Tweet

RFH Stages First London Follies in 15 Years, 6 Aug

A new production of Stephen Sondheim's classic Broadway musical Follies will have a strictly limited, four-week season at London's Royal Festival Hall this summer. Produced by impresario Raymond Gubbay, Follies will run from 6 August to 31 August 2002 (previews from 3 August).

Originally produced on Broadway by Harold Prince in 1971, Follies is set in the once lavish, but now crumbling, Weissman Theatre, where memories from the stage's glorious past return when the showgirls from decades ago reunite to reminisce, just one last time. The score features several now classic numbers including "Broadway Baby", "I'm Still Here" and "Losing My Mind".

This will be only the second major London production of Follies ever and the first for 15 years. It will be directed by Paul Kerryson with design by Paul Farnsworth and musical direction by Julian Kelly. Casting has not yet been announced.

Follies features a book by James Goldman and music and lyrics by Sondheim. Along with Company (1970), the musical was one of Sondheim's first critical successes in which he provided both music and lyrics. A series of now-legendary musicals followed, including A Little Night Music, Sweeney Todd, Sunday in the Park with George, Into the Woods, Assassins and Passion.

- by Terri Paddock

Related Content