Imelda Staunton won't be back where she belongs - the theatre, that is - quite when we expected. HELLO, DOLLY! is the latest West End postponement in the face of the ongoing coronavirus crisis.
The hugely-anticipated new West End production of Hello, Dolly! starring Imelda Staunton, which was due to begin performances at the Adelphi Theatre in London on Tuesday 11 August 2020 for a 30-week season, has been indefinitely postponed.
Producers said today that new season details and all further information will be announced at a later date. Ticket holders do not need to do anything. The point of purchase will be in touch soon about refunds.
Michael Harrison and David Ian commented:
“Whilst we are naturally disappointed that we aren’t able to stage the show this summer, we are completely committed to Hello, Dolly! Dominic Cooke’s new production is set to have a cast of 34 and an orchestra of 18 musicians. This, coupled with Rae Smith’s stunning new designs, means we do not want to compromise the length of run, so postponing until the time is right and schedules permit is the best option. But plans are already underway for the new season which we will announce as soon as we can. Dolly will most certainly be back where she belongs.”
With music and lyrics by Jerry Herman (La Cage aux Folles, Mack and Mabel, Mame) and book by Michael Stewart (42nd Street, Mack and Mabel, Barnum), Hello, Dolly! is one of the most iconic musicals of all time. Herman’s timeless score includes ‘Put On Your Sunday Clothes’, ‘Ribbons Down My Back’, ‘Before the Parade Passes By’, ‘Elegance’, ‘It Only Takes a Moment’ and of course, ‘Hello, Dolly!’.
Multi Olivier and BAFTA Award-winning Imelda Staunton is cast to play meddlesome socialite turned matchmaker Dolly Levi, as she travels to Yonkers, New York to find a match for the miserly, unmarried ‘half-a-millionaire’ Horace Vandergelder. But everything changes when she decides that the next match she needs to make is for herself.
This production of Hello, Dolly! reunites Staunton with director Dominic Cooke, after their success with the critically acclaimed National Theatre production of Stephen Sondheim’s Follies.
It also reunites Staunton with producers Michael Harrison and David Ian. Their production of Gypsy at the Savoy Theatre was awarded the Olivier Award for Best Musical Revival, and for which Imelda also won the Olivier Award for Best Actress In A Musical for her acclaimed portrayal of Momma Rose.
We would just like to send our love and support to everyone during this difficult time. The closing of theatres and their shows is devastating.
— â¤ï¸ HELLO, DOLLY! â¤ï¸ (@hellodollyLDN) March 23, 2020
Letâs hope we'll be back where we belong very soon.
Take care of each other â¤ï¸ #hellodolly pic.twitter.com/Fy27AU5FoX
