Director Noel Browne and his creative team, including the extraordinary costuming by Felicity Hall have once again conquered a remarkable opening night of HELLO DOLLY!
How I LOVE a show by NOVA MUSICAL THEATRE, the team never fail to put on a community show at a professional level! You could easily drop this cast in their costumes into a big city theatre without any questions whatsoever.
I vividly remember seeing the movie (when I used to rate movies as a kid on a list on my door – a reviewer in the making). My Mum loved Barbara Streisand and she said I’d love it and I did – it would’ve been given 10/10 by me back then. This stage production by NOVA no different, a 10/10 for storytelling, singing, acting, costuming, choreography, set design, sound tech., lighting, casting and creativity! Then I would add in the completely AMAZING orchestra and music of course for 12/12.
I take along my neighbour tonight who also can’t believe the standard continually coming on one after the other.
The first thing I adore is the costuming, it is absolutely out of this world and the way the ensemble hold their ‘mannequin’ like poses in still-life moments is praiseworthy giving us a chance to look around the stage at all the colours and styles; long dresses with petticoats and parasols, frills and lace with delicately held reticule bags.
The men look equally splendid in their waistcoats and top hats. I recently learned on a history tour that the taller the top hat, the wealthier the gentleman. I particularly liked the orange, bright green and cobalt blue, but honestly everyone looked incredible in every scene. Those who danced around in white trimmed with colour too looked lovely with the lighting; you’ve got the picture!
Playing ‘Dolly Gallagher Levi’ (matchmaker meddler/organiser) is Susan Warner and what a show she puts on almost like she is performing for both audience and cast. A voice you could hear in any Broadway production and perfect persona for character. Susan is one of those seasoned performers you enjoy from the second she speaks her first word. She does the role with ease, her singing, her dancing (and dance-teaching), her acting and more; it is a privilege to appreciate such commanding attention. Absolutely LOVED watching her. Oh and her final courture – WOW!!
‘Horace Vandergelder’ is in character by John Leahy. I’ve seen John in a number of shows now, including him cast alongside my own daughter in Nova’s ‘Music Man’. My daughter now works overseas, but I know her experiences in community theatre only helped her become employed as a performer. John is every bit suited to playing the ubrupt half-a-millionaire beside Dolly. I love his loudness, stubbornness and watching him interact with all on his path to run his business and find a new wife. Will he eventually marry Dolly? Will he be tempted or shocked by the promise of an oochy-koochi with the fabulously played ‘Ernestina Money’ by Pamela Briathwaite in her pink feather boa that looks rather good on Horace too 😉
16 guys choreographed on stage for ‘It takes a Woman’ has everything down to Ra-Ra-Ra, and it’s just a taste, as this lot are back in lots of whacky waiter chaos at the Harmonia Gardens Restaurant headed up by ‘Rudolph Reisenweber’ played strict and proper by David Sly.
Shout out to Daniel Sultana (ensemble) when the audience went wild after he bravely pulled off a HIGH flip-fall amongst plates and pheasants much to the delight of all. These full-on fun crazy good scenes are constant throughout, so you can eagerly anticipate another one. ‘Put on Your Sunday Clothes’ was my favourite.
Finally, I cannot even begin to give enough credit to:
Rafaela Cleeve Gerkens as ‘Irene Molloy’, in a word (from the lady sitting behind me) “WOW”, but in fact I have no words, just go hear her sing!
Hayley Wooten as ‘Minnie’, lovable from outset, this girl can ACT! She’s adorable!!
Patrick Cottin as ‘Cornelius’ just fantastic, he’s exactly like you expect and want him to be, a little awkward on purpose but heartfelt with telling us of his new-found love for Irene.
Nathaniel Calleja as ‘Barnaby’, so cute in this role, no wonder he already has a long list of credits in the program.
‘Ambrose’ and ‘Ermengarde’ played by Stephen Burton and Hannah Brodribb are great together, they nail the ‘polka’ competition dance and Hannah’s weeping cry is next level.
CONGRATULATIONS to all and let’s hope that HELLO DOLLY! never does go away….
DIRECTOR Noel Browne
MUSICAL DIRECTOR Peter Grant OAM
CHOREOGRAPHER Wayne Robinson
LIGHTING Michael Zagarn
AUDIO Mitchell Raymond
COSTUMES Felicity Hill
STAGE MANAGER Glenys Browne
CAST
DOLLY Susan Warner
HORACE John Leahy
CORNELIUS Patrick Cottin
BARNABY Nathaniel Calleja
IRENE Rafaela Cleeve Gerkens
MINNIE Hayley Wootten
AMBROSE Stephen Burton
ERMENGARDE Hannah Brodribb
ENESTINA Pamela Braithwaite
RUDOLPH David Sly
NIGHT COURT JUDGE Tristan Everett
MRS ROSE Nicole Cooper
ENSEMBLE: Tamsin Ashdown, Lauren Bolzonello, Stephan Brennan, Madeleine Brown, Michael Capon, Carrie Chiu, Eimear Cormack, Raelene Dundon, Ruby Hall, Stephanie Herbert, Philip Liberatore, Estelle Lipovertsky, Aaron McBride, Jett McIntosh, David Nicholls, Warren Overton, Robyn Parker, Hannah Powell, Kaleena Shillam, Daniel Sultana, Brian Sweetman, Tristan Wainwright, Max Reina-Henriksen.
and all the creative and production crew.
Tickets: https://www.theround.com.au/HelloDolly
More info: https://www.novamusictheatre.com.au/
To book tickets to Hello Dolly, please visit https://www.novamusictheatre.com.au/.
Photographer: Gavin D Andrew
