REVIEW: Follies, National Theatre ✭✭✭✭✭

Stephen Sondheim's Follies at National Theatre

Follies National Theatre, 8th September 2017 5 Stars Book Follies Tickets Folly is an interesting concept: it has fascinated the western mind all the way from Erasmus of Rotterdam’s philosphical contemplation, through the artificial landscaping constructions that adorn the estates of Stowe and Stourhead, Ermenonville and Versailles, to the variety entertainments of late 19th century Paris, and into the area which principally concerns this epic musical divertissement based upon the idea: the expensive and spectacular early 20th century Broadway revues of Florenz Ziegfeld. Oddly, a lot of time seems to have been spent worrying about whether this show, with music and lyrics by Stephen Sondheim and a book – or at least ‘scenes’ – by James Goldman, is ‘really’ a musical or just some kind of astonishing hybrid failure: its original producer Harold Prince dubbed it a ‘long-running flop’.  While these practical questions have merit, they detract from the actual … Read more

FIRST LOOK: Stephen Sondheim’s Follies at the National Theatre

Stephen Sondheim's Follies at National Theatre

Enjoy Johan Persson’s gorgeous first look production photos of Follies at the Olivier Theatre. 1971, New York. 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. Follies features a book by James Goldman, music and lyrics by Stephen Sondheim, design by Vicki Mortimer, choreography by Bill Deamer, musical supervision by Nicholas Skilbeck, orchestrations by Jonathan Tunick, musical direction by Nigel Lilley, lighting by Paule Constable and sound by Paul Groothius. Follies returns to the National Theatre in February 2019 FOLLIES TICKETS

Douglas Henshall joins Bryan Cranston and Michelle Dockery in Network

Douglas Henshall joins Bryan Cranston and Michelle Dockery in Network at National Theatre

The National Theatre have announced that Douglas Henshall will play Max Schumacher in the world premiere of Network – Lee Hall’s new adaptation of the Oscar-winning film by Paddy Chayefsky. Henshall joins Tony Award winner Bryan Cranston as Howard Beale and Michelle Dockery as Diana Christenson. Network will be directed by Ivo Van Hove. Howard Beale, news anchor-man, isn’t pulling in the viewers. In his final broadcast he unravels live on screen. But when the ratings soar, the network seizes on their new found populist prophet, and Howard becomes the biggest thing on TV. Network depicts a dystopian media landscape where opinion trumps fact. Hilarious and horrifying by turns, the iconic film by Paddy Chayefsky won four Academy Awards in 1976. Network will have set and lighting design by Jan Versweyveld, video design by Tal Yarden, costume design by An D’Huys, music and sound design by Eric Sleichim. A very … Read more

Rehearsals begin for War Horse UK Tour 2017-19

War Horse UK Tour Cast

Rehearsals began this week for the War Horse UK Tour. The National Theatre’s critically acclaimed production opens on the 15 September 2017 at the Marlowe Theatre in Canterbury and will tour until 2019. So large is the company of War Horse that a special 470 square metre rehearsal space has been custom built to accomodate the 34 cast and enormouse crew of the show. Making up the cast of War Horse are Thomas Dennis who is fresh from playing Christopher Boone in the National Theatre’s West End production of The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time in the central role of Albert Narracott with fellow Curious cast member Jo Castleton as his mother Rose Narracott. Celebrated folk musician, Bob Fox, returns as Song Man.  They are joined by:  Marcus Adolphy (Carter), Adam Barlow (Greig/Schweyk/Sergeant Fine), Peter Becker (Friedrich), Joelle Brabban (Emilie), Lucas Button (Joey Hind), Jasper William Cartwright … Read more