@AmyG and I have tickets to see
Follies in London this October. Are you planning to see the production? Do you
wish you could see the production? Do you just want talk about the production? Have at it!
(God, it's nice to be able to use italics again!)
Quote from: Chris L on Jun 20, 2017, 09:55 AM@AmyG and I have tickets to see Follies in London this October. Are you planning to see the discussion? Do you wish you could see the production? Do you just want talk about the production? Have at it!
(God, it's nice to be able to use italics again!)
Yes, yes and yes.
Remind me of your schedule. We're seeing it on 9 September, we go away 24 September until 9 October so hopefully there'll be some time for a get-together.
@Gordonb - We'll be back in London from October 15 through October 19, though we'll be busy getting out of town and back to LA on the last day. Maybe we could schedule lunch or dinner somewhere in there. (I can't find the exact date for Follies on our calendar, but I'm sure Amy knows it.)
Our Follies tickets are for October 16. And
@Chris L, I just added it to our Google calendar.
Quote from: AmyG on Jun 20, 2017, 11:07 AMOur Follies tickets are for October 16. And @Chris L, I just added it to our Google calendar.
Thanks, hon!
We're down for An American in Paris for our anniversary on the 7th so it would have been great to stay on and meet Gordon but we're involved with a charity performance on the 9th alas. I'll work on the notion of a return trip the next weekend if at all possible... 😀
Quote from: Chris L on Jun 20, 2017, 09:55 AM@AmyG and I have tickets to see Follies in London this October. Are you planning to see the discussion? Do you wish you could see the production? Do you just want talk about the production? Have at it!
When you say "see the discussion", do you mean the pre-show/Platform discussion at the NT? I must look up when that is - they are usually rather good. I'm going to be at the same performance as
@Gordonb - can't wait!
We have tickets for Nov 3rd. Really excited about this one!
Quote from: Vera Charles on Jun 20, 2017, 12:47 PMQuote from: Chris L on Jun 20, 2017, 09:55 AM@AmyG and I have tickets to see Follies in London this October. Are you planning to see the discussion? Do you wish you could see the production? Do you just want talk about the production? Have at it!
When you say "see the discussion", do you mean the pre-show/Platform discussion at the NT? I must look up when that is - they are usually rather good. I'm going to be at the same performance as @Gordonb - can't wait!
Actually, I meant "production." (I'm multitasking heavily. ;) ) But the pre-show discussion sounds interesting. We'll check that out.
Quote from: AmyG on Jun 20, 2017, 11:07 AMOur Follies tickets are for October 16. And @Chris L, I just added it to our Google calendar.
@AmyG ,
@Chris L ,
@Vera Charles et al ... that's a Monday evening show right? Why don't we tentatively do something on the day before, the Sunday, that's if you are in London then? Lunch at our house?
I don't have tickets for Follies, but always happy for an excuse to come up to town, so will definitely be around on one of those evenings, if there is a small gathering which I can crash...?
Quote from: Gordonb on Jun 20, 2017, 01:47 PMQuote from: AmyG on Jun 20, 2017, 11:07 AMOur Follies tickets are for October 16. And @Chris L, I just added it to our Google calendar.
@AmyG , @Chris L , @Vera Charles et al ... that's a Monday evening show right? Why don't we tentatively do something on the day before, the Sunday, that's if you are in London then? Lunch at our house?
That's the day we get back to London and I'm not sure what time we'll be arriving, but if it can be worked out that would be great! (I've heard that food at your house is excellent.)
Quote from: Chris L on Jun 20, 2017, 02:21 PMQuote from: Gordonb on Jun 20, 2017, 01:47 PMQuote from: AmyG on Jun 20, 2017, 11:07 AMOur Follies tickets are for October 16. And @Chris L, I just added it to our Google calendar.
@AmyG , @Chris L , @Vera Charles et al ... that's a Monday evening show right? Why don't we tentatively do something on the day before, the Sunday, that's if you are in London then? Lunch at our house?
That's the day we get back to London and I'm not sure what time we'll be arriving, but if it can be worked out that would be great! (I've heard that food at your house is excellent.)
Hmmm. I'm supposed to be at one rehearsal in Weston-super-Mare and simultaneously at a rehearsal in Cambridge on the 15th of October. Maybe I should ditch both for London? (Which, sadly, would probably be more than my life is worth.)
Quote from: Vera Charles on Jun 20, 2017, 02:29 PMQuote from: Chris L on Jun 20, 2017, 02:21 PMQuote from: Gordonb on Jun 20, 2017, 01:47 PMQuote from: AmyG on Jun 20, 2017, 11:07 AMOur Follies tickets are for October 16. And @Chris L, I just added it to our Google calendar.
@AmyG , @Chris L , @Vera Charles et al ... that's a Monday evening show right? Why don't we tentatively do something on the day before, the Sunday, that's if you are in London then? Lunch at our house?
That's the day we get back to London and I'm not sure what time we'll be arriving, but if it can be worked out that would be great! (I've heard that food at your house is excellent.)
Hmmm. I'm supposed to be at one rehearsal in Weston-super-Mare and simultaneously at a rehearsal in Cambridge on the 15th of October. Maybe I should ditch both for London? (Which, sadly, would probably be more than my life is worth.)
Well London would be pretty much in the middle of both, so it would be fairer... (And we could lift-share... 😉)
I am hoping to see it (may just wait to see if it is on NT Live ... ) but would definitely be up for some sort of meet up :)
We really hope we can get together with all of you guys -- you guys within reasonably easy reach of London, I mean -- and hope we can work something out. Whether we can do so Sunday (which would seem to be the ideal day) depends on when we get into town. I'll have to check on that.
Greetings All,
I have tickets for September 21 if anyone is around and would like to have dinner or drinks.
Looking forward!!
Quote from: Chris L on Jun 20, 2017, 02:21 PMQuote from: Gordonb on Jun 20, 2017, 01:47 PMQuote from: AmyG on Jun 20, 2017, 11:07 AMOur Follies tickets are for October 16. And @Chris L, I just added it to our Google calendar.
@AmyG , @Chris L , @Vera Charles et al ... that's a Monday evening show right? Why don't we tentatively do something on the day before, the Sunday, that's if you are in London then? Lunch at our house?
That's the day we get back to London and I'm not sure what time we'll be arriving, but if it can be worked out that would be great! (I've heard that food at your house is excellent.)
The evening of the 15th would be doable. We will probably get into London in the afternoon but then will want to check in to our flat. We are staying in Waterloo.
Quote from: AmyG on Jun 21, 2017, 10:48 AMQuote from: Chris L on Jun 20, 2017, 02:21 PMQuote from: Gordonb on Jun 20, 2017, 01:47 PMQuote from: AmyG on Jun 20, 2017, 11:07 AMOur Follies tickets are for October 16. And @Chris L, I just added it to our Google calendar.
@AmyG , @Chris L , @Vera Charles et al ... that's a Monday evening show right? Why don't we tentatively do something on the day before, the Sunday, that's if you are in London then? Lunch at our house?
That's the day we get back to London and I'm not sure what time we'll be arriving, but if it can be worked out that would be great! (I've heard that food at your house is excellent.)
The evening of the 15th would be doable. We will probably get into London in the afternoon but then will want to check in to our flat. We are staying in Waterloo.
So we could do dinner,
@Gordonb. Would that be feasible?
Dinner is certainly feasible
@AmyG,
@Chris L . That day's chef may impact on the excellence (or not) of the food!
My only caveat is that if you are coming back to London on a long-distance/cross-country train on a Sunday, be prepared for significant delays to your journey time as that is when they carry our track repairs and such-like (Sunday being deemed a quiet day for travelling). Having said that, Waterloo (East) is only a 15 minutes or so train ride to Blackheath, my local station. Whereabouts in Waterloo are you staying?
I am not so sure that non-London people will be quite so keen to come up to town in the evening, but let's brainstorm possibilites
@Gsavage14 @Vera Charles @Leighton.
We are taking the train from Edinburgh but nothing is set in stone. Maybe we should come the day before. Then we could do lunch on Sunday. I would just need to see if we can get another day at our Airbnb or do a one night hotel stay.
Or we could fly. The reason why I didn't want to fly is I kind of though dealing with airports and transportation to and from would be a hassle while the train is relaxing and scenic even if it's a longer time commitment.
I actually love driving but I simply cannot drive on the left side of the road. I'm dyslexic enough without having to tackle that.
We are staying 2 blocks from the Lambeth North Station on Pearman St.
We are thrilled to meet you. I'm sure whatever we have will be great. It would be great to see others too if they can make it but I know that can be difficult, particularly in Leighton's case. Maybe we'll get to Reading. We haven't nailed down all the details yet.
Reading is close enough to London that I might be able to do a Sunday evening (or any evening really). It might depend on my Monday teaching timetable for next year, which I won't know for another few weeks. If my day is light I can probably take a late train out of London fairly comfortably.
It would be great to find a way to get together, it's years since I've had the chance to see fellow Sondheads!
Turning to the production itself, the programme for the second half of 2017 announces "Follies"; I quote:
"Tracie Bennett, Janie Dee and Imelda Staunton play the magnificent Follies in this dazzling new production..."
This statement is just wrong; they don't "play the Follies", nor are there only 3 Follies "girls". Maybe I am being too picky but I tend to expect more from the National Theatre.
I must have missed earlier that Josephine Barstow is playing Heidi Schiller.
Quote from: Gordonb on Jun 25, 2017, 05:22 AMTurning to the production itself, the programme for the second half of 2017 announces "Follies"; I quote:
"Tracie Bennett, Janie Dee and Imelda Staunton play the magnificent Follies in this dazzling new production..."
This statement is just wrong; they don't "play the Follies", nor are there only 3 Follies "girls". Maybe I am being too picky but I tend to expect more from the National Theatre.
I must have missed earlier that Josephine Barstow is playing Heidi Schiller.
They probably have an intern write this stuff. And eventually, it will be written by AI, which could be an improvement.
I can't get another night at our Airbnb so I think we will stick with our plan to get into London on the 15th. So dinner would be great.
Quote from: Gordonb on Jun 25, 2017, 05:22 AMTurning to the production itself, the programme for the second half of 2017 announces "Follies"; I quote:
"Tracie Bennett, Janie Dee and Imelda Staunton play the magnificent Follies in this dazzling new production..."
This statement is just wrong; they don't "play the Follies", nor are there only 3 Follies "girls". Maybe I am being too picky but I tend to expect more from the National Theatre.
I must have missed earlier that Josephine Barstow is playing Heidi Schiller.
There is so much of this post that I totes adore. :-* :-* :-*
Quote from: Bobster on Jun 26, 2017, 06:39 AMQuote from: Gordonb on Jun 25, 2017, 05:22 AMTurning to the production itself, the programme for the second half of 2017 announces "Follies"; I quote:
"Tracie Bennett, Janie Dee and Imelda Staunton play the magnificent Follies in this dazzling new production..."
This statement is just wrong; they don't "play the Follies", nor are there only 3 Follies "girls". Maybe I am being too picky but I tend to expect more from the National Theatre.
I must have missed earlier that Josephine Barstow is playing Heidi Schiller.
There is so much of this post that I totes adore. :-* :-* :-*
So why aren't you jumping on a plane ...? :-* :-*
Quote from: Gordonb on Jun 26, 2017, 06:46 AMQuote from: Bobster on Jun 26, 2017, 06:39 AMThere is so much of this post that I totes adore. :-* :-* :-*
So why aren't you jumping on a plane ...? :-* :-*
I second this question. Come on
@Bobster, come over and join us.
Quote from: Gordonb on Jun 25, 2017, 05:22 AM"Tracie Bennett, Janie Dee and Imelda Staunton play the magnificent Follies in this dazzling new production..."
This statement is just wrong; they don't "play the Follies", nor are there only 3 Follies "girls".
I've mentioned the show to various (non-theatre) people over the years and had the response "Oh yes I remember the 70s TV show..." Erm, no you don't - that was Rock Follies with Julie Covington, Rula Lenska and Charlotte Cornwell. Maybe this is where the ill-informed NT prog compiler has gone awry? 😄
Quote from: MartinGorst on Jun 26, 2017, 11:18 AMI've mentioned the show to various (non-theatre) people over the years and had the response "Oh yes I remember the 70s TV show..." Erm, no you don't - that was Rock Follies with Julie Covington, Rula Lenska and Charlotte Cornwell. Maybe this is where the ill-informed NT prog compiler has gone awry? 😄
Oh, so Rula Lenska actually had a real career? Most of us in the states only know her from this ad (https://youtu.be/5-SJoIpTPk8). In fact, "I'm Rula Lenska" was a bit of a catch phrase among me and my friends.
Quote from: AmyG on Jun 26, 2017, 11:46 AMQuote from: MartinGorst on Jun 26, 2017, 11:18 AMI've mentioned the show to various (non-theatre) people over the years and had the response "Oh yes I remember the 70s TV show..." Erm, no you don't - that was Rock Follies with Julie Covington, Rula Lenska and Charlotte Cornwell. Maybe this is where the ill-informed NT prog compiler has gone awry? 😄
Oh, so Rula Lenska actually had a real career? Most of us in the states only know her from this ad (https://youtu.be/5-SJoIpTPk8). In fact, "I'm Rula Lenska" was a bit of a catch phrase among me and my friends.
I actually watched
Rock Follies when it was on PBS back in the 70s. (Very good and very sexy.) So I knew who Rula Lenska was. But I have no idea if she did anything else. (I could look it up, but what fun is that?)
I think she was in Coronation Street for a bit
Not a long and distinguished career, I think it's fair to say. Check out MP George Galloway's seductive technique with her on Celebrity Big Brother. Don't eat first.
Quote from: Vera Charles on Jun 26, 2017, 08:45 AMQuote from: Gordonb on Jun 26, 2017, 06:46 AMQuote from: Bobster on Jun 26, 2017, 06:39 AMThere is so much of this post that I totes adore. :-* :-* :-*
So why aren't you jumping on a plane ...? :-* :-*
I second this question. Come on @Bobster, come over and join us.
What I meant was I adore Gordon's grumbling statements.
I'm in a bit of a minor financial pinch so I shouldn't do anything costly for a bit... :'(
Courtesy of the Stephen Sondheim Society, the first picture:
http://sondheim.org/wp-content/uploads/2017/07/NTGDS_LR_Follies_Editorial_Lores_RGB-large_trans_NvBQzQNjv4BqHRRirXIAYf82yFJLtBB7q9mJ2dmGQjyKZuUjfdxyXCw.jpg
@AmyG ,
@Chris L I tried unsuccessfully to show the picture, not the link ??? ; if you can fix it for this luddite please.
Quote from: Gordonb on Jul 15, 2017, 12:21 PMCourtesy of the Stephen Sondheim Society, the first picture:
http://sondheim.org/wp-content/uploads/2017/07/NTGDS_LR_Follies_Editorial_Lores_RGB-large_trans_NvBQzQNjv4BqHRRirXIAYf82yFJLtBB7q9mJ2dmGQjyKZuUjfdxyXCw.jpg
@AmyG , @Chris L
I tried unsuccessfully to show the picture, not the link ??? ; if you can fix it for this luddite please.
Ah well maybe NOT such a luddite after all! No idea what happened here?
@Gordonb, the reason why you can see your image is because when you upload it and don't insert it, it always show below your post -- so you actually didn't insert it as you suspected. So you didn't really need that link in your post.
And you don't really need to insert the image at all. Just upload it and it will display at the end of your post. If you have a long post and you really want you image to show at a certain point, then you might want to insert it. If you want that, after you upload the image, click the "Insert" button.
There's a tutorial here (http://sondheimforum.com/index.php?topic=66.0). It shows how to do it on an iPhone but it's the same on a computer.
Quote from: AmyG on Jul 15, 2017, 12:50 PM@Gordonb, the reason why you can see your image is because when you upload it and don't insert it, it always show below your post -- so you actually didn't insert it as you suspected. So you didn't really need that link in your post.
And you don't really need to insert the image at all. Just upload it and it will display at the end of your post. If you have a long post and you really want you image to show at a certain point, then you might want to insert it. If you want that, after you upload the image, click the "Insert" button.
There's a tutorial here (http://sondheimforum.com/index.php?topic=66.0). It shows how to do it on an iPhone but it's the same on a computer.
Thanks
@AmyG - I'll probably have to ask again next time! Rather like the link that MrsMig gave years ago on "how to fold a fitted sheet" - does any old-timer still have the link?
It's a nice photo but not reflective of the characters (well, I hope anyway).
There was hoopla of Imelda wearing green but others responded that it was a gown she's worn before.
I wasn't successful in the ballot to see/hear Steve give a talk at the National Theatre before the very first performance of Follies next Tuesday, but I did manage to snag a ticket for the show immediately after the talk!
Excited? Just a tad :))
Like I said on Facebook, I'm expecting a fuller report. When you get back. ;)
I have been given two free tickets to the matinee (four rows from the front!) on Saturday 9th September - I am, also, rather excited!
Quote from: Leighton on Aug 19, 2017, 03:24 AMI have been given two free tickets to the matinee (four rows from the front!) on Saturday 9th September - I am, also, rather excited!
That's the performance that we're going to ... so after all these years ...
Oh? I thought you were going on a Tuesday (from the post above?!)
Also, I don't know what the final decision was on Sunday meet-ups etc., but I have a very light teaching day on a Monday, so a late night wouldn't be impossible. Although my only lesson is first thing, I can probably drag myself through it after a late night :)
Quote from: Leighton on Aug 19, 2017, 10:16 AMOh? I thought you were going on a Tuesday (from the post above?!)
Yes that too. I got the 9 September tix on the first day of booking; next Tuesday is a spontaneous one via Lynne from the Stephen Sondheim Society. I've also booked a selfish 'just me' ticket in mid-December.
@Vera Charles will be there on 9 September together with Rey and our friend Thelma.
Ooooh so we're all there together on September 9th?!
That's so cool that you will all be there on the same day. Enjoy!
Turns out we are coming into London a day earlier (10/14) so we booked one night at a place near the Tower of London since our airbnb was already booked that night. Is that anywhere near where you live Gordon? Regardless, if lunch is preferred by all on the 15th, that would probably be best for us at the point.
Quote from: AmyG on Aug 20, 2017, 02:23 PMThat's so cool that you will all be there on the same day. Enjoy!
Turns out we are coming into London a day earlier (10/14) so we booked one night at a place near the Tower of London since our airbnb was already booked that night. Is that anywhere near where you live Gordon? Regardless, if lunch is preferred by all on the 15th, that would probably be best for us at the point.
Right, shall me make that a date? Lunch chez nous Sunday 15th? You 2 obviously and anyone else who can be or is in town on the day. Getting to us from Tower Bridge area is reasonably easy - train or Uber.
We can discuss timing and dietary quirks nearer the time.
I'm afraid that it's next to impossible for me to be in London on 15 October. :'(
I've got to be in North Somerset for a rehearsal that afternoon and since the show is the following week, I really can't miss it.I am free on Saturday 14th, though ...
Quote from: Vera Charles on Aug 21, 2017, 05:05 AMI'm afraid that it's next to impossible for me to be in London on 15 October. :'(
I've got to be in North Somerset for a rehearsal that afternoon and since the show is the following week, I really can't miss it.I am free on Saturday 14th, though ...
Oh well I'm sure we can do Saturday instead; dinner would suit us better but lunch works too.
14th works for us. We are taking the train in from Edinburgh that day. I wonder if we should move this discussion as it really has nothing to do with Follies at this point. :-\
Quote from: AmyG on Aug 21, 2017, 07:44 AM14th works for us. We are taking the train in from Edinburgh that day. I wonder if we should move this discussion as it really has nothing to do with Follies at this point. :-\
Why not? To the "Chris and Amy Grand Tour of UK" thread C:-)
I'm hugely envious and expected a LOT of posts and comments about this and tons of details with any dialogue and lyric changes and so.
When you're there you have to think "What would Bobster want to know? What details must I remember to tell him???" :-* :-* :-* :-*
Quote from: Bobster on Aug 21, 2017, 09:47 PMWhen you're there you have to think "What would Bobster want to know? What details must I remember to tell him???" :-* :-* :-* :-*
I feel a Facebook live coming on ...
I can be Bobster's eyes and ears - feel free to send me a list of things to report back on! 🕵🏼♀️
Quote from: Bobster on Aug 21, 2017, 09:47 PMI'm hugely envious and expected a LOT of posts and comments about this and tons of details with any dialogue and lyric changes and so.
When you're there you have to think "What would Bobster want to know? What details must I remember to tell him???" :-* :-* :-* :-*
WWBWTK will be our mantra the whole time. O0
;D ;D ;D ;D ;D
I'm already in agony, checking everywhere for anything!!!
Quote from: Bobster on Aug 22, 2017, 02:20 PM;D ;D ;D ;D ;D
I'm already in agony, checking everywhere for anything!!!
Ask away!(https://sondheimforum.com/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwebkit-fake-url%3A%2F%2F39e84de9-d2dc-4076-be90-e06f62b58bec%2Fimagejpeg&hash=eb36f47657a2097f17a5ae287030d0c8407fd112)(https://sondheimforum.com/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwebkit-fake-url%3A%2F%2Fe91ca547-47ac-4609-ab77-43ef92a6c90a%2Fimagejpeg&hash=1f2c8367da898a78515944ef48387357501434d7)
(https://sondheimforum.com/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwebkit-fake-url%3A%2F%2Fbfcbb61f-8b04-4edb-82de-4b3c3d029fa1%2Fimagejpeg&hash=d54b7b75cb407acf9968d4bcba9ea021119e6f8d)
Cool. Can't wait to hear all about it.
I don't want to say too much about last night as it is still in previews; there was one technical glitch mid-way through "Loveland" which forced a 10 minutes or so break in proceedings but otherwise (to my eyes anyway) it all seemed to go smoothly. It was, as you'd expect, a full house and I got the impression that Sondheim aficionados were out in great numbers; Steve was there and made an appearance in one of the aisles during the closing bows and he was identified/pointed out by Imelda Staunton with a warm "thank you to our composer" - he did his nonchalant shrug of the shoulders (around which he had tied his sweater) but was beaming - she also called out for "3 cheers" which I don't believe I have ever seen in a theatrical context - he did seem very delighted.
I think it is fair to say that this is a no-expense spared production - 35 or so actors and a 21 musicians; a beautiful and crumbling revolving set and the vastness of the Olivier was well used. There was a very good sound balance with the orchestra; I noticed 2 occasions when 2 actors seemed to "lose" a phrase or 2 but I don't know whether that was due to them forgetting the line or a microphone problem.
It's hard and unfair to single out individuals but one highlight was the Buddy of Peter Forbes (a hitherto unknown name to me) - he was quite heartbreaking and very naturalistic and he was in fine voice too in his solo numbers. Staunton was Sally to a T; much more restrained than her 2 most recent Sondheim outings; I got quite misty-eyed at "if you don't kiss me Ben, I think I'm going to die".
Janie Dee and Philip Quast were as polished as you'd expect; there might have been a little too much Garland-chanelling in Tracie Bennett's "I'm Still Here" but Di Botcher nailed "Broadway Baby". Of the "younger selves" quartet I couldn't take my eyes of Zizi Strallen (Young Phyllis).
I've said more than I had planned, but I think it is fair to say that I thoroughly enjoyed the performance last night, and I'm looking forward to seeing it again next month with others so we can talk about it and they can tell me how wrong I am in my assessments; I'm talking to you
@Vera Charles ;)
Quote from: Gordonb on Aug 23, 2017, 08:17 AMI've said more than I had planned, but I think it is fair to say that I thoroughly enjoyed the performance last night, and I'm looking forward to seeing it again next month with others so we can talk about it and they can tell me how wrong I am in my assessments; I'm talking to you @Vera Charles ;)
Beyond excited about this now!!!!!
Quote from: Gordonb on Aug 23, 2017, 08:17 AMStaunton was Sally to a T; much more restrained than her 2 most recent Sondheim outings; I got quite misty-eyed at "if you don't kiss me Ben, I think I'm going to die".
See! I knew it. There were some negative comments in various Facebook groups about how she was miscast and she overacts. I didn't think that was right.
(https://scontent-iad3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t1.0-9/20992896_10155223394523813_8767388053887789627_n.jpg?oh=e4e0efa811c7f6b2b945e86f5a271da2&oe=5A2925CC)
Quote from: AmyG on Aug 23, 2017, 04:28 PMQuote from: Gordonb on Aug 23, 2017, 08:17 AMStaunton was Sally to a T; much more restrained than her 2 most recent Sondheim outings; I got quite misty-eyed at "if you don't kiss me Ben, I think I'm going to die".
See! I knew it. There were some negative comments in various Facebook groups about how she was miscast and she overacts. I didn't think that was right.
I suppose it's a "horses for courses" situation. I am not of the "Staunton is a goddess" camp, although I have enjoyed her in everything I have seen, but nor I am in the "she always overacts" camp. I just think that she is a very fine and generous actor - there is a very British trait of knocking success instead of celebrating it (JK Rowling and Andy Murray spring to mind too) and few successful people are exempt from it; I find it rather sad.
One thing I meant to mention earlier is that during some of the dialogue scenes early on when the orchestra was playing incidental, background music, I
think I heard them playing snippets of
"All Things Bright and Beautiful", and "Can That Boy Foxtrot!".Is that likely
@Bobster ?
Rey wants to brush up on his "Follies" awareness before our trip to the National in 2 weeks; he just said to me "do you have a recording of "Follies?"
Silly boy :)
Quote from: Gordonb on Aug 26, 2017, 04:00 AMOne thing I meant to mention earlier is that during some of the dialogue scenes early on when the orchestra was playing incidental, background music, I think I heard them playing snippets of "All Things Bright and Beautiful", and "Can That Boy Foxtrot!".
Is that likely @Bobster ?
Certainly. The Prologue *is* "All Things Bright & Beautiful" so I'd be surprised for the "Stage Band" to be playing it. But maybe.
"Can That Boy Foxtrot!" and "Loveland" of all things were incidental music in the Original Broadway so that could happen.
Great news is I have a meeting in London which has justified my bagging the last available ticket for the matinee that day...less great news is it's not until the 2nd of November, so I won't get to meet any of you lovely folks 😳😓. But at least I get to see it before the NT Live streaming. :)
Broadway World article on the production (https://www.broadwayworld.com/article/Photo-Flash-First-Look-At-FOLLIES-At-The-National-Theatre-20170904), with photos of the cast and set.
It opens tonight I think; and we're seeing it again this Saturday afternoon.
It looks as though they've given Sally a new frock!
5 stars from Billington
https://www.theguardian.com/stage/2017/sep/06/follies-review-imelda-staunton-national-theatre-dominic-cooke?CMP=twt_a-stage_b-gdnstage (https://www.theguardian.com/stage/2017/sep/06/follies-review-imelda-staunton-national-theatre-dominic-cooke?CMP=twt_a-stage_b-gdnstage)
Shenton also seems to love it (just seen a few tweets)
More reviews:
https://www.broadwayworld.com/article/Review-Roundup-FOLLIES-Starring-Imelda-Staunton-Opens-at-the-National-Theatre-20170906 (https://www.broadwayworld.com/article/Review-Roundup-FOLLIES-Starring-Imelda-Staunton-Opens-at-the-National-Theatre-20170906)
Just ordered tickets for the NT Live broadcast on Nov. 16, and I can't wait!
Soooooooo excited about seeing this on Saturday.
[attach name=Post-Follies.jpg type=image/jpeg]166[/attach]
So, I saw Follies this afternoon with my very good friend and colleague, Stephen (the Head of Music to my Head of Drama in school). We also chatted afterwards with Gordon and Mairi, which was as much a pleasure as the show was. It's quite something ... it's not flawless, but it is superb, and I can't imagine a better mounting of the show (other than in my head). All four leads are doing super work (particularly the somewhat unknown Peter Forbes as Buddy, though Dee, Staunton and Quast are carrying their share), and Tracie Bennett and Di Botcher are brilliant. Stephen was also rather astonished to realise Dame Josephine Barstow was in the cast; he has seen her on stage a few times and she remains one of his favourite sopranos.
A wonderful afternoon (despite the back-creakingly uncomfortable seats), and I am very likely to see it in the cinemas if I don't splash out and see it again in person!
Trailer for the upcoming NT Live broadcast:
http://www.playbill.com/article/watch-the-trailer-for-the-national-theatres-live-broadcast-of-follies
Also, Staunton singing "Losing My Mind" (audio only): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bcfsJeTbc-I
There has been a great clamor from, oh, at least two people for me to write a review of the National Theater's
Follies, which
@AmyG and I saw last week in London. I've been hesitant to do so because I don't really feel equipped for it. I've seen three previous productions of
Follies, but they were all directed by Eric Schaeffer of Washington, DC's, Signature Theater, the first at Signature in 2003 (with our friend Donna Migliaccio as Carlotta), the second at the Kennedy Center in 2011 and the third here in LA, after the KC production had a run on Broadway, so I'm not really sure I know the show well enough to comment on how this was different from earlier productions. Nonetheless, a few thoughts.
The production design was stunning. You can get a look at the set in the trailer
@scenicdesign71 posted above. The thrust stage had a huge turntable with a mobile, rotating setpiece on top -- a large wall with the Follies logo and the words "Glorifying the American Girl" on one side, which rotated to reveal a fire escape style staircase where both "The Girls Upstairs" and "Beautiful Girls" were performed. (The actresses appeared one at a time through a door at the top and walked down three zigzagging, wrought iron flights to reach the bottom as Roscoe sang.) The orchestra was clearly visible through a transparent scrim at the rear of the stage, which seemed somehow appropriate in a show about theater itself.
Imelda Staunton gave an energetic, nuanced performance that captured everything that's pathetic about Sally, but I was just as impressed by Peter Forbes as Buddy, whose performance of "The Right Girl" was absolutely heart-wrenching. Janie Dee's Phyllis seemed a bit off during "The Girls Upstairs," her voice cracking on so many notes that I wondered if she had a cold, but she knocked both "Leave You" and "The Story of Lucy and Jessie" out of the park. And while I wasn't quite as blown away by Philip Quast's Ben, perhaps because he doesn't get his tour de force number until the end (with a huge projection of his face looming behind him as he breaks down), he still held his own against his co-stars throughout.
I wish I knew the
Follies book well enough to tell you how this one differs from the one that's usually performed, but Ben's monologue as he has his breakdown at the end of "Live, Laugh, Love" seemed longer and more intense than I recall from other productions and his lines about Sally -- "You said you were going to kill yourself, so I just kept saying I loved you" -- finally clarified for me why Sally had been hung up on him all these years. It helped that the actress playing young Sally was almost as good as Staunton and it hurt to see her grasping at young Ben (or older Ben, as the ghosts and their older counterparts switched off in interacting with one another). As Amy has commented elsewhere, it was the first time I thought I fully understood her relationship with young Ben. Really, though, all of the ghosts were extraordinary.
The depiction of Weismann was -- there's no other word for it -- creepy, as he floated through his scenes like a zombie-ish specter from another era, barely in touch with the real world. When he talked wistfully about how he could have had any of the Follies girls "for a song" I turned to Amy and whispered, "Harvey Weinstein?" While the parallel couldn't have been intended, given the timing, it was impossible to escape. At the end, as the four ghosts finally stepped into center stage and confronted one another, a light came up on Weismann standing in the doorway behind them, raising his hands as though orchestrating their relationships like a puppeteer. It was an odd note, but it stayed with me for quite a while after the lights came up.
@Bobster -- any comments?
Interesting thoughts, Chris; thanks!
I do not remember the Ben projection at all ...
@Gordonb @Vera Charles was this a thing? Did I totally miss this? I loved Quast; he is so effortlessly brilliant, though less showy than the other three are
Quote from: Leighton on Oct 25, 2017, 10:10 AMInteresting thoughts, Chris; thanks!
I do not remember the Ben projection at all ... @Gordonb @Vera Charles was this a thing? Did I totally miss this? I loved Quast; he is so effortlessly brilliant, though less showy than the other three are
That's a fair assessment. His performance was quietly powerful, which is appropriate for Ben, which isn't a showy role until his breakdown at the end. As for the projection, you couldn't have missed it. It was huge. I'm pretty sure it was on the drop cloth that fell across the stage at the beginning of the Loveland sequence. It may have been added later, to make sure the audience got his final monologue, which pretty much tied the show together. (You saw it during previews, right?)
@Chris L, Thanks for your review, I seeing it a week from Friday! Really excited.
Nope, saw it once it had opened ... I definitely don't remember it, I wonder if it was added later ...
Quote from: Leighton on Oct 26, 2017, 01:32 PMNope, saw it once it had opened ... I definitely don't remember it, I wonder if it was added later ...
Oddly, Amy doesn't remember it either, but I'm pretty sure I wasn't hallucinating. I suspect I would have hallucinated something much more interesting than a huge image of Quast's face. ;)
Janie Dee and Philip Quast in conversation t the National (https://player.fm/series/nt-talks)
I hope this works.
Quote from: Gordonb on Oct 29, 2017, 06:16 AMJanie Dee and Philip Quast in conversation t the National (https://player.fm/series/nt-talks)
I hope this works.
It works! Nice to hear Dee and Quast using their normal accents.
It worked for me too. Great interviews (Cooke also) -- thanks so much for posting, Gordon!
Gordon, do you remember the big projection of Quast's face?
Quote from: Leighton on Oct 29, 2017, 02:06 PMGordon, do you remember the big projection of Quast's face?
Not really, but then I can't remember what I had for dinner last night most days!
Quote from: scenicdesign71 on Oct 29, 2017, 01:56 PMIt worked for me too. Great interviews (Cooke also) -- thanks so much for posting, Gordon!
It's a shame that the "In Converstion" with Steve isn't available :(
Yes, without a smidgen of doubt there was a vast projection of Ben/Quast's head seemingly spinning - or filmed from various aspects - on the wall and the Loveland gauze, as far as I could see from my less-than-central viewpoint.
More anon...
Quote from: MartinG on Nov 02, 2017, 03:25 PMYes, without a smidgen of doubt there was a vast projection of Ben/Quast's head seemingly spinning - or filmed from various aspects - on the wall and the Loveland gauze, as far as I could see from my less-than-central viewpoint.
More anon...
Thank God! I'm not insane! ;D
Haha how did I miss this?!
To be fair, there was a stageful of action going on at the time :D
Fingers crossed later today I'll have ten minutes to sit down and formulate my full response coherently...
Suffice to say for now that I think the lady next to me was a little embarrassed by my frequent sniffing and wiping away of tears.
Quote from: MartinG on Nov 04, 2017, 03:16 AMTo be fair, there was a stageful of action going on at the time :D
Fingers crossed later today I'll have ten minutes to sit down and formulate my full response coherently...
Suffice to say for now that I think the lady next to me was a little embarrassed by my frequent sniffing and wiping away of tears.
Was the lady next to you a friend or stranger? ;)
Let us know what you thought. I'm curious to hear!
On its way...it's been a bit of a frantic week.
I'm really interested in what you have to say,
@MartinG, but don't stress out about it. I can wait. ;)
Quote from: Chris L on Nov 04, 2017, 09:22 AMQuote from: MartinG on Nov 04, 2017, 03:16 AMWas the lady next to you a friend or stranger? ;)
A total stranger - and she was late arriving so disrupted the whole row and surrounding area ten minutes in, which didn't dispose me well towards her in the first place, then she declined to applaud any of the songs until the end, which I thought was poor form. >:(
Anyway, Mrs Lincoln, how was the play?...
Well as intimated earlier, I was captivated and pretty emotionally wrought. I thought keeping the younger selves of the main protagonists present and conscious of the developing action so much of the time was brilliant, and really brought the themes of desperate regret, skewed perspectives and missed chances sharply into focus. Young Carlotta living every second of
ISH was incredibly moving, and the incorporation of Young Phyl into
Lucy & Jessie, dancing through awkward yearning to joyous confidence was genius and made perfect sense of the song. I loved the broken, dusty old theatre seats and associated rubble, though it made me feel achingly sad too.
Forbes and Dee I thought were perfectly cast and conveyed the contrasting but complimentary disillusionment and self-loathing of Buddy and Phyllis with painful credibility. Ben is a challenging character whose polished high-level diplomatic veneer means that it's necessarily difficult for him to give much away, but there were some nicely nuanced moments of hinted vulnerability throughout and his wretched, wrung-out post-breakdown figure was endearingly raw and helpless in the face of the unbearable prospect of life without Phyllis. Staunton was, of course, touchingly and frustratingly naïve and self-deluded, and brought a tense, slightly darker and neurotic tone to Sally. While I've been an ardent admirer for years, and stand by my bold assertion that her Nelly Lovett was second to none, there were however a couple of disappointing instances when she seemed to compromise the truth of the moment for the sake of an unnecessary laugh, e.g. "I should have worn green", which is so sweetly poignant if played with girlish sincerity but which I liked a little less as a petulant almost-aside to the audience, spoiling the tenderness of one of my all-time favourite songs. On the whole, though, the central quartet and their equally hard-working alter-egos were very well-balanced, and the show was generally conceived and executed with respect and sensitivity to the creators' original vision.
Can't wait to see it again in the live stream on Thursday now! ;D
Terrific review,
@MartinG, and I agree with pretty much all of it.
Speaking of the ghosts, there's one I've been wanting to mention. We've both noted how amazing the ghosts are in this production, but among the secondary ones I was especially impressed with young Heidi. Josephine Barstow, as older Heidi, is a beautiful actress of well beyond a certain age, but when she stepped out of the spotlight during "One Last Kiss" and was replaced by Alison Langer as her younger self I could hear the audience gasp. More than any other moment in the show it felt like stepping back in time, back to the very earliest days of the Weismann Follies, and conveyed what overwhelming star power Heidi must have had when she was young, an exquisitely beautiful performer with an incredible voice. It brought alive the show's sense of deep history more than any other number (not that the renditions of the other songs, and the ghosts that accompanied their performers, weren't wonderful).
I've never cared for "One More Kiss" that much -- Victor Herbert pastiches are apparently not my thing -- but Barstow and Langer really made it work.
Quote from: Chris L on Oct 24, 2017, 10:13 PM
@Bobster -- any comments?
I'm seeing the rebroadcast on Monday so I can give a better opinion then.
Quote from: Chris L on Nov 10, 2017, 05:32 PM...but when she stepped out of the spotlight during "One Last Kiss"...
I've never cared for "One Last Kiss" that much...
[
Wincing] It's "One
More Kiss"; "One Last Kiss" is from
Bye Bye Birdie. :-[
Quote from: Bobster on Nov 15, 2017, 06:09 AM[Wincing] It's "One More Kiss"; "One Last Kiss" is from Bye Bye Birdie. :-[
Oddly, I was consciously attempting not to make that mistake, but I seem to have blundered into it anyway. ::Hangs head in shame:: I'm off to fix it now.
The New York Times tapes a visit to a rehearsal for the National's Follies broadcast. (https://www.facebook.com/nytimes/videos/10151382360609999/) (That link may require a Facebook log-in.)
Really enjoyed seeing it again from different angles, which helped focus on bits of the ghosts' reactions that I'd missed and reinforced how brilliant the direction was. Vocals were a little low in the mix at times, but so pleased to get another bite at the juicy, dressy cherry!
One interesting change from the performance I saw a fortnight ago - the Burlesque Margie & Sally in Buddy's Blues had been male dancers in panto dame drag when I saw the show, but in the live stream tonight they were female dancers as in the original London cast. I wondered if the change may have been due to sensitivity about the unflattering portrayal of women?? :-\
How odd! I wondered if the drag Margie and Sally was typical of the show/written in, or a directorial choice
Quote from: Leighton on Nov 19, 2017, 11:36 AMHow odd! I wondered if the drag Margie and Sally was typical of the show/written in, or a directorial choice
I've never seen the roles played by men before (to be aware of it, anyway).
One more trip to see the show this afternoon, in about 75 minutes to be precise. Front row A20, one of the 'snug' seats. So very much looking forward to it again.
Quote from: MartinG on Nov 02, 2017, 03:25 PMYes, without a smidgen of doubt there was a vast projection of Ben/Quast's head seemingly spinning - or filmed from various aspects - on the wall and the Loveland gauze, as far as I could see from my less-than-central viewpoint.
More anon...
I concur with Martin- you weren't hallucinating
@Chris L, but from my front row seat it seemed to be a fleeting projection onto the gauze. Had I not been watching out specifically I think I might have missed it!
Quote from: Leighton on Nov 19, 2017, 11:36 AMHow odd! I wondered if the drag Margie and Sally was typical of the show/written in, or a directorial choice
No drag Margie and Sally today.
I'm sure I didn't imagine it :)
Quote from: MartinG on Dec 16, 2017, 10:24 AMI'm sure I didn't imagine it :)
Exactly, but
@Chris L was beginning to doubt himself.😉
Quote from: Gordonb on Dec 16, 2017, 10:13 AMQuote from: Leighton on Nov 19, 2017, 11:36 AMHow odd! I wondered if the drag Margie and Sally was typical of the show/written in, or a directorial choice
No drag Margie and Sally today.
That's a change then!
How were the snug seats?
Quote from: Leighton on Dec 19, 2017, 02:59 PMQuote from: Gordonb on Dec 16, 2017, 10:13 AMQuote from: Leighton on Nov 19, 2017, 11:36 AMHow odd! I wondered if the drag Margie and Sally was typical of the show/written in, or a directorial choice
No drag Margie and Sally today.
That's a change then!
How were the snug seats?
Less snug than the last time I sat in them - I hope that means my fat arse is less fat than it used to be!
It was honestly a stunning position from which to see the show.
"Margie" and "Sally" were originally men in drag when the Original production started in Boston but that got changed after just a show or two.
Looks like the London production went off that idea, too, then!
We finally saw the NT Live broadcast. Based on some of the comments I've seen on Facebook I was worried that it might not have been a good representation of the stage production, but in fact it was a brilliant representation of the stage production, occasionally even better. Nothing can replace the experience of seeing a show in person, but since we've already seen it in person, it was thrilling to see the actors in close-up, getting a much more detailed view of facial expressions and movements. "Losing My Mind," in particular, was stunning in close-up view.
I'd seen comments online about the staging, about how the actors were too far apart when they interacted or weren't looking at each other, but most of that was the result of the thrust stage. The performers were surrounded by a 180-degree audience and tried to play evenly to all sides. Maybe because I knew where the audience was, this never bothered me in the broadcast. And I still think the cast was superb.
The crossdressing was definitely absent from "Buddies Blues," though. And the projection of Philip Quast on the scrim was there, though the cameras pushed in so tightly on Quast that it wasn't always visible.
One thing that bothered me, though it's rather trivial, is that despite Phyllis's lamentations that she's no longer Juicy Lucy, in close-up Janie Dee is actually sexier than the actress playing her younger ghost, who is at best cute and perky. But maybe that's just a sign that I'm getting old. ;)
Quote from: Chris L on Jan 07, 2018, 05:26 PMOne thing that bothered me, though it's rather trivial, is that despite Phyllis's lamentations that she's no longer Juicy Lucy, in close-up Janie Dee is actually sexier than the actress playing her younger ghost, who is at best cute and perky. But maybe that's just a sign that I'm getting old. ;)
You are, as is Janie Dee, but to quote Enobarbus in "Antony & Cleopatra":"Age cannot wither her, nor custom staleHer infinite variety"
That's a horrible photo of Janie Dee! :-[
(But Juicy Lucy looks as chipmunk-faced as ever.)
Quote from: Chris L on Jan 09, 2018, 11:19 AMThat's a horrible photo of Janie
But when she lets her hair down and kicks out her legs ...
https://www.thestage.co.uk/news/2018/follies-return-national-theatre-release-cast-recording/ !!!
Returning to NT Live on cinema screens this September:
https://follies.ntlive.com
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oXpAFaY4X58