Lets reset, a production assistants voice suddenly booms over the pubic address system.
Yes, Im humming along as I write out the song lyrics.
Imelda Staunton does the lot!
Imelda Staunton in ‘Hello, Dolly!‘Manuel Harlan
Shes the definition of a leading artist, he declares.
You dont miss shows.
You dont go off sick, he intones.
(L-R) Michael Lin, Tyrone Huntley, Emily Langham, Harry Hepple and Imelda StauntonManuel Harlan
You deliver eight times a week.
Harrison proclaims that Staunton should be sent around every drama school in the country.
And its very, very easy for people to go off now.
This is a very, very good company, Harrison says proudly.
Later, during a break, Cooke, her director, echoes Harrisons point.
Shes very old school like that.
And its not that there arent great covers within a company, but you want to see the show.
And very often you dont because theres so many people going off.
And Imeldas old school shell turn up every night and deliver.
And I think she sort of expects others should do the same thing.
I know she expects people to turn up if they can, he adds.
The casts limbering up to run through more scenes.
Staunton peers out into the distance.
Laughing, Harrison warns a reporter, Oh, she can see you.
He adds, I told her you were visiting and she said Okay, thats good.
Would you like me to have a big tantrum in front of him?
I think she liked the idea of a scandalous headline.
You know what shes like when her heads in a show, Harrison explains.
Thats why the ladys a star.
Her Mimi fizzed with the vitality of a crowded Times Square on a sunny Sunday afternoon.
Oh, yes, she fell in love with the shows Big Jule.
Back then he was played by a James Carter.
He would later become better known after altering his Christian name to Jim.
Staunton and Jim Carter (Downton Abbey) have been married for over four decades.
Thats what Staunton has worked for, Cooke says.
And she can do everything because she can sing, he says.
She can tap, too!
Shes been Dorothy inThe Wizard of Ozand shes played Lady Macbeth in the Scottish play.
Its not just her talent, Cooke stressed.
His thoughts are momentarily interrupted when he announces an uninvited guest.
Theres a mouse running across the very nice carpet, he says, pointing out the little critter.
Probably wants to audition, he adds nonchalantly.
She works so hard, Cooke says as he waves goodbye to little Mickey Mouse.
So between each rehearsal, shes sort of coming up with brilliant ideas.
And she reminds me a bit of Anthony Sher, because I worked with him.
They come in with a set of offers; its just ideas, imagination, skill, humor.
And shes just got a brilliant work ethic.
She takes it very seriously.
But she doesnt take herself seriously, he says.
Either it works or it doesnt.
It has to be bang on.
Its like the music itself.
Its very, very precise.
Shaking his head he says, I dunno why.
Its taste, isnt it?
German theater doesnt do comedy, he argues.
So if everyone laughs at the same time, they feel uncomfortable with it.
It opened at the Edinburgh Festival, the West End, followed by Broadway.
David Merrick, Gower Champion with Herman and Stewart adapted it intoHello, Dolly!
The rest we know.
Staunton was lucky enough to have visited with Herman before he died in December 2019.
And he agreed to some songs being switched around.
Hes coming over for the first night, hes keen to see what weve done says Cooke.
Jerry Herman and Michael Stewart paid very, very close attention to what Thornton Wilder wrote.
All the song titles are from Wilder.
Its a bit likeMy Fair LadyandPygmalion.
Theres a close relationship, Cooke adds.
And Hermans score has an immense sense of joy, he says.
Its really infectious and its because theres a lot of Wilders work is in it.
And its sort of not sentimental.
We did think that they might bring it here, Cooke says.
Nor will there be a filmed version for NT Live.
Theres a rights issue about filming it.
There are rights connected to the movie all over the place.
It would take years to untangle.
Youve got to see it here, says Harrison.
And its fantastic to see Imelda return.
And it was made for musical comedy.
And Stanton was made forHello, Dolly!at the London Palladium.
