Follies

[Deleted]

The NT puts the in-house tickets on sale for NT Live screenings pretty late in the day, presumably once they've worked out where the cameras will be. I've not been to a huge number of NT Live screenings, but I would feel safe to assume there'll be preamble. Especially as there'll be no interval to show NT-themed mini documentaries with this one.

[peggs]

Are all national programmes now five ponds or is follies just more? Haven't read all this thread as just about to see so sorry if already covered

[peggs]

Thanks monkey 're programmes, won't comment on being at same performance again and missing you though since I felt truly awful for the second hour you did well. Reading back through thread is quite illuminating for things I missed in my confused state.

[shady23]

Sept 23, 2017 17:57:15 GMT @theatremonkey said:

No, only the "big show" programmes are a fiver (use an amex card at the bookshop if you have one, you get 10% off). The regulars are £4 or £3 in the Dorfman.

The good thing about the National Theatre though is they also do free cast lists.

I wish all theatres would do this.

[martin1965]

Sept 22, 2017 9:13:14 GMT @baemax said:

WOW. I've heard some dumb Q&A questions in my time, but you have to wonder what goes through people's heads when they open their mouths to ask their question to a person's actual face.

Oh the stupidity of people who have paid to see stuff never ceases to amaze me!

[martin1965]

Sept 23, 2017 12:47:01 GMT peggs said:

Are all national programmes now five ponds or is follies just more? Haven't read all this thread as just about to see so sorry if already covered

Seems a new idea, Angels and Follies only so far.

[Being Alive]

I bloody loved this. Like, really loved it. Probably because I got there and found I’d booked front row...
this is such a fabulous production, with so many wonderful performances. Philip Quast’s Voice is like liquid gold. Janie Dee stole the whole show for me with her Loveland number. Tracie Bennett grabs I’m Still Here by the neck and runs with it. Imelda is very good (although does give my least favourite performance I’ve seen from her) - she is wonderful in Losing My Mind.
The cast of 37 make the show so grand and epic. The Mirror numbers is GLORIOUS. And the orchestra of 21. I mean wowzer. That is proper magic.
That’s a five star production from me - one of the best productions I’ve ever seen.

[peggs]

It took me ages to realise that the orchestra was at the back, I had a look at the beginning and thought nope not one here, I am blaming this on possibly not the best combo of pills I took to try and get me through and not the fact that I may have been more than a little bit dim. Still there are several moments people are referencing that I appear to have completely blanked out too so maybe the pills did have something to do with it.


I don't do musicals, no big dislike just would rather see a play so think knowing nothing rather expected a lot of razzmatazz and joy, bit low on the joy one Follies so really suited me quite well.

[BurlyBeaR]

Sept 23, 2017 20:49:09 GMT peggs said:

I don't do musicals, no big dislike just would rather see a play so think knowing nothing rather expected a lot of razzmatazz and joy, bit low on the joy one Follies so really suited me quite well.

Parade could be right up your street.

[peggs]

Sept 25, 2017 18:12:33 GMT BurlyBeaR said:

Sept 23, 2017 20:49:09 GMT peggs said:

I don't do musicals, no big dislike just would rather see a play so think knowing nothing rather expected a lot of razzmatazz and joy, bit low on the joy one Follies so really suited me quite well.

Parade could be right up your street.

Will try and remember that for future reference thanks BurlyBeaR

[Deleted]

For those of you who love a touch of the Quast, grab your hankies now . . .

Galaxy Quast

[couldileaveyou]

Sept 26, 2017 17:17:39 GMT @ryan said:

For those of you who love a touch of the Quast, grab your hankies now . . .

Galaxy Quast

He must be the funny one at parties

[kelly52]

Saw it for my second time last night. I’m obsessed. Loved every moment of it. I keep finding new things in the piece despite hearing it for the first time 40 something years ago. Everyone and everything is magical in this very special production. Unforgettable. Ps Dawn Hope’s mic was a bit more balanced this time (certainly from where I was sitting). Def singing live⭐️

[theatrelover123]

Almost there......

[theatrelover123]

Not much longer......

[theatrelover123]

Yes!!!! I am the first poster on page 100. Yayyyyyyyyyyyyyy

[ali973]

So I must be the 700th person who saw this...

I was completely overwhelmed by it. Fabulously staged and acted for the most part. The ghosts tend to be slightly annoying and a cliche device. The old selves versus young selves cutting into each other's scenes was done well sporadically, Some of the book scenes between Buddy & Phil/Sally & Ben flipping back and forth was kind of clunky. The Loveland sequence was underproduced, considering the other stellar versions I've seen on YouTube. The male dancers could have been tighter. I was pretty disappointed in The Story of Lucy and Jessie, which could have been more exciting.

Otherwise, this is amazing stuff. Loved it.

[michalnowicki]

I've seen it last night and loved every second of it. I have never seen a full production of Follies (neither live nor bootleg) I was only aware of the songs and the general premise. I wish I could see it over and over again.
It was nice to see Imelda (I had no idea how wee she was... Weemelda!) perform on stage and singing with Mr Quast (swoon). Janie Dee was phenomenal as Phyllis. So much spite and bitterness.
Can't wait for NT live!

[Deleted]

I really liked this, and the more I've thought about it afterwards, the more I liked it. I didn't really know what to expect beyond having read the very basic synopsis.

I really liked the ghosts and the way they hovered around watching, the way the old and young selves watched each other mostly without interacting. The real standouts for me were older Phyllis and the older one in the red dress (agree with earlier comments about how bad the programme is - apart from a handful, I have no idea of characters' names or which cast member was which). There were some very funny one liners that I really liked, and some bits that made me massively tearful. I didn't enjoy the older lady's duet with her young self (couldn't understand what she was singing and wasn't keen on her voice) and I didn't particularly enjoy the Loveland sequence as much, especially Buddy's bit which was a bit too bonkers for me. I loved the set and the staging - the bit I really noticed was when the older selves were coming down the stairs at the front and the younger selves appeared at the back, they had the same movements in sync even though they couldn't see each other. I thought overall it was quite magical, and I've spent a lot of time since Saturday feeling quite melancholic and regretful about lost youth and opportunities and so on.

[lonlad]

Shame you didn't respond to ONE MORE KISS, which is the first song Sondheim wrote for the score and is a complete beaut.

[michalnowicki]

I keep thinking about this musical ever since I saw it. I think this was the first time I've seen Sondheim performed by such a talented cast. Listening to the songs on repeat I keep finding new things all the time. I really hope that the NT records the cast album - it would be such a treat.

I really liked the ghosts/younger selves - the way they just showed up - I would be focused on the "older" actors, when suddenly I would realise that there is someone in the background. Looking. Listening. Very eerie.

I must agree, that adding interval wouldn't feel right and the 2 hours flew past in an instant. The way Sally, Buddy, Phyllis and Ben spar on stage builds up a lot of tension, which I think would be lost if an interval was added.

Sondheim is a great composer and lyricist - he was definitely ahead of his time, given that Follies wasn't successful when it originally opened, but has such a fabulous revival. I really like the way he wrote male roles - my partner recently asked me why do I always listen to women singing in the musicals, and I told him that there is not a lot of male roles/songs that work for me - that is not the case with Follies. There is so much truth in "The Road You Didn't Take" - I keep listening to John McMartin performing it during Sondheim's birthday.

[loureviews]

I keep thinking about this production, too. Small things, big numbers. It was the little details which mattered, and I completely believed in what I was seeing. Everyone contributed really well and were given something concrete in their pasts to play with, even Solange and Weissman.

It contains Sondheim's best songs, I feel, and they were delivered superbly.

[shady23]

Was hoping to see this again but with it not being on every night I am not sure the dates are going to fit so the cinema it is!

The date my Hamilton ticket has been changed to means I can go to the talk with Tracie Bennett so happy about that.

[shady23]

Was looking at the prices for NT Live. Eighteen odd quid. Wow! That's more than I paid for my seat to see the actual show.

[Deleted]

Sept 27, 2017 10:34:36 GMT @theatremonkey said:

Sept 27, 2017 8:47:40 GMT ali973 said:

The Loveland sequence was underproduced

Ah, that's an interesting take on it, ali973 . It's been bugging me since Saturday. I put it down to a total change of pace and style that jarred - but your idea that it is simply underproduced is a pretty good one. Thanks.

I don't think it was underproduced at all. Loveland is a total change of pace and as such demands a change of style. After the opening which prepares us for the look back to the past and the pessimistic reality of the present I found the light, airy change of scene was totally in tune with the optimism of the 4 protagonists. The lyrics of Loveland and You're Gonna Love Tomorrow/Love Will See Us Through are supposed to alleviate the tension that has been mounting up between the two couples. Not having an OTT scenery change made me appreciate the songs more and certainly added to each Folly that came along afterwards. The Shaftesbury Theatre  version had a far more spectacular Loveland sequence and while I didn't come out humming the scenery, I found the songs seemed to take second place. This didn't happen for me with this new version at the National and for the first time I think I understood the emotion behind Losing My Mind. I just have the feeling that sometimes simple is better but of course that's my personal opinion.