HELLO DOLLY    Toads Stage Musical Company     Princess Theatre, Torquay

Director: Iain Douglas   Choreographer: Aubrey Budd  M.D. John Amery

In the 1960’s Carol Channing made the title role of this show her own on Broadway and her style of singing with her low voice became associated with the part. Personally I prefer to hear the part sung at the correct pitch, but the director of this show clearly took the Carol Channing sound as his inspiration. Despite my preferences this Dolly obviously enjoyed playing the role and gave a lot of energy to the performance.  She was well supported by Vandergelder who played his part with the necessary authority.

Irene Malloy played her part with confidence and her performance of “Ribbons Down My Back” was one of the highlights of the show.  Minnie Fey worked well with Irene Malloy, but there were times when her diction was poor and I had difficulty in hearing her. The ladies chorus danced well and looked attractive, but they needed to put far more energy into their singing.  The men made more effort with their singing and made a good sound, but what happened to the harmonies in “It Takes a Woman”  The end of this number is supposed to sound like a barber shop quartet, a little difficult when the only notes to be heard are the melody.  The Waiter’s Gallop was a little disappointing. It lacked the necessary comedy due to the absence of the usual gags and sin of sins in my book, ladies were included.  The company had enough capable men to perform this as it should be done and I felt it was a shame they were not given the chance to do it. The orchestra played with a well balanced sound and was a delight to listen to. The highlights of the show were Cornelius and Barnaby. Their characterizations and comic timing was excellent, diction was clear the singing of “It only takes a Moment” (Cornelius and Irene) was delightful.