Hello, Dolly! Tickets

Well, well Hello, Dolly! It’s so nice to have you back where you belong in the West End. Meet Dolly Gallagher Levi, a meddling matchmaker living in New York City. As she travels to Yonkers, New York, she’s asked to find Horace Vandergelder a wife, but Dolly quickly realises who’d be the perfect match - herself! Over the years, famous actresses have donned the sparkly red dress to play Dolly Levi: Carol Channing, Barbra Streisand, Samantha Spiro, Bette Midler and Bernadette Peters. Now, it’s the turn of Imelda Staunton to lead the Hello, Dolly! London cast as Dolly Gallagher Levi. 

With a big brassy Broadway sound echoing around the London Palladium walls, it’s only right to discover all the Hello, Dolly! songs in the Jerry Herman musical. So get reading before the parade passes by…

The most famous Hello, Dolly! musical songs

Thanks to numerous West End revivals and a 1969 film, lots of the Hello, Dolly! Songs transcend musical theatre. Disney WALL-E fans may even recognise "Put On Your Sunday Clothes" from the film; it’s in the musical too. Hello, Dolly! Balances the tender, heartfelt moments in glossy musicals with the showstopping, shimmering music that’ll have you humming as you walk outside the theatre.

Hello, Dolly! Act One songs  

Call On Dolly/I Put My Hand In

The Hello, Dolly! Musical needs a commanding Dolly Gallagher Levi. And she’s here from the very beginning. At the turn of the 20th century, New York City locals are excited for the leading matchmaker to be in town. Although Dolly’s a matchmaker, she’s a jack of all trades. Dance teacher, mandolin lessons, furniture arranger or flowerpicker, Dolly can move everything along. By the end of “I Put My Hand In”, you’ll wish you had a friend like Dolly Levi.

It Takes a Woman

Dolly’s newest job is to find a wife for Mr Horace Vandergelder. Usually, she’s a swift matchmaker for other people, but when dealing with the “well-known unmarried half-a-millionaire”, Dolly wants Horace for herself. Meanwhile, Horace reflects on the concept of marriage and that he’ll get married so he’s got a woman to do all the household chores. Charming!

Put On Your Sunday Clothes

Horace finds a potential suitor pretty quickly; Irene Molloy, a widow who owns a hat shop. But when Dolly arrives, she stirs up “accidental” discussions that Irene’s husband may not be dead, leaving Horace no choice but to head to New York City. Horace’s two assistants, Cornelius and Barnaby, are left to run the hat shop in Yonkers, but they dream of the big bright lights and the city that never sleeps. Seize the day with the Hello, Dolly! Company as they dress up with feathers, leathers, beads, buckles and bows.

Ribbons Down My Back

Irene Molloy reflects on her new life as a widow. Sure, she owns a hat shop, but as the wind catches her hat, she realises life will never move the same. Can she catch a new love’s attention and feel the fluttering moments like “blue and green ribbons streaming in the yellow sky?”

Motherhood

Cornelius and Barnaby pretend to be wealthy gentlemen in the hat shop, but are quickly forced to hide when Horace and Dolly enter. So imagine their faces when they’re discovered hiding in a wardrobe after Cornelius’ double life of clerk-cum-playboy is revealed in the store! Thankfully, Horace doesn’t see, so the women distract him with a patriotic chat about Betsy Ross and The Battle of the Alamo - what would the patriotic conversations be in 2024?

Dancing

Dolly Levi arranges for Cornelius and Barnaby to take Irene and Minnie to Harmonia Gardens for two reasons: embarrassing them in the store, and for preparation to woo a woman. But that’s not all Dolly can do. Remember, she’s a meddler, and those dance lessons come in handy. By the end of “Dancing”, our loved-up quartet waltz around the room. Can Dolly find her waltzing partner?

Before the Parade Passes By

Ahead of the Act One closer, we learn Dolly Levi’s a widow too. What would her late husband, Ephraim, have to say about her new life? As “Before the Parade Passes By” kicks into cakewalking gear, Dolly decides to live her life to the fullest and always be a part of the parade without letting it float past her. You’ll be on your feet cheering for Dolly by the end of this Jerry Herman classic.

Almost exactly four years after it was supposed to open at the Adelphi Theatre, Hello, Dolly! Finally had its highly-anticipated opening night yesterday. But did critics think it was worth the wait?

First look production shots of Hello, Dolly! have been released, and we think we’re in love. “It Only Takes A Moment" to look at our gallery below, so why not make a date to peruse the pictures now. (Don’t worry about your boss finding out, we’ll keep it under our Dolly inspired hat).

If the sunburnt arms and cacophony of hayfever filled sneezes didn’t already give it away, summer has officially landed in the capital!

Want to escape the pounding sun and luxuriate in an air conditioned auditorium stocked with mini tubs of ice cream, refreshing chilled fizz, and this summer's coolest shows? Then you’re in luck, as Theatreland is set to welcome a host of brand new productions for the summer. Whether you’re looking for a classic American musical or a brand new show from Down Under, you don't need to hop on a plane this July, the West End has something for everyone.

Hello, Dolly! (6 July) | Save up to 53%

London finally gets to say ‘hello!’ to Imelda Staunton’s Dolly! The latest adaptation, which reunites acclaimed theatre director Dominic Cooke and Saunton, was first announced five years ago, but something happened in 2020, and then Saunton made this little television series about the royal family, which pushed our date with the matchmaker back. Now the time is finally here, so it’s time to Put on Your Best Sunday Clothes and get ready to fall in love with Dolly! 

First produced in 1963, Hello, Dolly! Follows 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…

The Baker’s Wife (6 July)

Fresh from his critically acclaimed role as Eddie in Sister Act, Clive Rowe has swapped handcuffs for a handheld whisk in The Baker’s Wife. He is joined by Welsh Wonder Lucie Jones, who recently starred in the anniversary concert of Pippin following her stunning reprise of Fantine in Les Misérables, as the aforementioned wife. 

The cult classic musical from the legendary composer Stephen Schwartz (Wicked, Pippin, Godspell…) is based on the 1930s French film, La Femme du Boulanger. A heartbroken baker refuses to carry on with his work when his young wife runs off with a handsome shepherd. The village, hungry for the couple to get back together, quickly turn ravenous. Can they return the baker's wife back to the confectioner, and regain their daily bread? 

FANGIRLS (13 July)

Forget the Eras Tour, there’s only one concert we want to go to this summer! After multiple sell-out runs across Australia, including the Sydney Opera House, this brand new production of the multi-award winning, pop musical phenomenon FANGIRLS is finally making it’s UK transfer. 

An unmissable show that pulses with the soaring adrenaline of a first crush and feels like the best pop concert you’ve never been to. FANGIRLS follows 14 year old Edna as she prepares to meet the love of her life, world famous pop star Harry. 

Don’t be fooled into thinking this is just a story about loving a boy band. FANGIRLS is a thrilling and subversive musical comedy about the danger of underestimating teenage girls. 

Shrek the Musical (19 July) | Save up to 52%

Summer just got shrektacular as everyone's favourite ogre returns to the capital! Based on the hit animated film, join the titular swamp dwelling Scott as he teams up with an eclectic cast of fairytale characters, including a talking Donkey, to rescue a princess from a dragon and defeat the evil Lord Farquaad.

The musical premiered on Broadway in 2008, earning eight Tony Award nominations and winning for Best Costume Design. The 2012 London transfer was just as successful receiving four Olivier Award nominations, including Best New Musical. Fresh from their UK tour, the latest adaptation starring Anthony Lawrence, Todrick Hall and Joanne Clifton will be pitching up at the Eventim Apollo for six weeks only. Last one there buys the gumdrop buttons!

The Grade II listed theatre, the London Palladium, is the epitome of showbiz glamour and decadence. Opening in 1910, the theatre has a rich history, specialising in star-studded pantomimes and celebratory concerts. The theatre is especially linked to the Royal Variety Performances, with the venue hosting every televised show. In the 50s and 60s, the theatre was home to Sunday Night at the London Palladium (well, it would be odd if it wasn’t, wouldn’t it?) So, you’ve probably already enjoyed a performance or two, even if you’ve never stepped foot inside the building. But where are the best places to sit when you go to the iconic theatre in real life? We’ve taken a detailed look at the London Palladium seating plan to give you the best seating options and information!

What are the best seats at the London Palladium?

Each section in the theatre feels expensive, with long rows of plush read seats and high ceilings. Thanks to the incredibly wide stage (one of the biggest in the West End), you never feel far away from the action, whether you are sitting in the Stalls, the Royal Circle or the Upper Circle.

Stalls

Located on the ground floor of the theatre, the Stalls are the closest seating options to the stage. The area is divided into three sections by two central aisles, meaning there aren’t any bottlenecks when you’re trying to leave the theatre! The rows fan out away from the stage, getting wider towards the rear of the section. Each row follows the curve of the stage, meaning that seats towards the end of each row look across at the stage rather than directly at it.

Royal Circle

The Royal Circle is the first level above the Stalls and offers some excellent views. Similar to the Stalls, this area is divided into three equal blocks, with those towards the ends of each row following the curve of the balcony. The elevation of this section means you are eye level with the performers, which offers great connection to the characters. Legroom and comfort are also very good, partly due to the central aisles which make the section feel more spacious. 

Upper Circle

One level up from the Royal Circle, the Upper Circle is located on the third level of the Palladium. Larger than the Royal Circle, The section is also divided into three blocks of seats. The section is well-raked, meaning views over the audience ahead are clear. Even the final rows in this section provide excellent views of the stage.

The London Palladium seating plan

Say ‘Hello!’ to the complete cast of Dominic Cooke’s newest musical!

Following their spectacular, critically acclaimed production of Stephen Sondheim’s Follies at the National Theatre, the latest adaptation of Hello, Dolly! reunites the multi award-winning director with stage and screen icon Imelda Staunton. But who will be joining them?

Hello, London! Following 2017’s groundbreaking Broadway revival of Hello, Dolly! at the Shubert Theatre, which starred the legendary Bette Midler and took home four shiny new Tony Awards,  and the Adelphi Theatre August 2020 revival, Imelda Staunton is set to take the lead role in the London revival of Hello, Dolly! at the London Palladium, running from July 6 to September 14, 2024.

Under the direction of Dominic Cooke, Staunton will reprise her role as Dolly Levi, a part she initially committed to in 2019. The show's original summer 2020 opening was delayed due to the COVID-19 pandemic and scheduling conflicts caused by Staunton's work on Netflix's The Crown. Subscribe to stay updated on information about Hello, Dolly! London tickets.

The Off-West End venue has revealed their plans for staging socially distanced productions this autumn, including shows starring Hello, Dolly!'s Imelda Staunton.

It has just been announced that the new revival of Hello, Dolly! starring Imelda Staunton (Harry Potter and Order of the Phoenix, Freedom Writers) has been postponed. The highly anticipated production was due to open at London's Adelphi Theatre on 11 August 2020 for previews. The new Hello, Dolly! dates will be announced as soon as they have been confirmed.