Follies

[lonlad]

How in heaven's name do the apparently delicate flowers on this board go to movies these days, vast numbers of which are way longer than FOLLIES would ever be, and have no interval (most of the HARRY POTTER films, for starters, or most Oscar-season blockbusters) -- in life, are people really going to the loo every 90 minutes? most peculiar if so.

Translation: FOLLIES does not and should not have an interval. End of story.

[alece10]

Aug 26, 2017 4:54:45 GMT lonlad said:

How in heaven's name do the apparently delicate flowers on this board go to movies these days, vast numbers of which are way longer than FOLLIES would ever be, and have no interval (most of the HARRY POTTER films, for starters, or most Oscar-season blockbusters) -- in life, are people really going to the loo every 90 minutes? most peculiar if so.

Translation: FOLLIES does not and should not have an interval. End of story.

I think there is a difference in going to the loo during a film than at the theatre. In most modern multi plex cinemas the rows are shorter and much more leg room so if someone gets up they are not disturbing many people. Wheras in a lot of theatres rows can be very long with little leg room so if you are in the middle and want to get out you disturb a lot of people who have to get up for you to pass also disturbing the view of the people behind and allover again when you return. People generally don't feel bad about going to the loo in a cinema but would feel really embarrassed about having to do it in the theatre.
Mind you I go to the cinema about once a year and I'm usually the only person there so in only disturbing myself.
I also think it can be psychological as you probably can manage more then 2 hours but it's just the thought that you can't go makes you panic a bit.

[Deleted]

This was crowdfunded??

[martin1965]

Aug 26, 2017 4:54:45 GMT lonlad said:

How in heaven's name do the apparently delicate flowers on this board go to movies these days, vast numbers of which are way longer than FOLLIES would ever be, and have no interval (most of the HARRY POTTER films, for starters, or most Oscar-season blockbusters) -- in life, are people really going to the loo every 90 minutes? most peculiar if so.

Translation: FOLLIES does not and should not have an interval. End of story.

Hear hear! So much rubbish been spoken here. One would have thought it was three and half hours straight through.

[Mark]

I went in wanting to love this. And did I? Not quite. An enjoyable evening for sure but something didn't quite work.

I thought the performances overall were pretty good. Tracie Bennet was her number was a definite highlight. Imelda I was surprised at how soft her voice was at certain moments, having only seen her in Sweeney/Gypsy it was great to see her be so versatile here. Haven't seen Janie Dee in a musical before and thought she was very good, especially "Could I leave you". I loved the idea of the younger selves always shadowing their older counterparts, and it was very well done here. I also really liked the use of the revolve during mirror.

What was it that didn't work for me? Well, a lot of it was the material. About half the score I really liked, but then the other half I found terribly dull. It was my 10th Sondheim show and I was quite unfamiliar with the score for this one, although that hasn't stopped me enjoying his works before going in totally blind. I also didn't really care about the characters. The set, whilst very good, I didn't feel that the Olivier was fully utilised. Those massive set pieces which were used for the first half hour just slid off stage and stayed there for the next hour and a half. A vast "empty" looking stage for a lot of it.

I might try this again if a cheap front stalls ticket shows up online, but it's a solid 3 Star middle of the road show for me

[alece10]

Interesting thing is that earlier on when casting was announced several people were very critical of Tracie Bennett being cast now its seems that she is the person singled out for praise on many of the posts so far.
I was never in any doubt about how good she would be. I fondly remember her performance of Ol' Man River at West End Recast a few years ago and it was one of the standout performances of the night.

[julian]

Aug 25, 2017 18:24:18 GMT @frontrowdress said:

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.

Its being shown live in cinemas on the 16th Nov

[nrets001]

Aug 26, 2017 7:48:05 GMT Mark said:

I went in wanting to love this. And did I? Not quite. An enjoyable evening for sure but something didn't quite work.

I thought the performances overall were pretty good. Tracie Bennet was her number was a definite highlight. Imelda I was surprised at how soft her voice was at certain moments, having only seen her in Sweeney/Gypsy it was great to see her be so versatile here. Haven't seen Janie Dee in a musical before and thought she was very good, especially "Could I leave you". I loved the idea of the younger selves always shadowing their older counterparts, and it was very well done here. I also really liked the use of the revolve during mirror.

What was it that didn't work for me? Well, a lot of it was the material. About half the score I really liked, but then the other half I found terribly dull. It was my 10th Sondheim show and I was quite unfamiliar with the score for this one, although that hasn't stopped me enjoying his works before going in totally blind. I also didn't really care about the characters. The set, whilst very good, I didn't feel that the Olivier was fully utilised. Those massive set pieces which were used for the first half hour just slid off stage and stayed there for the next hour and a half. A vast "empty" looking stage for a lot of it.

I might try this again if a cheap front stalls ticket shows up online, but it's a solid 3 Star middle of the road show for me

[oxfordsimon]

Aug 26, 2017 7:48:05 GMT Mark said:

I went in wanting to love this. And did I? Not quite. An enjoyable evening for sure but something didn't quite work.

I thought the performances overall were pretty good. Tracie Bennet was her number was a definite highlight. Imelda I was surprised at how soft her voice was at certain moments, having only seen her in Sweeney/Gypsy it was great to see her be so versatile here. Haven't seen Janie Dee in a musical before and thought she was very good, especially "Could I leave you". I loved the idea of the younger selves always shadowing their older counterparts, and it was very well done here. I also really liked the use of the revolve during mirror.

What was it that didn't work for me? Well, a lot of it was the material. About half the score I really liked, but then the other half I found terribly dull. It was my 10th Sondheim show and I was quite unfamiliar with the score for this one, although that hasn't stopped me enjoying his works before going in totally blind. I also didn't really care about the characters. The set, whilst very good, I didn't feel that the Olivier was fully utilised. Those massive set pieces which were used for the first half hour just slid off stage and stayed there for the next hour and a half. A vast "empty" looking stage for a lot of it.

I might try this again if a cheap front stalls ticket shows up online, but it's a solid 3 Star middle of the road show for me

Follies isn't a show that needs a complicated set. The action takes place in a theatre that is about to be demolished. You certainly need a few key elements but the empty stage is what the piece needs as long as you get the necessary changes for the 'Follies' numbers as the nightmares of the characters are writ large on the stage.

[Deleted]

Aug 26, 2017 7:24:29 GMT martin1965 said:

Aug 26, 2017 4:54:45 GMT lonlad said:

How in heaven's name do the apparently delicate flowers on this board go to movies these days, vast numbers of which are way longer than FOLLIES would ever be, and have no interval (most of the HARRY POTTER films, for starters, or most Oscar-season blockbusters) -- in life, are people really going to the loo every 90 minutes? most peculiar if so.

Translation: FOLLIES does not and should not have an interval. End of story.

Hear hear! So much rubbish been spoken here. One would have thought it was three and half hours straight through.

I didn't realise we weren't allowed to have a different opinion. Good grief...

[Deleted]

Follies' characters arent supposed to be people you automatically care for, as they are self obsessed, frustrating, inconsistent, people you would tend to avoid in real life. It would be easy to dismiss them but, on further reflection, an audience member starts to see that they too are the same, and nudged into admitting their own narcissism, inconsistency etc. They find themself reflected, so that woman/man 'is me', as one of the songs goes. That harsh realisation is when Follies really does kick in.

[etceteranz]

This was my first follies - never seen it before nor heard about it before (don't shoot..)

So I grabbed a last minute ticket as i'm a bit of a imelda staunton fan...

I have to say it all was a bit meh to me. I was expecting a huge climax at the end and the drama was removed with the dream land follies sequence and then it ended quickly after that so i was left a bit unsatisfied with it all. The younger versions of themselves seem a bit unfulfilled in their use (almost a waste of some of the talent on the stage).

A solid 3 star but i wouldn't be rushing back to this production (or future ones).

[showgirl]

Some rather intemperate and imo intolerant reactions to those who might have medical issues meaning they are unable to sit for prolonged periods. So for the record, cinemas I visit have far more spacious & comfortable seating than any theatre I know; plus the film length is advertised in advance. All I'm asking is that theatres provide this info in advance, so those considering booking may make an informed decision.

[barbra99]

I’m sensing the tide turning slightly in people’s opinions about this show. I’ve been lucky enough to see a few productions over the years and remember the first time walking in expecting all the glitz and glamour of the Follies and came out thinking how messed up life, love and relationships can. By the way, this is my experience which might not be yours.

I think it’s clever how Sondheim pastiches lots of tradition musical genres making you at first think it’s all happy, and glorious when in fact most of the characters seemto be seething with rage, anger and unhappiness. Hasn’t Sondheim dubbed Follies the antimusical for this reason?? I might be wrong on this, so apologies if so.  Perhaps the lack of an interval could be a theatrical middle finger to a traditional musical format?  Just a thought, so don’t shoot me down. .

In my opinion, it is a musical that stays with you and like a good wine or smelly cheese, just gets better with age.

My thoughts on this production? Loved it. I wanted more set wise, would love to have walked into the Olivier and felt like I was in an abandoned theatre. Performance wise, I though Janie acted and sang Imelda Staunton offf the stage. I’m off to see it again tonight.

[anthony40]

Welcome to the board barbra99

[mrbarnaby]

Slightly odd how some people are going to this expecting it to just be 42nd street mark 2.. glitz and glamour. They obviously don't know anything about the piece.

Funny how Michael Riedel in the NY post says uk theatreboards are going crazy for it- I think he mentions this one- all I'm seeing are very mixed opinions and some downright meh !!!

[Deleted]

Aug 26, 2017 13:47:59 GMT showgirl said:

Some rather intemperate and imo intolerant reactions to those who might have medical issues meaning they are unable to sit for prolonged periods. So for the record, cinemas I visit have far more spacious & comfortable seating than any theatre I know; plus the film length is advertised in advance. All I'm asking is that theatres provide this info in advance, so those considering booking may make an informed decision.

Sadly that's the second time in a week the same discussion has been had, with the same reactions.  It's starting to seem to me that having an opinion that no show should run 2 hours plus without an interval is taboo on here...

Anyway, I'm seeing this in a couple of weeks without any knowledge of the background save what I've read on here.  From the title I probably would have been expecting some level of glitz and glamour if I hadn't read explanations on here - given that the Follies have always been associated with glamour, I'm not sure why it's odd that people who are unfamiliar with the piece think it's going to be glitzy...

[crabtree]

Put simply, 'Follies' is using the conceit of a Follies homage to exam the follies of human nature, much as Cabaret uses a cabaret to comment on a more political landscape.

[Deleted]

I haven't seen it mentioned so I assume it hasn't, but the running time has now been updated on the website to 2 hours 10 mins w/ no interval.

[wickedgrin]

OK, so here's my view for what it's worth......

I have never seen a better production of this show and I've seen a few. It is a "marmite" show though and if you are not keen on Sondheim or are unfamiliar with the material I can understand people not liking it. That is a fault of the material (particularly the book) rather than the production itself.

Regarding the interval debate - lots of people were complaining at 10.00pm on the way out after having sat in their seats since 7.20. It is a big ask - 2.40 without a break, but the show is written without an interval and I really don't know where one would go without breaking the magic and momentum. A dilemma for the production team that were stood at the back of the stalls on the way out. A final decision has still not been made.....

The staging and the opening sequence is amazing, although the show is set in a theatre due for demolition, this theatre appears to be half demolished already - an incredible set design by Vicki Mortimer.

I especially love actors who can sing in musical theatre rather than singers who can't act - again a personal choice and here the entire company serve the material well (although I have heard the numbers "sung" better) all the numbers are knocked out of the park! Particularly memorable for me, Imelda Staunton (diminutive in a blonde wig) with truly heartbreaking renditions of "Buddies Eyes" and "Losing My Mind", Janie Dee with "Could I Leave You", Josephine Barstow (at 76?) with a spine tingling "One Last Kiss" and Tracie Bennett stopping the show with " I'm Still Here". I felt the women stronger than the men but I think that is in the writing.

Catching the eye was Zizi Strallen as the Young Phyllis, and the senior members of the cast watched and shadowed all the time with the ghosts of their younger selves - emphasising lost hopes, dreams and happiness. I was also affected by the possibility of the current older cast being shadowed by ghosts of previous actors in their roles, no longer with us, Lee Remick, Elaine Stritch, Dolores Gray, Eartha Kitt, Daniel Massey, David Healy and of course Barbara Cook.

As previously mentioned the staging and choreography for "the Mirror number" was a show stopping highlight.

Slightly disappointing was the staging of the Loveland sequence which I thought was a bit lazy considering the technical abilities of the Olivier Theatre - how I wished for that drum revolve to have been used for this, and I felt the production lost energy during this sequence towards the end in the last 30 mins, but not helped by a technical stop.

It's not an uplifting show, it tackles huge life issues of relationships, lost love, missed opportunities, regret, wrong choices, lost youth, and will resonate differently to individuals. I loved it, truly spectacular and the orchestra was sublime -around 20 in number I believe. I will try and see it again later in the run. A real treat.

[wickedgrin]

Aug 26, 2017 16:10:52 GMT danieljohnson14 said:

I haven't seen it mentioned so I assume it hasn't, but the running time has now been updated on the website to 2 hours 10 mins w/ no interval.

Yes, I was sent an email yesterday saying the same thing about last nights performance but it still ran 2.20. I really don't know how they would shorten it by 10 minutes without cutting a number! The pacing too seemed fine. Plus of course it did not start on time and had a stop for 5 mins due to a technical issue.

[Deleted]

I'm sure people walking past the production team bitching and moaning after the show didn't help their confidence in their decisions either. Thankfully, by the time I see it the day before opening night, it should be set in stone.

[bobbybaby]

Saw this last night on a last minute lucky pop-in to the National.
I have previously seen the RFH and RAH versions and the NT version makes much more sense dramatically. I think it works better without an interval - in fact when it finished (much to my own surprise) I thought I could have taken another 10- 15 minutes (and believe me I don't have the strongest of bladders). It does have a rather sudden resolution.
For a third preview it's in great shape. I think they've obviously spent the money on the talent.
Overall it was well sung.
My highlights were  Beautiful Girls, Broadway Baby, I'm Still Here,Buddys Blues, Could I Leave You and my favourite - Losing My Mind ( I thought Imelda acted the hell out of it).
I generally loved the staging, the younger selves being present worked really well for me.
As others  have said it's a bleak piece and occasionally with the open bare stage it wouldn't have felt out of place if Siberian winds had whipped through - especially during Could I Leave You. In fact when Loveland appeared it had a really cool feel as opposed to the warm rose-tinted yesteryear type stagings I've seen previously.
Did I love it - yes.  Am I going again - Yes.
I think it'll probably get mixed reviews because of the material as opposed to the performances.
Timing wise it started about 5 mins late and had a small hitch, but it finished at 10. Quite a few people appeared to leave at the technical hitch.

FYI - website says 2h10m but signs outside auditorium said 2h18m.

[anthony40]

Welcome to the board bobbybaby

[Deleted]

Coming from the States to see the show in November and cannot quite remember best seating in this theatre. I know it is steeply raked and wide.

I can get P29 on the center block center aisle or G16, a few seats in from the side aisle on the center block? Any thoughts? Thank you.