Bette Midler and Barbra Streisand are just two of the greats to have played the title role in Jerry Herman’s 1964 musical, ‘Hello, Dolly’. Now the baton is passed on to Imelda Staunton (newly Dame Imelda) and she gives a true powerhouse of a performance, which is an absolute delight to watch.

It’s a slightly strange choice of a musical to reintroduce but, as usual, producer Michael Harrison throws all the bells and whistles at it that are needed. Director Dominic Cooke, Artistic Director of The Royal Court ten years ago, champions an honest retelling of this classic, traditional score which follows American matchmaker Dolly Levi (Staunton) on her quest of love for others and, most importantly, herself.

The plot is fairly thin but there’s outstanding support to Staunton’s tour de force showing. Andy Nyman plays the rich yet money-tight Horace Vandergelder and gives a strong, natural performance, especially his ‘Penny In My Pocket’ solo which opens the second act superbly. Theatre veteran Jenna Russell is a delightful Irene Molloy and Harry Hepple & Tyrone Huntley are perfect triple threats as Cornelius and Barnaby.

Bill Deamer’s slick & energetic choreography is a joy to watch and credit to the ensemble for nailing many a show-stopping choral number. ‘Put On Your Sunday Clothes’, ‘Waiters Gallop’ and Act 1 finale ‘Before The Parade Passes By’ are real treats as well as the classic ‘Hello, Dolly!’ which brings the house down.

The London Palladium is a glorious venue for such a piece but Rae Smith’s set design is a little underwhelming. The stage looks too huge and empty for the most part and the nice gimmick of a moving conveyor belt across the centre of the stage becomes frustratingly overused.

However, the humour and fun comes thick and fast from Michael Stewart’s book and the audience can’t help but tap and sway along to this gift of a musical. This is Dame Imelda’s show though and she truly shines without even breaking a sweat. As the famous lyric goes ‘Hello Dolly, it’s so nice to have you back where you belong’ – and how true that is.

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