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Wow, Wow, Wow – Hello, Dolly! Was a Huge Success!
Dear Friends,
After a slightly quieter week following the close of our production of Hello, Dolly!, I wanted to take a moment to reflect and share just how much of a triumph the show truly was.
Hello, Dolly! has long been one of my favourite musicals, and our journey with this production began back in 2023 when we first applied for the performing rights. After some discussions with the rights holders, we were asked to defer by a year and perform it in 2025. As is often the case, what seemed like a setback turned into a blessing—I’m so pleased it was delayed, and even more so that it became our final musical. What a way to bow out!
Having seen the Palladium production not once, but twice, I had big ideas for our small society. From the very beginning, the team embraced my vision—huge staircases, video projections, electronic winches—the lot. I’m incredibly grateful to the set team who never said “no” and worked tirelessly to make these ideas reality. We’re so lucky to have our own theatre, but it would mean nothing without the dedicated team behind the scenes. My heartfelt thanks go to Cookie and Rob for bringing the images in my head to life, for putting up with me week after week, and for smiling (most of the time!) even when the Harmonia Gardens staircase had to be taken apart and rebuilt—more than once.
Technically, this was the most ambitious production we’ve ever undertaken. Massive thanks go to “the Two Andys”—Andy Hill and Andy Rhymes. Andy Hill, a Pickering lad who began with me in the lighting box years ago, not only loaned us additional stage lighting but also supplied and operated the video screen—taking a week off work to do so. Andy Rhymes, a familiar face at the theatre, provided essential technical support and also gave up a week of his time, unpaid, to run the show’s lighting and sound. Alongside them, our incredible in-house team—Laura Cook, Caroline Brown, and Michelle Long—worked seamlessly with our visiting techs and made them feel so welcome that they’re even talking about returning!
Costumes were another highlight. Maureen and Fiona in wardrobe outdid themselves with stunning, vibrant period outfits that truly popped on stage. The hours of sewing (and curtain-making—sorry Fiona!) really paid off. Backstage, Aimee and her team of eight worked like clockwork every night to manage scenery, props, and make sure everything behind the scenes ran without a hitch.
It’s impossible to name every individual who helped, but alongside our brilliant cast, dancers, and musicians, there were 109 volunteers involved in bringing Hello, Dolly! to life. From front-of-house staff to backstage crew, every single one of them was part of something truly special.
And what can I say about the performances? Simply fantastic. I told the cast at our final dress rehearsal that all I wanted was for audiences to leave saying, “It’s a shame they’re stopping”—not, “It’s about time.” They delivered. They honoured our proud legacy of over 106 years of musicals in Pickering. Everyone gave 100% and brought such incredible energy to the stage.
While I don’t want to single out too many people, I do want to say a special thank you to Rachel Anderson. She brought Dolly to life with warmth, humour, and heart. As a director, I couldn’t have asked for more. She’s dedicated, driven, and her own toughest critic—and she made us all proud.
As Theatre Manager, Director, and general jack-of-all-trades, this production was more than just a show—it was a celebration. A celebration of Pickering Musical Society, its members past and present, and our wonderful Kirk Theatre. For the first time in 15 years, I wasn’t worried about making a profit—I just wanted to honour our musical legacy in the best way possible.
That said, finances are always at the front of my mind. We are entirely self-funded, with no external support. Hello, Dolly! cost over £25,000 to produce. Even with every ticket sold, we couldn’t quite break even. Just a week before opening night, we were only at 50% capacity. But then you came through—four sell-out performances, with 1,040 of 1,122 available tickets sold.
Your generosity didn’t stop there. Your support through raffle tickets, programme sales, and refreshments meant the world. In the end, Hello, Dolly! did make a very small profit—but the real success was the love and enthusiasm you showed us throughout.
And so, while this marks the end of our journey with full-scale musicals, it’s far from the end for us. On Monday, we began rehearsals for My Favourite Things, our next concert production, directed by the brilliant Courtney Brown. Courtney worked alongside me on Wonders of the West End last year, and I’m really looking forward to seeing her vision take shape from the audience this time around. Tickets are already on sale—and following Dolly’s success, they’re selling fast!
Once again, thank you—from the bottom of my heart—for being part of this unforgettable experience. We couldn’t have done it without you.
With warmest wishes,
Luke Arnold
Theatre Manager & Director
Pickering Musical Society
