Hello Dolly!
Starring Anita Dobson

Chris Moreno's production of "Hello, Dolly!" premiered at the Theatre Royal Lincoln in November 2006 and was a huge success. Anita Dobson, as Dolly, was absolutely sensational and delivered a perfect performance. She looked divine in a series of glamorous gowns and lit up the stage in every scene. Miss Dobson brilliantly brought out all the characteristics of the legendary Dolly Levi, and you would be forgiven for thinking that the role was created with her in mind. I am not surprised that the production is now touring the UK. I would recommend that anyone who loves theatre, particularly musicals, should not miss this show! PRESS REVIEWS FROM THE LINCOLN PRODUCTION:- RIP-ROARING MUSICAL HITS ALL THE RIGHT NOTES! Non-stop action brings the stage of the Theatre Royal Lincoln to life in a way that nothing but a musical can do. "Hello, Dolly!", starring Anita Dobson is about as spectacular as you can get. Miss Dobson is sensational in the lead role as Dolly Levi, a scheming matchmaker, who is not only out to help others fall in love, but she also has her sights set on a man for herself. The object of Dolly's attention is Horace Vandrgelder. The costumes and settings are stunning and all the cast give strong performances. And the title number, Hello, Dolly! is a musical treat! (Lincolnshire Echo, Nov. 2006) ONE SHOW MAY NOT BE ENOUGH The lavish musical, "Hello, Dolly!", at the Theatre Royal Lincoln, is so full of the feel-good factor that you will want to see it again and again. Anita Dobson, who starred in EastEnders as Angie Watts, steals the show in the title role. She shows how versatile an actress she is as her voice pitch goes up and down depending on who she is talking to and what she wants out of that person. She has the audience in stitches as Dolly, the matchmaker, who talks to her late husband, asking him for a sign so she can marry Horace Vandergelder. She looks great in an array of glittering and glamorous costumes designed by Amy McNamara. She looks heavenly in an orange off-the-shoulder dress with feathers in her hair for the big number, Hello, Dolly!, in which she walks down a grand staircase. Her singing voice also stands up well on I Put My Hand In, Before The Parade Passes By and the fantastic So Long, Dearie. (Newark Advertiser, Nov. 2006) RAPTUROUS WELCOME FOR DOLLY She's back for the first time in 18 years and the message from theatre-goers in Lincoln is "Dolly, don't ever go away again." Audiences have been saying, "Well, Hello, Dolly!" as they welcomed Chris Moreno's latest, and biggest ever, musical production. And with award-winning actress Anita Dobson playing the lead role, Dolly is everything you imagined her to be. She gives a perfect performance. The show is entertaining, amusing and lively from start to finish. (Retford Times, Nov. 2006)

Steve Burbridge, Newcastle upon Tyne

Music and lyrics by Jerry Herman. Based on the play The Matchmaker by Thornton Wilder. Presented by Chris Moreno Ltd. Birmingham Hippodrome, Tuesday 12th February 2008. It must be over 30 years since I last saw this musical and that was in the West End with the legendary Carol Channing as Dolly and Eddie Bracken as Horace and the memories are still there of a wonderful show. Tonight saw the opening in Birmingham and only the second stop on a long tour which ends in August 2008. Produced by Chris Moreno the direction falls to Chris Colby well known for being resident director at the Theatre Royal, Lincoln (where this show originated a couple of years back) and for being at the helm of a number of long and successful musical tours. Anita Dobson sparkled as Dolly Levi both in her costumes and her performance. She was a commanding Dolly and handled all of the dialogue and songs with aplomb. She clearly loved every minute of the role and it worked. Darren Day was well cast as Cornelius Hackl and it was good to see him back on stage doing what he is best at, entertaining, and he received well deserved applause. He handled all his vocals well and had great rapport with Barnaby and Irene. David McAlister was outstanding as that old skinflint but ultimately lovable Horace Vandergelder and the role could have been written for him. Louise English brought all of her West End experience to the role of milliner Irene Molloy and was a perfect match for Cornelius. She has a charming singing voice and “Ribbons down My Back” was a highlight of Act 1. Hamilton Sergeant was a lively Barnaby Tucker and was a great hit with the audience. A large cast worked well together particularly in the elaborately set production numbers with memorable presentations of “Put on Your Sunday Clothes”; “Before the Parade Passes By”; “Hello Dolly” and “It Only Takes a Moment”. Look out too for the huge train which formed part of the eye catching sets. Choreographer David Kort made good use of an attractive and able cast of young dancers and the stage was filled with both movement and colour. It was good to see the children from the Betty Fox Stage School taking part too. Musical director David Beer led a powerful orchestra with plenty of brass and they were first rate from the overture right through to the finale. Designer Alan Miller Bunford brought together a mixture of quality solid sets and backdrops that defined the scenes well and that were a cut above the average touring show and they worked very effectively throughout the production. The lighting design by Colin Wood was well conceived but there were occasions when spot lights were a little slow to illuminate characters and that still needs some adjustment to achieve the best overall effect. Likewise there were a couple of problems on the sound when the orchestra was playing the big production numbers resulting in a booming effect almost as if the sound level was being forced down. The radio microphones worked mainly well with only minor loss of sound at the very start of dialogue for example during the Waiters Gallop sequence. However, this did not spoil what was an outstanding first night and one that will be as memorable for me as my first time of seeing the show all those years ago. Well done cast. Clive Fuller - Encore Magazine.

Clive Fuller, Birmingham

This is a Highly popular feel-good happy musical which you will love and certainly worthy a good evenings entertainment. I can also promise that Anita Dobson (Dolly Levi) will amaze you. You will NOT be disappointed.

Carole White, Cambridge

I saw this show alongside many other Darren Day Fans at its opening night of this tour, at Wolverhampton Grand Theatre on 1st February. (and since) It was by far the most polished and professional opening night performance I have ever seen in my many theatre-going years with its energy, emotion and absolute star quality shining through every act of this well casted show. Anita Dobson is truly Dolly Levi, whilst Darren Day is endearing as Cornelius Hackl, and as well as bringing humour to the stage in this roll, his solo song`A Moment` is utterly brilliant! I cannot wait to visit Malvern theatres again, along with my family to see Hello Dolly!!

Sharon Weston, Ludlow