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Hello, Dolly! the musical has returned to the stage after 20 years and this week you can catch it at Darlington Civic Theatre. Hello, Dolly! is a comedy musical starring Anita Dobson, Darren Day and Louise English.
 
The story, for those who aren’t familiar, is of meddling Dolly Levi (Anita Dobson) who wins her bread by busying herself with other peoples lives, particularly as a match maker although she claims she can do anything. However, Dolly’s got her eye on the half-a-millionaire Vandergelder (David McAlister) who’s looking for a second wife, the story twists as he’s got his eye on Irene Molloy (Louise English).
 
The comedy is provided by Vandergelder’s two clerks, Cornelius Hackl (Darren Day) and Barnaby Tucker (Hamilton Sargent) who sneak off to New York when they should be working to meet women. They find themselves in Irene Molloy’s hat shop hiding from their boss, when meddling Dolly walks in and claims that Cornelius Hackl is a rich New Yorker who’s known and loved by half the city. 
 
In order to make amends Dolly then suggests that Irene Molloy and her assistant Minnie Fay (Amanda Salmon) allow Hackl and Tucker to take them out for dinner; believing they are rich Irene Molloy agrees and we follow them all to the Harmonia Gardens Restaurant – the finest in New York City.
 
Although the show gets off to a slow start, by the end of Act 1 you really begin to know the characters and feel like you’re there with them and in Act 2 it gets even better. A truly hilarious musical complemented by excellent costumes and sets; you really feel like you’re on Broadway. The casting was fantastic, Anita Dobson really pulls off the role of Dolly and Louise English’s voice is stunning, capturing all the notes and captivating the audience.
 
Hello, Dolly! is at Darlington Civic Theatre until Saturday 15 March and tickets can be bought by calling 01325 486555, or follow the weblink below to book online.