Follies

[shady23]

This is exactly what the discussion was at the talk this afternoon with Josephine Barstow and Tracie Bennett. Fascinating stuff.

Worth the money alone to hear Tracey's story about caterpulting over a load of lunching nuns to retrieve her case from a thief!

[shady23]

Also no plans they are aware of for a cast recording or dvd release.

[macksennett]

Now I want to know what happened to Tracie's case!!!

[shady23]

She auditioned for young Sally (I think) when she was younger and travelled down from Manchester. She was having food in a cafe nearby that was full of nuns. She saw a man put his coat over her bag then lift her case up with it and head for the door. She leaped up knocking nuns out the way and battled with the robber to get her case back as it had her Christmas presents in. She got it back. The police arrived and as she had evidence of the crime (his coat and hat) she got an escort to the theatre by the police although only later she realised she had blood all over her face and her nose was bent. It was at that moment she realised she was destined to be in this production 😂

She does make me giggle!

[julian]

Me too!!

[michalnowicki]

[zuberin0]

Dec 8, 2017 16:23:46 GMT danieljohnson14 said:

I wont get the chance now I don't think to go back, but I wish I had as, having seen it way back in previews, the further away I get from it, the more disappointed I am by it. I can pretty much only remember the set, Tracie and Janie. That's it. The musical itself is blah at best, and the best part of this specific production for me was the design and the two performances mentioned. I can't really remember Imelda that much anymore bar Losing My Mind, and I couldn't even tell you what the two male leads looked like, let alone did in the show. I feel bad saying that because this was set up to be THE show of the year. But whilst I enjoyed it at the time, its just faded from me now, which shouldn't happen so soon to be truly remarkable.

Very true. Went last week, fully prepared for a religious experience akin to Merrily We Roll Along. Came away mildly deflated.


Also, they REALLY needed to figure out where to put in an interval. That was a brutal decision to run for 135 mins straight. 

[AddisonMizner]

I really don’t get th issue regarding the lack of an interval with this show. An average film runs at the same length all the way through, and most people seem to manage it. Plus, dramatically FOLLIES works without one, and I’m not sure that it would have the same impact if given an interval. I didn’t write about the production when I saw it, but needless to say that I loved it!

[andrew]

I think it’s been established on here that there’s a section of theatregoers who do not want to sit for much more than 90 minutes without a break. I’m not one of them, but there’s clearly a lot. I think some people that are enjoying it a lot anyway forgive the length, and those that are less impressed want a break, in general.

[martin1965]

Dec 23, 2017 16:05:47 GMT AddisonMizner said:

I really don’t get th issue regarding the lack of an interval with this show. An average film runs at the same length all the way through, and most people seem to manage it. Plus, dramatically FOLLIES works without one, and I’m not sure that it would have the same impact if given an interval. I didn’t write about the production when I saw it, but needless to say that I loved it!

Hear bloody hear!

[loureviews]

I went quite a while ago and can remember the production very clearly. Sad to hear there are no plans for CD or DVD release.

[janefonda]

I’m really shocked and disgusted that you could say such hurtful things about such an incredibly talented performer as Alex Young. I think it’s a shame that in the theatre and TV world, women are only allowed to exist in two categories: THIN (and by that I mean a size 8 maximum) ingenues and FAT (and by that I mean anything over a size 10) funny characters. Why should women only be considered desirable if they are thin and traditionally ‘pretty’? Why not a tiny bit curvy and interesting and talented? Not that I’m criticising the lovely Zizzi, I think she’s gorgeous too. But what was so wonderful about Follies was that it celebrated women of all shapes and sizes and ages and talents. It’s old fashioned, offensive views like yours that mean the theatre world is stuck in the past. I rejoiced to see a younger version of Sally played with the same emotional intensity as Imelda and I think Alex captured that perfectly. What a performance.

Sept 7, 2017 13:02:42 GMT Stasia said:

Saw this last week and stand with those who left slightly underwhelmed. Yes, I felt the greatness of the show itself, I awed Imelda and adored both Janie Dee and her younger Strallen version, I even shed a couple of tears listening to Josephine Barstow's One Last Kiss... But still I was not emotionally involved with Sallie's story, and I blame Alex young for that.

I am really sorry to say that and I know that a lot of people like her but for me she was miscast. She walked so ungracefully with no stature, seemed very heavy and couldn't take a decent pose and she looked so unlike Follies girl for me that I couldn't even imagine her being a dancer or being attractive in Ben's eyes. Especially as there was young gracious Phyllis around, and she was just as perfect as I thought the character should be.

Oh, and I haven't noticed any exceptional magic and momentum that couldn't have been broken by inserting the interval. There is almost no pace for the first half of the show so why not add it?

To sum it up, I appreciate the greatness of the show and I am happy I had a chance to see it but this is not something I would recommend to to others or will talk much about (except for "omg I had an evening with Imelda on stage and she made me loose my mind about her - again).

[Deleted]

Dec 27, 2017 16:28:36 GMT janefonda said:

I’m really shocked and disgusted that you could say such hurtful things about such an incredibly talented performer as Alex Young. I think it’s a shame that in the theatre and TV world, women are only allowed to exist in two categories: THIN (and by that I mean a size 8 maximum) ingenues and FAT (and by that I mean anything over a size 10) funny characters. Why should women only be considered desirable if they are thin and traditionally ‘pretty’? Why not a tiny bit curvy and interesting and talented? Not that I’m criticising the lovely Zizzi, I think she’s gorgeous too. But what was so wonderful about Follies was that it celebrated women of all shapes and sizes and ages and talents. It’s old fashioned, offensive views like yours that mean the theatre world is stuck in the past. I rejoiced to see a younger version of Sally played with the same emotional intensity as Imelda and I think Alex captured that perfectly. What a performance.

Sept 7, 2017 13:02:42 GMT Stasia said:

Saw this last week and stand with those who left slightly underwhelmed. Yes, I felt the greatness of the show itself, I awed Imelda and adored both Janie Dee and her younger Strallen version, I even shed a couple of tears listening to Josephine Barstow's One Last Kiss... But still I was not emotionally involved with Sallie's story, and I blame Alex young for that.

I am really sorry to say that and I know that a lot of people like her but for me she was miscast. She walked so ungracefully with no stature, seemed very heavy and couldn't take a decent pose and she looked so unlike Follies girl for me that I couldn't even imagine her being a dancer or being attractive in Ben's eyes. Especially as there was young gracious Phyllis around, and she was just as perfect as I thought the character should be.

Oh, and I haven't noticed any exceptional magic and momentum that couldn't have been broken by inserting the interval. There is almost no pace for the first half of the show so why not add it?

To sum it up, I appreciate the greatness of the show and I am happy I had a chance to see it but this is not something I would recommend to to others or will talk much about (except for "omg I had an evening with Imelda on stage and she made me loose my mind about her - again).

Wow. Yes I have to agree with janefonda (great name by the way!) I don't know Alex's work, but having looked up her pictures on google I'm honestly a bit appalled that she's considered 'heavy' first of all and that 'heavy' equates with 'unattractive' and 'unsuitable love interest' in your eyes Stasia not everyone conforms to traditional beauty standards for a start...but looking at the frankly gorgeous, Alex I do wonder what goes on in some people's heads that a bit of extra weight makes them SO repellent? shame you think that way, disappointing in fact I thought more of you than that. 

[Deleted]

I read Stasia's comment as referring to a lack of grace rather than anything physique-related, especially in context of the rest of that particular sentence. Someone can be the skinniest minnie in the world, but if they stomp around like they're wearing combat boots, then it can make it hard for people to believe the character they're playing is a skilled dancer. I've only ever performed as an amateur but I've been told off by directors for my "masculine stride" more than once. Also, Stasia's first language isn't English, and frankly it's easy enough for two native speakers to misunderstand each other on an online forum; based on that and her good nature generally, I fear she may have expressed her point in a misinterpretable way rather than choosing this particular hill to die on, declaring that only thin women are allowed to play desirable characters or whatever.

[sf]

Dec 27, 2017 16:34:18 GMT @emicardiff said:

Dec 27, 2017 16:28:36 GMT janefonda said:

I’m really shocked and disgusted that you could say such hurtful things about such an incredibly talented performer as Alex Young. I think it’s a shame that in the theatre and TV world, women are only allowed to exist in two categories: THIN (and by that I mean a size 8 maximum) ingenues and FAT (and by that I mean anything over a size 10) funny characters. Why should women only be considered desirable if they are thin and traditionally ‘pretty’? Why not a tiny bit curvy and interesting and talented? Not that I’m criticising the lovely Zizzi, I think she’s gorgeous too. But what was so wonderful about Follies was that it celebrated women of all shapes and sizes and ages and talents. It’s old fashioned, offensive views like yours that mean the theatre world is stuck in the past. I rejoiced to see a younger version of Sally played with the same emotional intensity as Imelda and I think Alex captured that perfectly. What a performance.

Wow. Yes I have to agree with janefonda (great name by the way!) I don't know Alex's work, but having looked up her pictures on google I'm honestly a bit appalled that she's considered 'heavy' first of all and that 'heavy' equates with 'unattractive' and 'unsuitable love interest' in your eyes Stasia not everyone conforms to traditional beauty standards for a start...but looking at the frankly gorgeous, Alex I do wonder what goes on in some people's heads that a bit of extra weight makes them SO repellent? shame you think that way, disappointing in fact I thought more of you than that. 

Not to mention that society's (entirely artificial) "standards" for female beauty change from decade to decade. If you look at magazine photographs, fashion shoots, pin-ups etc, the American ideal of feminine beauty in 1941 looked more like Ms. Young than Ms. Strallen.

(And they're both beautiful women, and they're both giving very, very fine performances.)

[distantcousin]

Dec 27, 2017 22:55:01 GMT @baemax said:

I read Stasia's comment as referring to a lack of grace rather than anything physique-related, especially in context of the rest of that particular sentence. Someone can be the skinniest minnie in the world, but if they stomp around like they're wearing combat boots, then it can make it hard for people to believe the character they're playing is a skilled dancer. I've only ever performed as an amateur but I've been told off by directors for my "masculine stride" more than once. Also, Stasia's first language isn't English, and frankly it's easy enough for two native speakers to misunderstand each other on an online forum; based on that and her good nature generally, I fear she may have expressed her point in a misinterpretable way rather than choosing this particular hill to die on, declaring that only thin women are allowed to play desirable characters or whatever.

Agree on all counts.

[Stasia]

Dec 27, 2017 16:34:18 GMT @emicardiff said:

Dec 27, 2017 16:28:36 GMT janefonda said:

I’m really shocked and disgusted that you could say such hurtful things about such an incredibly talented performer as Alex Young. I think it’s a shame that in the theatre and TV world, women are only allowed to exist in two categories: THIN (and by that I mean a size 8 maximum) ingenues and FAT (and by that I mean anything over a size 10) funny characters. Why should women only be considered desirable if they are thin and traditionally ‘pretty’? Why not a tiny bit curvy and interesting and talented? Not that I’m criticising the lovely Zizzi, I think she’s gorgeous too. But what was so wonderful about Follies was that it celebrated women of all shapes and sizes and ages and talents. It’s old fashioned, offensive views like yours that mean the theatre world is stuck in the past. I rejoiced to see a younger version of Sally played with the same emotional intensity as Imelda and I think Alex captured that perfectly. What a performance.

Wow. Yes I have to agree with janefonda (great name by the way!) I don't know Alex's work, but having looked up her pictures on google I'm honestly a bit appalled that she's considered 'heavy' first of all and that 'heavy' equates with 'unattractive' and 'unsuitable love interest' in your eyes Stasia not everyone conforms to traditional beauty standards for a start...but looking at the frankly gorgeous, Alex I do wonder what goes on in some people's heads that a bit of extra weight makes them SO repellent? shame you think that way, disappointing in fact I thought more of you than that. 

Actually "heavy" was about the way she moved, not the weight. I was not critisizing her weight and figure, if you read again what I said in there, you will notice, that I was talking about the picture she was creating by her acting plus her movements and her looks as a whole, and the heroine didn't work for me, I didn't feel her and that's why I didn't feel she was interesting as a person for the guy she wanted to be in love with her. I didn't feel her performance to be as talented as Phyllis. This is how I saw young Sally, not who Alex really is, and I also said that this was my personal view.

Alex is not curvy, she is not overwheight. But I did not see her as the Follies girl who wows the audiences, because she didn't win me as lots of other girls of different sizes do. 

I was talking about the way she moved. I was not mentioning weight and nothing of what you suggest I think is what I really think, @emicardiff. Especially with my own curves.

Guys, you are seriously forgetting I am not a native language speaker, so please ask if I really said what you think I said, before throwing all this at me. The things janefonda and @emicardiff said are quite hurtful for me. So yeah, I am disappointed, too.

[Stasia]

Dec 27, 2017 22:55:01 GMT @baemax said:

I read Stasia's comment as referring to a lack of grace rather than anything physique-related, especially in context of the rest of that particular sentence. Someone can be the skinniest minnie in the world, but if they stomp around like they're wearing combat boots, then it can make it hard for people to believe the character they're playing is a skilled dancer. I've only ever performed as an amateur but I've been told off by directors for my "masculine stride" more than once. Also, Stasia's first language isn't English, and frankly it's easy enough for two native speakers to misunderstand each other on an online forum; based on that and her good nature generally, I fear she may have expressed her point in a misinterpretable way rather than choosing this particular hill to die on, declaring that only thin women are allowed to play desirable characters or whatever.

Oh thanks a lot! At least someone here understands what I am trying to say. I was talking about the grace, and by no means I think only thin woman are desirable. My personal motto for ages was "big, blonde and beautiful", I even used this as a signature on some boards at some point. (and by that I didn't mean that non-blondes are not beautiful, as you may guess).


But to be honest, after what I read just now, I am not going to post anything except "wow, that was nice". I really feel like I was slapped in the face by janefonda and @emicardiff. The things I said about the character on stage were way lighter then the ones they throw at me.

[Deleted]

Dec 28, 2017 11:46:18 GMT Stasia said:

Dec 27, 2017 22:55:01 GMT @baemax said:

I read Stasia's comment as referring to a lack of grace rather than anything physique-related, especially in context of the rest of that particular sentence. Someone can be the skinniest minnie in the world, but if they stomp around like they're wearing combat boots, then it can make it hard for people to believe the character they're playing is a skilled dancer. I've only ever performed as an amateur but I've been told off by directors for my "masculine stride" more than once. Also, Stasia's first language isn't English, and frankly it's easy enough for two native speakers to misunderstand each other on an online forum; based on that and her good nature generally, I fear she may have expressed her point in a misinterpretable way rather than choosing this particular hill to die on, declaring that only thin women are allowed to play desirable characters or whatever.

Oh thanks a lot! At least someone here understands what I am trying to say. I was talking about the grace, and by no means I think only thin woman are desirable. My personal motto for ages was "big, blonde and beautiful", I even used this as a signature on some boards at some point. (and by that I didn't mean that non-blondes are not beautiful, as you may guess).


But to be honest, after what I read just now, I am not going to post anything except "wow, that was nice". I really feel like I was slapped in the face by janefonda and @emicardiff . The things I said about the character on stage were way lighter then the ones they throw at me.

Ok there's no need to be quite so dramatic about it. I apologise if it came off like that, but I'm sure you can appreciate those of us who have been bullied etc for being 'fat' sometimes take it quite personally when someone thinks that. I appreciate I got it wrong and apologise for that, and for any offence caused. 

[Deleted]

Dec 27, 2017 22:55:01 GMT @baemax said:

I read Stasia's comment as referring to a lack of grace rather than anything physique-related, especially in context of the rest of that particular sentence. Someone can be the skinniest minnie in the world, but if they stomp around like they're wearing combat boots, then it can make it hard for people to believe the character they're playing is a skilled dancer. I've only ever performed as an amateur but I've been told off by directors for my "masculine stride" more than once. Also, Stasia's first language isn't English, and frankly it's easy enough for two native speakers to misunderstand each other on an online forum; based on that and her good nature generally, I fear she may have expressed her point in a misinterpretable way rather than choosing this particular hill to die on, declaring that only thin women are allowed to play desirable characters or whatever.

That's fair, and I've apologised to Stasia for misinterpreting (which as you say is easy enough to do for any of us). It did read as 'SHE is heavy' when I first looked but I completely get how 'She moves in a heavy way' is actually what was meant. Easy enough to get wrong on my part as well. And as I said above, when it's a particular 'sore spot' personally, being called an unattractive fatty, it's VERY easy to take comments like that the wrong way. 

So again sorry to Stasia I got it wrong, and it unfortunately hit on a sensitive issue for me so I was defensive. But hopefully, no harm done if we can all accept we get things arse-backwards sometimes. 

I'm off to see Follies finally tomorrow so I can make up my own mind whether poor old Alex does indeed dance like a Moose or whatever  

[Stasia]

Dec 28, 2017 12:03:40 GMT @emicardiff said:

Dec 27, 2017 22:55:01 GMT @baemax said:

I read Stasia's comment as referring to a lack of grace rather than anything physique-related, especially in context of the rest of that particular sentence. Someone can be the skinniest minnie in the world, but if they stomp around like they're wearing combat boots, then it can make it hard for people to believe the character they're playing is a skilled dancer. I've only ever performed as an amateur but I've been told off by directors for my "masculine stride" more than once. Also, Stasia's first language isn't English, and frankly it's easy enough for two native speakers to misunderstand each other on an online forum; based on that and her good nature generally, I fear she may have expressed her point in a misinterpretable way rather than choosing this particular hill to die on, declaring that only thin women are allowed to play desirable characters or whatever.

That's fair, and I've apologised to Stasia for misinterpreting (which as you say is easy enough to do for any of us). It did read as 'SHE is heavy' when I first looked but I completely get how 'She moves in a heavy way' is actually what was meant. Easy enough to get wrong on my part as well. And as I said above, when it's a particular 'sore spot' personally, being called an unattractive fatty, it's VERY easy to take comments like that the wrong way. 

So again sorry to Stasia I got it wrong, and it unfortunately hit on a sensitive issue for me so I was defensive. But hopefully, no harm done if we can all accept we get things arse-backwards sometimes. 

I'm off to see Follies finally tomorrow so I can make up my own mind whether poor old Alex does indeed dance like a Moose or whatever  

We're good now And looking forward to hear your thoughts on the show as a whole.

[Mr Snow]

I have to agree there was something not right about the characterisation of young Sally. I understand why Buddy stayed with her, but I did say to the Marchioness Snow that I couldn't understand what he saw to fall in love with in the first place. I think Stasia is on point because I just can't see why a director would want to portray the character as someone who would not have passed the audition to be a Weisman Girl.

[vabbian]

I think this works really well on the Olivier stage.

The lighting is beautiful I felt like I was in a dream!

[Deleted]

Janie Dee is a goddess who will belt you into next week and wipe the floor with you.

Also Phillip Quast still has a voice that could frankly get a girl in trouble.

I have more articulate thoughts but basically Kanie Dee is a goddess. (Imelda ain’t half bad too)

[allthatjazz]

Saw this last night and was completely blown away. What a show. Even though I love Sondheim, I hadn’t had much exposure to Follies and was unsure what to expect. Loved it. Philip Quast was amazing, and I’m so thrilled to have seen him perform live (the Royal Albert Hall Les Mis 10th Anniversary concert was a mainstay in our home growing up). Was very impressed by Imelda - had never heard her sing before but thought she was wonderful. And Janie Dee - I second emicardiff in saying she’s a goddess. That was a heck of a performance. My mother, who is lukewarm on Sondheim at best, also enjoyed it immensely, which is just a testament to how good everyone was.

This is my first trip to London and my first show over here (seeing Hamilton and Network before heading back to the States). Can’t think of a better way to have kicked it off.