Imelda Staunton is back where she belongs – Hello, Dolly! at the Adelphi Theatre in 2020

Michael Harrison and David Ian have announced that Imelda Staunton is back where she belongs in Hello, Dolly! as one of the most iconic musicals of all time comes to the Adelphi Theatre in 2020. This brand new production reunites Staunton with director Dominic Cooke, following the critically-acclaimed production of Follies at the National Theatre. Jenna Russell has also been cast as Irene Molloy.

With an unforgettable score by the legendary Jerry Herman, Hello, Dolly! will begin performances at the Adelphi Theatre in London on 11 August 2020 for a strictly limited 30-week season (press night is 27 August).

Multi Olivier and BAFTA Award winning Staunton plays meddlesome socialite turned matchmaker Dolly Levi, as she travels to Yonkers, New York to find a match for the miserly, unmarried ‘half-a-millionaire’ Horace Vandergelder. But everything changes when she decides that the next match she needs to make is for herself.

With music and lyrics by Jerry Herman (La Cage aux Folles, Mack and Mabel, Mame) and book by Michael Stewart (42nd Street, Mack and Mabel, Barnum), Hello, Dolly! is one of the most iconic musicals of all time. Herman’s timeless score includes ‘Put On Your Sunday Clothes’, ‘Ribbons Down My Back’, ‘Before the Parade Passes By’, ‘Elegance’, ‘It Only Takes a Moment’ and of course, ‘Hello, Dolly!’.

Hello, Dolly! also reunites Staunton with producers Michael Harrison and David Ian. Their production of Gypsy at the Savoy Theatre was awarded the Olivier Award for Best Musical Revival, and for which Staunton also won the Olivier Award for Best Actress In A Musical for her acclaimed portrayal of Momma Rose.

Staunton commented: “Well, I’m delighted and daunted in equal measure to be doing a new production of Hello, Dolly! in London next year. I am so excited to be working again with Dominic Cooke, Michael Harrison and David Ian, and we all can’t wait to bring Hello, Dolly! – which is a truly joyous show – back to the West End after all these years.”

Further casting for the production will be announced at a later date.