Verdict for Follies

Acting / Singing :) :) :)
Directed by Paul Kerryson
One of the creative team at the Leicester Haymarket who always bought us the highest standard in the musical world. Mr Kerryson has really bought the show alive with his slick direction.

As usual the acting and singing of Kathryn Evans top the show. When Ms Evans came down the stairs to sing Loosing My Mind, you know she is every bit a star.

Henry Goodman again was the great actor. He was great as Billy Flynn in Chicago with one or two songs, but singing the whole time made me enjoy Mr Goodman acting more than singing. The number The Right Girl is not as simple as it seemed: Mr Goodman lacks a certain magic to bring the song into full swing.

Louis Gold was perfectly cast as Phyllis and her rendition Could I Leave You was as good as the original Broadway Phyllis and more. However The Story of Lucy and Jessie that I think is the most difficult song in the whole score has put a tight spot on Ms Gold.

By comparison Mr Davis Durham's performance was on the down compared with the other 3 leads.

The rest of the cast was perfect, especially the young Sally and Phyllis performed by Emma Clifford and Kerry Jay. Julia Goss, Diane Langton, Anna Nicholas, Shezwae Powell, Myra Anda were great but Joan Savage stole briefly the limelight when she sang Broadway Baby.

Production :) :) :) :)
West End standard, the show should run longer.

Music :) :) :)
by Stephen Sondheim
I am not a big Sondheim fan: I usually find only one or two classics in every show of his. But through out Follies every single song is a hit.
Musical director is Julian Kelly

Story :) :)
by James Goldman,
Great theme! If I have to be critical I find the first half of the show was better. It seemed that the other characters disappeared in the second act except for Carlotta and Heidi.

Choreography :) :) :) :)
by Davis Needham
Great dance numbers.

Costume design :) :) :)
by Paul Farnsworth

Lighting :) :) :) :)
by Jenny Cane
The lighting really set the mood of the show. For a show with a limited budget, the lighting really gives the show it's sparkle.

Photography :) :) :) :)
by Richard Haughton
Best work I have seen in years, the poster really sets the mood for the show. For the first few time, a director know the importance of using the photographic medium how to sell a show.

reviewed on 3/8/2002