Audience reaction: "I TOOK my nine-year-old daughter to support a friend in the Teachers' Operatic Production of Hello Dolly at the weekend and what a superb show awaited us. It was magnificent. "just seen Hello Dolly at The Lyceum, Sheffield, performed by Sheffield Teachers "just like to say well done to all involved with Hello Dolly. I was there last night along with some of the NODA Summer School attendees. What a fantastic show! Well worth travelling from Scunthorpe for! Everyone was great but special mention should go to Mary for a fab Dolly Levi. Well done!" AB "Fantastic show. Well done to all involved. I personally thought it was much better than the touring version that came last year, especially Dolly Levi!" BM "Fantastic show, everyone. Well done! Never seen the stage show before, only the film (which I didn't particularly like). This was so much more enjoyable and Dolly was incredible!" EC "Just a brief note to offer my congrats to everyone involved in what was a sterling production of Dolly. I saw it one Wednesday and was thoroughly impressed, what a voice Hackle had. All in all a great evening's entertainment which did the society proud." MT "well done in dolly last night everyone was a really great show really enjoed it laughed all the way through, Dolly was the best person on the stage she had a great stage presense" DP Newspaper Crits:
The set, the costumes, and most of all the West End quality of singing and dancing – especially the star quality of "Dolly". My daughter was entranced by her first experience of a musical and I loved every minute.
It must have taken enormous efforts to put on so many performances that week to such a high standard – and from a bunch of people with tiring and pressured day jobs. Where on earth did they get the energy to rehearse and perform like a professional cast? I am astonished and impressed. It was my first experience of the Teachers Operatic and won't be my last. I went to do a friend a favour, but actually the favour was all hers!" FS
Operatic Society, absolutely brilliant in every way - music, costumes, scenery and stage changes, choreography, dialogue, singing and overall professionalism. I saw the 'professional' touring version with Anita Dobson, and I have to say that the STOS performance was 1000 times better in every single area, well done to everyone!" IR
"SHEFFIELD Teachers' Operatic Society have put on a lavish production of Herman and Stewart's classic musical comedy.
Dolly Levi, a widowed New York City Jewish matchmaker, in 1890, travels to Yonkers, home of Horace Vandergelder, a wealthy grain merchant whom she would like to marry. Horace, however, has matrimonial plans of his own. Dolly therefore does some sneaky matchmaking in order to scupper his plans and bag him for herself.
Right from the start we see some wonderful period costumes and painstakingly choreographed set pieces. Every change of scene from a lifesize train to the famous Harmonia Gardens restaurant involves a brand new set.
Mary Kingsnorth is a revelation as Dolly. She becomes completely absorbed in the role and injects just the right amount of charm, dry wit and charisma. Her many hilarious scenes include a wonderful exchange with Horace, Phil Brownhill in full cantankerous mode, at a restaurant table. She tries a bit of jiggery-pokery to persuade an unconvinced Horace to marry her. At one point she says, “I've made up your mind!”
The leads are ably supported by the precociously talented, Emily McAvoy, as Minnie who falls for Martin Scattergood's shop assistant, Barnaby. Sarah Buckley as Irene and her suitor Cornellius, played by Phill Probert also impress.
Director John Cumberlidge has drilled his large cast to perfection. The showtunes are bold and the dancing is spectacular. The immortal entrance for the Hello Dolly number is done with panache. The late Ephraim Levi would certainly approve."
Stephen Grigg
The Star November 19 2009.
"John Cumberlidge returns to direct Sheffield Teachers' Operatic Society's staging of Jerry Herman's musical in a production that is not a routine run-through of the last two or three times you have seen it.
Colourfully costumed, lively and zestful with everyone looking as if they belong in their roles, it avoids being a star vehicle, though Dolly Levi remains the catalyst of events without being overpowering.
Mary Kingsnorth treats the role's comical dimensions with a deadpan demeanour that always makes it mark with subtlety and gives it a more natural feel, without stereotypical Jewish mannerisms.
Her timing is excellent, especially in the Harmonia Gardens dining scene with Phil Brownhill's crusty Horace – who leads a rumbustious It Takes a Woman, while her singing is extremely well shaped.
Sarah Buckley is predictably superb as Irene Molloy, spunkier than has become the fashion, and Phill [Probert] an un-childish 33-year-old Cornelius as love awakens in him, their 'Elegance' routine with Emily McAvoy's Minnie and Martin Scattergood's Barnaby being a standout highlight.
THE highlight is undoubtedly the staging of the title song, which is stunningly done: loved the bit when Dolly sings 'Hello, Louis' to the waiter on her left who then gets out a white handkerchief to mop his brow!
The Waiters' Gallop and Parade scene should have slight dress rehearsal untidiness ironed out by the time the show goes public when the waiters' shoes might also have uniformity.*
Anna Wright directs an acoustic orchestra with appetite."
Bernard Lee
The Sheffield Telegraph November 19 2009.
[Editor: * All sorted for the first night]