Balerno Theatre Company say Hello Dolly

AFTER months twirling their parasols and dancing with brooms, Balerno Theatre Company (BTC) take to the streets of 1890s New York next week, in the classic musical Hello, Dolly!, at the Church Hill Theatre.

Director Sheryn Ali says, “This is a fantastic show for us to be taking on. It is filled with comedy moments and wonderful show-stopping numbers, such as Before The Parade Passes By, Put On Your Sunday Clothes and of course, the title song.

“It also has a fantastically varied cast of characters; from the prim and proper widow, Miss Molly, to the comedy partnership of excitable young feed store workers, Cornelius and Barnaby, and their stubborn and mean boss Mr Vandergelder.

“Then there’s Mrs Dolly Levi, one of the best known musical characters of all time. With a large chorus Hello Dolly! just seemed the perfect choice for us.”

A romantic tale, BTC field a 48-strong cast, aged from eight to 60.

Debbie Spurgeon, who performs alongside her daughter Marcie (Minnie Fay), is a check-out operator and mother of four by day but transforms into the meddling match-maker Dolly Levi in the evening.

She says, “It’s a dream come true to play this part. I was in a performance of Hello Dolly! 15 years ago and always hoped I would one day have the chance to play Dolly, herself. I can’t wait to get on stage.”

Hamish McCool, a Doctor in his real life plays the mean-spirited feed store owner, Horace Vandergelder, he adds, “After watching my wife in last year’s pantomime, I decided it was time I got my share of the limelight, although I am slightly nervous. Having recently graduated in journalism, Anne Mackie plays Mrs Irene Molloy, the hat shop owner. She says, “This is my first principal role in a good few years, and I couldn’t have asked for a better company.”

Hello Dolly!, Church Hill Theatre, Morningside Road, Wednesday-Saturday, 7.30pm (2pm), £12, www.balernotheatre.co.uk