Picture: Johan Persson
Cast members of the National Theatre’s award-winning production Follies will celebrate the critically-acclaimed production in a special show as part of the Underbelly Festival Southbank from 13-16 May 2019.
Presented by Janie Dee who will also join Follies’ co-stars including Alex Hanson and Joanna Riding, On Reflection will offer audiences the chance to glimpse behind the scenes of the winner of the 2018 Olivier Awards for Best Musical Revival and Best Costume Design.
Announcing the show, Underbelly directors Ed Bartlam and Charlie Wood said: “We could not be more delighted to welcome the cast of Follies to Underbelly Festival Southbank, only a stone’s throw from the National Theatre. The Spiegeltent offers a unique, intimate performance environment – and what better setting for this amazing group of artists to pull back the curtain on their journey through Follies.”
Directed by Josh Seymour with musical direction by Stefan Bednarczyk, the evening of song and dance will feature the personal stories of the performers set to the songs of Follies.
Commenting on her involvement in the project, Dee said: “The experience of Follies has been epic. To celebrate and reflect on this incredible piece and the success of our production, we have put together a piece where we speak and sing individually about our lives and careers, and how Follies echoed and resonated.
“Sometimes hilarious and sometimes moving but always personal. We hope that you will come and join us to listen to the stories of dancers…singers…actors… who find themselves looking back after the show closes. Maybe elongating the moment before having to let go.”
Featuring the timeless music of Stephen Sondheim with a book by James Goldman, Follies debuted on Broadway in 1971 in a production directed by Harold Prince and Michael Bennett who also provided the choreography. The musical won seven of the 11 Tony Awards it was nominated for and includes the standards ‘Broadway Baby’, ‘I’m Still Here’, ‘Too Many Mornings’, ‘Could I Leave You?’, and ‘Losing My Mind’.
The show debuted in the West End in 1987 and there have been a number of successful revival productions including two on Broadway in 2001 and 2011 and one in the West End in 2002.
Now in its eleventh year, Underbelly Festival Southbank brings the finest in musical theatre, circus, cabaret, comedy and music to the heart of London.
Angela Thomas
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