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Review – Follies by Stephen Sondheim For Potters Bar Edition of Welwyn Hatfield Times
From having been unimpressed in the past with Stephen Sondheim’s shows, I am now realising there is more to Sondheim than meets the ear! All this has been brought about by enjoying the opportunity last year of seeing a production in St Albans of his 1987 show, Into the Woods and this week having the pleasure of seeing his elaborate 1971 musical, Follies, performed by Potters Bar Theatre Company. Innovatively directed by Lorraine Bottomley, the four principals were of a high calibre, supported by a talented cast of forty, all of whom contributed magnificently to the success of this glamorous, glitzy musical. The plot examines the lives of two former showgirls, Sally and Phyllis who revisit the scene of their youth at a ‘first and last reunion’ of the Wiessman Follies, in the New York theatre where they had performed, before its demolition. Obviously based upon the famous Ziegfield Follies the re-grouping of the company gave opportunity for re-enacting, reminiscing and regrets of the past as memories are reawakened. Well cast in the roles of Sally (Sharon Lottari) and Phyllis (Debbie Oakes) both actresses gave poignant performances as they wondered whether they had made the right marital choices. Sally yearned to recapture the love she felt for Phyllis’s husband, Ben (David Bottomley), disregarding the genuine care and love of her husband, Buddy (David Macklin). Both husbands accompanied their wives at the reunion revealing in soliloquies their own frustrations and regrets, Ben singing the lonely “The Road you didn’t take” with emotion, whilst Buddy hides his unhappiness with an extra marital relationship. Hiding her love from the estranged Ben behind a harsh exterior, Phyllis too asks “Could I leave you?” in song. Physically matching their mature counterparts were Dawn Eldridge as Young Sally; Jenny Colledge, Young Phyllis; Matt Greenbank, Young Buddy and Nick Wells as Young Ben. This was a well-co-ordinated and effective device, exploring their lives in flashback with songs and dances from the chorus recreating theatrical triumphs of the past. The reflective moments of self-analysis were poignantly and moving portrayed as each character came to terms with reality and the realisation of what they have is what they really wanted. The clever lyrics were highlighted in Doreen Webster’s Hattie, singing “Broadway Babe” and the ever versatile Catherine Little as Carlotta singing “I’m still Here’ was memorable as also was Jackie West as Stella singing “Who’s That Woman” in a great dance routine with mirrors. The folly of love was summed up in a medley of appropriate numbers in the Loveland scene, a garish example of romanticised shmaltz, reminiscent of Hollywood musicals of yesteryear. It was in this episode that some of the numbers were too long and repetitive, but that’s Sondheim for you! All’s well that ends well and although I hate to admit this to my American friends, and whisper it only behind closed doors, but I really enjoyed this show – OK Sondheim, you’ve got me! Wendy Keeling Taylor April 2006. |
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April 2006 Follies |
