9:41am Thursday 11th March 2010
By Lucie Richards
Hello, Dolly!
The Haymarket
Until March 13
FROM the opening tap-dance to the final bow, the talented members of Basingstoke Amateur Operatic Society (BAOS) inject a real energy into this production of Hello, Dolly!
To begin with the lady herself, Helen Palmer, as professional meddler Dolly Levi, has a powerful voice and lends the role the quietly self-assured feel that it requires.
As the lynchpin of the show, the role of Dolly comes with a lot of lines, which led to a few memory slips under the pressure of opening night nerves, but Palmer recovered quickly and will doubtless settle into the part as the week goes on.
Her pairing with David Scanlan as Horace Vandergelder works well, and as a BAOS veteran – in his 18th production with the society – Scanlan brings a real stage presence to the part of the gruff half-millionaire who is looking for a new wife.
A key strength of this production is its casting, with no finer example than Robin Walton, in his first show with BAOS, as the loveable chief clerk Cornelius Hackl.
Through his mannerisms, accent and energy, Walton is in his element and is clearly a talented performer – let’s hope he is part of many BAOS productions to come.
Teamed up with David Chadwick as Barnaby Tucker, they make a great duo. They feed off each other’s energy and Chadwick is a particularly gifted physical comedian.
The deft casting is extended to Kim Knights and Charlotte Barnes – as their romantic interests Irene and Minnie – and the foursome each put a stamp on their parts.
Barnes comes across very naturally and Knights brings a real sadness to Ribbons Down My Back with her lovely voice.
Kate Aherne’s choreography for the ensemble and individuals is lively throughout, but no audience will come away without marvelling at the show-stopping Waiters’ Gallop. A team of young Basingstoke rugby players give their all in a brilliantly energetic and imaginative series of athletic displays, which had the audience in stitches.
As well as a skyline silhouette backdrop, the production team has created simple but effective sets that allow for plenty of movement and wardrobe mistress Shelagh Thompson injects a wealth of colour, frills and ribbons into the spectacle.
Overall, Adam Bayjou has directed a very creative, animated and colourful production that all the company seem to enjoy – something which professional shows do not always achieve – and the good news for the audience is the tickets are also cheaper.
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