Imelda Staunton: "The Crown was sad but Hello, Dolly! is joyful and funny"
It’s a big change of pace for The Crown actor.
As The Crown rakes in nominations for this year’s BAFTA TV awards, lead actress Imelda Staunton has reflected on her time in the show, while also teasing her upcoming run at the West End this summer.
Ahead of playing the title role in a new production of Hello, Dolly! Staunton admitted that it was "comforting and weird" to be stepping back on stage.
"Doing The Crown was very serious and challenging, and really quite sad, and now I’m embracing something joyful and funny," she said.
She also reflected on how long it had been since taking on a more comedic role, explaining: "I said to myself ‘Imelda, when was the last time you did something funny?’ and I’m just loving it."
At a press event with the show’s director Dominic Cooke, the pair spoke about how "iconic" the Jerry Herman show really is.
"There’s something universal about it," said Cooke, "it’s about deciding to go back into life again after a period of sadness".
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Staunton added: "To have this iconic building, with an iconic show, seems a perfect match."
Hello, Dolly! First hit the stage on Broadway in 1964 and soon after became known for the 1969 movie starring Barbra Streisand.
It follows the story of Dolly Levi, a widowed socialite turned matchmaker who is hired to marry off half-millionaire Horace Vandergelder, only to decide that the next match she makes will be herself.
Returning to the London Palladium this July, Cooke’s show has a 40-strong cast that includes Andy Nyman as Horace Vandergelder, Jenna Russell as Irene Molloy, Tyrone Huntley as Barnaby Tucker and Harry Hepple as Cornelius Hackl.
When can I see Hello, Dolly at the West End?
Hello, Dolly will be running at The London Palladium for a limited 10 week run from Saturday 6th July to Saturday 14th September 2024.
Tickets are already on sale at LW Theatres and TodayTix from £20.
Check out our full guide for how to get Hello, Dolly! tickets for more.
For more theatre magic, here's the best West End shows, best kids theatre shows and our review of For Black Boys.
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