Follies in London 2017

[Vera Charles]

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  

Beyond excited about this now!!!!!

[AmyG]

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".

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.

[Bobster]

[Gordonb]

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".

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.

[Gordonb]

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 ?

[Gordonb]

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

[Bobster]

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 ?

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.

[MartinG]

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.

[Chris L]

Broadway World article on the production, with photos of the cast and set.

[Gordonb]

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!

[Leighton]

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

Shenton also seems to love it (just seen a few tweets)

[scenicdesign71]

More reviews:

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!

[Vera Charles]

Soooooooo excited about seeing this on Saturday.

[Leighton]

[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!

[scenicdesign71]

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