West End stars Anna-Jane Casey and Annette McLaughlin will lead the cast of Northern Ireland Opera’s upcoming revival of Stephen Sondheim’s Broadway smash Follies.
Casey (Cats, Chicago) and McLaughlin (Matilda The Musical, Harry Potter and the Cursed Child) will play former roommates and showgirls Sally Plummer and Phyllis Stone in the production which will play Belfast’s Grand Opera House from 13 to 20 September.
The first time the classic theatre-set musical has been staged professionally in Northern Ireland and the first UK revival of the musical in eight years will also star Belfast’s own Mark Dugdale (Come From Away, Phoenix Theatre, Jesus Christ Superstar, Regent’s Park Open Air Theatre) and fellow West End actor Alasdair Harvey (Come From Away, Phoenix Theatre, Sunday in the Park With George, at the Menier Chocolate Factory/Wyndham’s Theatre) as best friends Buddy Palmer and Benjamin Stone.
They will be joined by one of the UK’s finest jazz vocalists, Jacqueline Dankworth who will return to the stage in her first Sondheim musical in 30 years after featuring in the original West End production of Into the Woods. Dankworth will play take on the role of Carlotta Campion alongside West End performer and TV Belfast-based actress Allison Harding (Into the Woods, NI Opera, Sister Act, London Palladium/UK tour) showgirl Hattie Walker. Further casting will be announced soon.
Featuring the Orchestra of Northern Ireland Opera – a full-scale ensemble of 35 local musicians – the production will be directed by the opera company’s artistic director Cameron Menzies. Leading West End musical director Greg Arrowsmith will join the creative team which will also include West End choreographer Jennifer Rooney and set designer Niall McKeever. This show marks McKeever’s fifth magical collaboration for the organisation following on from acclaimed productions of Eugene Onegin, Tosca, La Traviata and Into the Woods.
Commenting on the production, the chief executive of the Grand Opera House, Ian Wilson said: “We are delighted to welcome Northern Ireland Opera back to their home in September with an unmissable production of Follies. Mounting the first ever professional production of the Sondheim musical in Northern Ireland demonstrates the variety of work and ambition which Cameron has brought to the company over the past few years.”
On behalf of Northern Ireland Opera’s principal funder, the Arts Council of Northern Ireland, the head of music and opera Ciaran Scullion added: “The Arts Council of Northern Ireland is proud to be principal funder of Northern Ireland Opera who continue to bring audiences here ambitious, thrilling productions and performances. Thanks to the hugely talented cast, musicians and creative team, Follies, in the stunning surroundings of the Grand Opera House, promises to be a spectacular show and I would encourage everyone to go along and experience this unmissable show this September.”
Featuring music and lyrics by Sondheim with a book by James Goldman, Follies debuted on Broadway in 1971 with 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’.
Angela Thomas
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