Imelda Staunton to lead cast of Dominic Cooke's Hello, Dolly!

Imelda Staunton is to lead the cast of Hello, Dolly! next year, in a production that reunites her with director Dominic Cooke.

Staunton, who appeared in Cooke’s revival of Stephen Sondheim’s Follies in 2017, will play matchmaker and socialite Dolly Levi in next year’s production at the London Palladium.

The show was previously scheduled to run at the Adelphi Theatre in the West End in 2020, but was postponed because of the pandemic. 

Opening on July 6, 2024, Hello, Dolly! will also star Andy Nyman, Jenna Russell, Tyrone Huntley and Harry Hepple, in a limited 10-week run. Press night is July 16 next year.

Further casting for the show, which features music and lyrics by Jerry Herman, is yet to be announced.

Produced by Michael Harrison, Gavin Kalin, Jonathan Church Theatre Productions and Crossroads Live, the production incorporates a book by Michael Stewart, set and costume design by Rae Smith, choreography by Bill Deamer, lighting by Jon Clark, sound by Paul Groothuis, video by Finn Ross and musical supervision by Nick Skilbeck.

Staunton said: “I’m delighted that we are announcing our new production of Hello, Dolly!, which is a truly joyous show. I am also thrilled to be working again with Dominic Cooke and Michael Harrison. Dolly Levi is one of the great characters in musical theatre, and I can’t wait to join the company in bringing our new production to the iconic London Palladium.”