It’s time to say Hello, Dolly!
For a generation of fans who know Imelda Staunton solely as Professor Umbridge, kindly get thee along to Hello, Dolly! next summer and educate yourself. Having won four Olivier Awards over the course of her glittering London stage career, Staunton is one of the UK’s leading musical actresses, and she’ll get another chance to prove that when Hello, Dolly! arrives on August 11th, 2020. And helpfully, we’ve got your tickets all lined up…
See also: Timothée Chalamet is coming to the London stage in 2020.
Hello, Dolly! continues a barnstorming run for the actress, even by her own high standards. Staunton’s previous four London stage roles – including acclaimed performances in the National Theatre’s revival of Follies, and a star turn in Gypsy at the Savoy Theatre – have all been at least nominated for Olivier Awards, so there are extremely high hopes for this one. Plus, she’s just been confirmed to take over from Olivia Colman in The Crown, as if she didn’t have enough lined up already!
Staunton will, naturally, take the lead, playing the headstrong matchmaker Dolly Levi. In facing down her greatest professional challenge – finding a partner for miserly millionaire Horace Vangelder – Dolly decides that the next match she’s got to make will be for herself, via a diverting chorus of songs such as ‘Put On Your Sunday Clothes’ and ‘It Only Takes A Moment’.
See also: Jake Gyllenhaal will take the lead in Sunday in the Park with George in 2020.
The show reunites Staunton with her Follies director Dominic Cooke, whilst she’ll be joined onstage by stage veteran Jenna Russell, with the remainder of the cast yet to be announced. You’ll find Hello, Dolly! at the Adelphi Theatre for a 30-week run, and you’ll find your tickets here!
Practical information
Featured image: @hellodollyldn