice was horrible in some places - too screechy (if that's how you spell the word) and 3) i think too skinny for the part.
As for Darren Day unless you knew him you wouldn't of reconised him, sorry but he has put on so much weight since i saw him in 'Summer Holiday' a few years ago. He was playing one of the 'shop keepers' and one a good part as Cornelius Hackl and so did Hamilton Sargent who played Barnaby Tucker but again something was missing which is a shame.
The sets were good but very basic and they even had a tram on the stage (reminded me of San Fransico when i was there years ago) and also a train. Made me wonder how on earth can they fit all that lot back stage. I know Southampton Mayflower has a big back stage (well it looked big when i was there about 18 months ago when a friend showed me round) but didn't think it would get a train on there!!!
The audience seem to love it & loved the end of the show (not because it was time to go home!!) as the did a reprease of the main songs & it was lovely. One song that everyone does know is the title song 'Hello Dolly' and my what a fanastic not only number but set that was.
Must mention all the male dancers though, my they can dance and fast. Felt sorry for one of them though as he looked like he was new to the part & did unfortunately drop a couple of items during that number - silver tray and table cloth but he did cover it up really well.
I was looking at the dance routines - for some reason i look at shows from a different angle now - and they certainly had a lot of rehursals for all that lot, took my breath away just watching them!!!
I didn't know the cast at all but there were a couple of faces that looked familier but at £3.50 for the prog i thought no what will i do with it afterwards only go in the wardrobe like a lot of others!! So i didn't bother.
Word of warning if you do go, act one is about 100 mins long & act 2 is just over the hour although it started at 7.30 & i was already on my way home (as i parked in the street next to the theatre not the car park) by 10.10pm.
Enjoy if you do go, I hope i haven't put anyone off with my reivew. I have been able to find out who the company is & their link to the tour dates is:
www.chrismorenoltd.com/newprod.htm
Chat soon & sorry to go on so long.
Christine x