Follies

[orchestrator]

Aug 24, 2017 16:22:21 GMT schuttep said:

Aug 24, 2017 9:09:10 GMT @anthonyhope said:

Yep, he's stated this a number of times. 

("Then someone's mother, then you're camp. Then you career from career to career to career." 

Christina ("someone" lol)... Dunaway (absolutely)... Actress... Pepsi Cola...) 

Too many careers :-)

[callum]

Well let's just hope that Tracie's costumes aren't being put on wire hangers.

[adolphus]

I'm surprised that Crawford inspired this as she was a big star from the 20s to the early 60s (with minor dips) and totally immunised from the Depression.

Anyway great show. Imelda is totally unstrident here and sings beautifully. Philip Quast impressed me most, but everyone's great.

It desperatey needs an interval, clocking in at 2hrs 25 inc curtain call. My leg cramps aside, there were lot of stiff bodied folks struggling up the exit and a huge queue for the loos. I can't see how an interval would diminish this - heard an exasperated whispers while the last four Loveland/ Follies numbers were unfolding - "are there really two more?" Give us a break, NT

[Deleted]

Aug 24, 2017 22:24:40 GMT adolphus said:

I'm surprised that Crawford inspired this as she was a big star from the 20s to the early 60s (with minor dips) and totally immunised from the Depression.

Anyway great show. Imelda is totally unstrident here and sings beautifully. Philip Quast impressed me most, but everyone's great.

It desperatey needs an interval, clocking in at 2hrs 25 inc curtain call. My leg cramps aside, there were lot of stiff bodied folks struggling up the exit and a huge queue for the loos. I can't see how an interval would diminish this - heard an exasperated whispers while the last four Loveland/ Follies numbers were unfolding - "are there really two more?" Give us a break, NT

I would say there's a good chance of an interval being added by the time opening night rolls along. 

[Deleted]

Having seen productions with and without an interval, it definitely flows better emotionally without one. But you have to get it to clock in closer to 2 hours for people to not get too fidgety.

[callum]

My rule of thumb is anything over 100 mins needs an interval. Will reserve judgement as this seems a special case but maybe they might try one preview with an interval then gauge how it works? Even if they don't, I can't imagine they'll have taken the decision lightly.

[Mr Snow]

Art isn't easy?😈

[Deleted]

Guess who got their tickets out for "tonight's" performance only to find they're for next Friday when they will be on holiday in Crete? The lovely staff at the box office have changed them to later in the run, so if you're after two row F stalls seats for 1 September, keep your eye on their web-site.

As a side note, when I was in there staff were telling people that a decision was being made tonight on whether to have an interval or not.

Most of the interval discussion on here has revolved around weak bladders vs artistic integrity, but it got me thinking. As the National have been crowd funding to mount this production, surely they could do with what must be a substantial sum from the bar that is lost if it remains interval-free?

Anyway I now have to wait until December to get my Follies fix.

[wickedgrin]

I am there tonight and will report on the interval situation!

[Mark]

There's some tickets popped up for tonight!

I'm there in row D circle. Can't wait!

[Deleted]

It just does not work with an interval, that's why the original production didn't have one and why they concocted 'Follies-lite' for the London premiere, for which Cam Mack wanted to have one. You can't just stop the show in a particular place and expect it not to be destructive.

The production of the original version I saw with an interval killed the show; momentum went, the second half had no sense of pacing because it had to pick up unnaturally, the Loveland section had too little build up, the coda was too removed from the first half, etc.

[wickedgrin]

Just picked up my ticket for tonight and told no interval 2 hours 10 mins straight through.

[Deleted]

Aug 25, 2017 10:46:59 GMT @cardinalpirelli said:

It just does not work with an interval, that's why the original production didn't have one and why they concocted 'Follies-lite' for the London premiere, for which Cam Mack wanted to have one. You can't just stop the show in a particular place and expect it not to be destructive.

The production of the original version I saw with an interval killed the show; momentum went, the second half had no sense of pacing because it had to pick up unnaturally, the Loveland section had too little build up, the coda was too removed from the first half, etc.

But on the plus side. I've have had a G&T and a Double Decker. Possibly a little wee and a stretch of my legs.

I'm sure the Royal Albert Hall show had an interval and it was perfectly fine.

[theatrelover123]

The RAH production did have an interval but it didn't work. It was awkwardly placed and just left the second half as the weird string of individual songs/ breakdowns which jarred with the first half and made it apparent that it is a play of 2 halves. I guess when you are in the moment and the production flows as one then there is less apparent jarring.

[alece10]

Aug 25, 2017 11:02:50 GMT wickedgrin said:

Just picked up my ticket for tonight and told no interval 2 hours 10 mins straight through.

So have they cut 20 mins? I'm sure someone posted on here yesterday or day before that it was running at 2.5 hours.

[Deleted]

It was about 2.15 on Tuesday. It was never 2 and a half.

Really hope they dont put the interval back. For me this was the first time it really worked.

[lou105]

I've sadly just had to return a pair for tonight if anyone wants to contact the Box Office.

[couldileaveyou]

Aug 25, 2017 11:58:01 GMT theatrelover123 said:

The RAH production did have an interval but it didn't work. It was awkwardly placed and just left the second half as the weird string of individual songs/ breakdowns which jarred with the first half and made it apparent that it is a play of 2 halves. I guess when you are in the moment and the production flows as one then there is less apparent jarring.

That disgraceful production put the interval in such a stupid point that the second act was barely 30 minutes long

[Deleted]

I have no willpower. Some good seats have become available for tomorrow, so I decided I couldn't possibly wait 4 months. That's me going twice (at least) now.

[finalperformance]

You must do, what you must do. Then you can move on.

[wickedgrin]

Came down at 10.00 tonight. 5 mins late start and a brief stop for a tech reason just before Losing My Mind near the end. Still running 2.20 I would say.

Fabulous show! More thoughts tomorrow.

[nash16]

Aug 25, 2017 10:01:20 GMT @frontrowdress said:

Guess who got their tickets out for "tonight's" performance only to find they're for next Friday when they will be on holiday in Crete? The lovely staff at the box office have changed them to later in the run, so if you're after two row F stalls seats for 1 September, keep your eye on their web-site.

As a side note, when I was in there staff were telling people that a decision was being made tonight on whether to have an interval or not.

Most of the interval discussion on here has revolved around weak bladders vs artistic integrity, but it got me thinking. As the National have been crowd funding to mount this production, surely they could do with what must be a substantial sum from the bar that is lost if it remains interval-free?

Anyway I now have to wait until December to get my Follies fix.

Yes, we discussed this after the show too.

The (rather desperate and shocking) measure to crowdfund the production surely should have resulted in some more clear sighted thinking to:

a) have an interval to generate those bar tabs, and

b) put that's Sondheim talk in the Olivier, not the Dorfman.

(Also scrap this ballot nonsense, first ANGELS, then the Sondheim talk. It's making itself too exclusive as a venue, and then begging for change from everyone at the same time.)

[nash16]

Aug 25, 2017 10:46:59 GMT @cardinalpirelli said:

It just does not work with an interval, that's why the original production didn't have one and why they concocted 'Follies-lite' for the London premiere, for which Cam Mack wanted to have one. You can't just stop the show in a particular place and expect it not to be destructive.

The production of the original version I saw with an interval killed the show; momentum went, the second half had no sense of pacing because it had to pick up unnaturally, the Loveland section had too little build up, the coda was too removed from the first half, etc.

The problem with this prod is if they DID put an interval in, of course, I think a number of people would leave.

[Deleted]

Aug 25, 2017 22:43:50 GMT nash16 said:

Aug 25, 2017 10:46:59 GMT @cardinalpirelli said:

It just does not work with an interval, that's why the original production didn't have one and why they concocted 'Follies-lite' for the London premiere, for which Cam Mack wanted to have one. You can't just stop the show in a particular place and expect it not to be destructive.

The production of the original version I saw with an interval killed the show; momentum went, the second half had no sense of pacing because it had to pick up unnaturally, the Loveland section had too little build up, the coda was too removed from the first half, etc.

The problem with this prod is if they DID put an interval in, of course, I think a number of people would leave.

With all the outstanding word of mouth, likely only to be very few! They appear to have got it right by going back to the original, it was the same with Merrily We Roll Along, taking away all the attempted 'improvements' to find that their first thoughts worked best.

[showgirl]

I wouldn't want to leave if it was good (never seen the show before), but anything above 90 mins is WAY too long without an interval for some - and due to the NT's wretched online booking system issues, I was unable to book my usual cheaper seat during members' booking and had to opt for a more expensive one or nothing. Plus I love the Olivier and rarely find the productions I want to see housed there. But I'll still be looking at having to return my precious ticket if no interval is inserted.

On a general note, whilst I know that no theatre has an idea of running time until dress rehearsal stage, it shouldn't be that difficult to give an approximate indication for those needing to plan travel and/or with health concerns. I've lost count of the number of times I've ended up with an infuriatingly short matinee and too much time to kill, but a long evening and difficulty getting home. If it's not the first production, searching online for previous running times can help, but it shouldn't be necessary.