Follies – New York, 1971. There’s a party on the stage of the Weissman Theatre. Tomorrow the iconic building will be demolished. Thirty years after their final performance, the Follies girls gather to have a few drinks, sing a few songs and lie about themselves. Including such classic songs as Broadway Baby, I’m Still Here and Losing My Mind, Stephen Sondheim’s legendary musical is staged for the first time at the NT. Tracie Bennett, Janie Dee and Imelda Staunton play the magnificent Follies in this dazzling new production.
Featuring a cast of 37 and an orchestra of 21, Follies is directed by Dominic Cooke (Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom). Winner of Academy, Tony, Grammy and Olivier awards, Sondheim’s previous work at the NT includes A Little Night Music, Sweeney Todd and Sunday in the Park with George.
1. FOLLIES by Sondheim ; Directed by Dominic Cooke ; Designed by Vicki Mortimer ; at the National Theatre, London, UK ; 19 July 2017 ; Credit : Johan Persson
3. Tracie Bennett FOLLIES - photo by Johan Persson
2. FOLLIES by Sondheim ; Directed by Dominic Cooke ; Designed by Vicki Mortimer ; at the National Theatre, London, UK ; 19 July 2017 ; Credit : Johan Persson
18. (l-r) Bruce Graham, Peter Forbes, Billy Boyle, Josephine Barstow, Di Botcher and Norma Atallah FOLLIES - photo by Johan Persson
3. FOLLIES by Sondheim ; Directed by Dominic Cooke ; Designed by Vicki Mortimer ; at the National Theatre, London, UK ; 19 July 2017 ; Credit : Johan Persson
15. (l-r) Dominic Cooke (Director) and Bill Deamer (Choreographer) FOLLIES - photo by Johan Persson
4. FOLLIES by Sondheim ; Directed by Dominic Cooke ; Designed by Vicki Mortimer ; at the National Theatre, London, UK ; 19 July 2017 ; Credit : Johan Persson
20. (l-r) Di Botcher and Geraldine Fitzgerald FOLLIES - photo by Johan Persson
5. FOLLIES by Sondheim ; Directed by Dominic Cooke ; Designed by Vicki Mortimer ; at the National Theatre, London, UK ; 19 July 2017 ; Credit : Johan Persson
1. (l-r) Dawn Hope, Imelda Staunton and Emily Goodenough rehearse FOLLIES - photo by Johan Persson
6. FOLLIES by Sondheim ; Directed by Dominic Cooke ; Designed by Vicki Mortimer ; at the National Theatre, London, UK ; 19 July 2017 ; Credit : Johan Persson
4. (l-r) Imelda Staunton and Liz Ewing FOLLIES - photo by Johan Persson
7. FOLLIES by Sondheim ; Directed by Dominic Cooke ; Designed by Vicki Mortimer ; at the National Theatre, London, UK ; 19 July 2017 ; Credit : Johan Persson
8. The company rehearsing FOLLIES - photo by Johan Persson
8. FOLLIES by Sondheim ; Directed by Dominic Cooke ; Designed by Vicki Mortimer ; at the National Theatre, London, UK ; 19 July 2017 ; Credit : Johan Persson
11. (l-r) Fred Haig, Alex Young and Adam Rhys-Charles rehearse FOLLIES - photo by Johan Persson