Set in New York, 1971, the old Weismann Theatre is having one final hurrah before turning into an office block. The Olivier Theatre at the National Theatre, on London's Southbank is home to this celebration, offering us a peek into the past as the infamous Follies Girls reunite for one last time. Originally opening on the 4th of April in 1971, Sondheim's score and James Goldman's book saw Follies quickly become a firm favourite on the Broadway scene, with the original production winning seven Tony awards. Over the years Follies has had countless revivals with songs that are now staples in the musical theatre repertoire.

Although Follies allows glimpses into some of the Weismann's Girls lives post-career the story focuses on two couples, Benjamin and Phyllis Rodgers Stone and Sally and Buddy Durant Plummer. The plot weaves between the present day and the past, mapping the couple's lives from Follies heyday to the troubled lives and marriages they are now leading.

As the overture began to play, I was struck with 'where on earth is the orchestra?' Quickly realising they were concealed at the back of the stage by a large crumbling wall which represented the Weismann. Situated on a rotating centre this large wall structure began to spin as glamorously dressed young women began to strut across the stage. Using the entire space, even the staircases. The beautiful and sparkling young women showcased the beauty that would have once inhabited the Weismann. As they are in the present day, the women are introduced, welcomed to the reunion by Dimitri Weismann (Gary Raymond) herself, as their younger selves become their mirror image, mixing the past with the present.

Imelda Staunton and Janie Dee are perfectly cast in the roles of Sally Durant and Phyllis Rodgers. The two actors encompassed the extreme differences between these two leading ladies. Imelda playing the bubbly 'girl next door' persona of Sally perfectly with a bouncy step and ever widening grin, you couldn't help but like her instantly. Janie Dee offered the wonderful contrast to Sally as the sultry and elegant Phyllis, waltzing across the stage and commanding the attention of every audience member. With her witty one-liners and sarcastic phrases Phyllis quickly became my favourite character. The two male actors, Philip Quast (Benjamin Stone) and Peter Forbes (Buddy Plummer) both inhabited their characters well but unfortunately for them the ladies really did steal the show!

The overall production of this show was quite dazzling, from the set to the costumes it had everything you could ever want in a musical. Although the plot is focused on the four central characters the rest of the cast certainly held their own, producing some of the most memorable and astounding moments within the show. My top moment was Dawn Hope (Stella Deem) performing the beautiful yet rather demanding 'Who's That Woman'. The elaborate Tap number that followed gave me goose bumps as the entire ensemble both young and old hit every step perfectly creating an atmosphere of wonder.  

This was my first time watching Follies, and going into the auditorium I didn't know what to expect but, now I can see why this show is hailed as one of the classics on the theatre circuit. If you're a theatre lover or new to the genre then this is certainly the show to see. I could have sat in the Olivier Theatre all night and was saddened when the curtain fell. I will certainly be on the hunt for the next set of tickets I can get my hands on and urge you to do the same!

Review by Abigail on the 20th September at the National Theatre.