Review: Hello, Dolly! Irving Stage Company, Theatre Royal Bury St Edmunds, until Saturday

First performed in the early 60s on Broadway, this award-winning musical has deservedly won many accolades.

Last night's performance by the highly-talented Irving Stage Company was a sheer joy to watch.

It was full of fun, colour and very entertaining – with that feel-good factor.

The choreography was well thought out and performed with ease and joy by the cast, who you sensed found it as entertaining as the very enthusiastic audience.

The sound system was first-class as it provided excellent clarity to the soloists and the ensemble.

The use of the fore-stage and also the auditorium for the cast to sometimes enter the stage added to the intimacy of the production.

The orchestra, under the directorship of Philip Shaw, was tucked away in the pit and added to the uplifting feel with its vibrant music.

Now, the path to love is not always a smooth journey but the twists and turns in this musical were almost worthy of Whitehall Farce.

The devious, cynical yet highly comic nature of forming a partnership was bought out in grand style by real life husband and wife team Jackie and Chris Strahm playing the lead roles of Dolly and Horace. Needless to say their stage chemistry was spot on.

There are numerous hilarious moments punctuated by the many songs this show is famous for. Seeing and hearing Hello, Dolly sung so beautifully by Jackie in its full context was most touching.

A couple of real jokers were Cornelius (Marc Kerr) and Barnaby (Ben Young), whose capers included learning to dance under the questionable supervision of the multi-talented Dolly (who had fingers in too many pies to mention).

This was a great evening’s entertainment full of fun, frolics and wonderfully-performed songs and dance.

The show runs until Saturday. For tickets go to www.theatreroyal.org

Review by Robert Wright