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Follies
Presented by: The Production Company
Venue: State Theatre, Victorian Arts Centre
Reviewer:
Simon Parris
Date Reviewed: 16th July 2008
Photos: by Gavin D (www.gavind.com.au)
KENNETH
COLLINS AND MAIN FEMALE CAST MEMBERS
The Production Company have assembled a stellar cast of showbiz
legends, along with a few well-chosen newcomers, to stage Stephen
Sondheim’s classic musical Follies. As a celebration of their 10
years of shows, the ‘showgirls reunion’ that is the setting for
Follies is the perfect chance to fill the stage with beloved stars
to help celebrate TPC’s achievements.
 In
1971 Stephen Sondheim and James Goldman wrote one of the first
‘concept’ musicals. Set on one night, it begins with a traditional
narrative before dissolving into ‘Loveland’,
a fantasia in which the four leads react, via highly stylised
production numbers, to the chaos of their middle-aged, possibly
wasted, lives.
Unlike the 1993 concert performance at the State Theatre, James
Goldman’s full script is used. Although this adds great depth to the
wonderful songs performed by the four leads, it adds little else
except time to the rest of the evening. Richard Jeziorny makes good
use of the cavernous open stage of the State Theatre to represent
the dilapidated theatre that is the setting for the reunion of the
follies girls. Extra settings add greatly to each character’s
Loveland dream world. Paul Jackson performs miracles lighting this
huge space, drawing the audience’s eyes to the pinpoint of each new
location of the action. Costumes by Victoria Rowell are suitably
glamorous, although possibly not all from the same period. The
ensemble changed several times into full sets of costumes that
appeared to have been made for the show.
DEBRA BYRNE, JOHN DIEDRICH, ANNE WOOD, PHILIP GOULD
In the short rehearsal time director Rodger Hodgman has elicited
sensitive, focused performances from most of his cast. Guy Simpson
and Orchestra Victoria give a glorious performance of the classic
score. A tinkling grand piano in the background of the party means
that the music barely stops all night. Choreographer Dana Jolly has
drilled the ensemble to perfection for the three or four numbers
they perform in. The dances, particularly in the second act, are
well suited to the period being evoked.
 One
of the reasons Follies is rarely performed is the difficult central
themes of dealing with aging and the pain of reflecting on the
follies of youth. Two numbers in particular illustrated this
beautifully. Patti Newton and Jack Webster danced the ‘Bolero
D’amour’ while their younger counterparts, Rohan Browne and Natalya
Bobenko, performed the stunning lifts and spins that the leads
remembered once being able to do. Margaret Haggart (sublime as Sally
in two previous concerts of Follies in Melbourne) sang ‘One More
Kiss’ with her character’s younger self, played by Mary-Jean
O’Doherty, able to hit and sustain all the glorious high notes.
Melissa Langton, slightly young in the role, brought her usual
warmth and strong voice to Stella, anchoring the crowd pleasing
production number ‘Who’s That Woman’. Judi Conelli absolutely
brought down the house with ‘I’m Still Here’.
Nancye Hayes gave a cheeky, carefully measured performance of the
classic anthem ‘Broadway Baby’. The lyrics here are cleverly written
to have suited a young girl looking for work and now just as suited
to an older woman. The only complaint here is that Ms Hayes is
actually not entirely suited to putting across the full poignancy of
JOANNA FRIPP, PHILIP GOULD, ANGIE STAPLETON
a
woman who would desperately love to be in a show. Her line ‘I
haven’t danced in 30 years’ (in ‘Who’s That Woman’) also doesn’t
ring true.
As the focus on the still glittering ex-showgirls subsides, the
heart of the story is revealed to be the relationship between four
former best friends. Young Sally had her chance with Ben but settled
for Buddy when Ben ended up with Phyllis. Sally has made herself
sick with anxiety waiting for her chance to see Ben again at the
reunion. The reflection on the massive regrets of their lives,
heightened by the presence of their ghostly younger selves, causes
relationships between the four to crumble.
 Anne
Wood is magnificent as Phyllis. A towering vision in floating lime
and jade chiffon, she caustically skulks about the stage inflicting
her character’s misery on everyone. ‘Could I leave You?’ is strongly
dramatic and ‘The Story of Lucy and Jessie’, complete with chorus
boys in vests, is a spiffy production number. Ms Wood is more than
ably matched by the charismatic presence of John Diedrich as Ben. In
fine voice, and looking supremely handsome, Mr Diedrich is fully in
touch with his character and gives a stirring performance of ‘The
Road You Didn’t Take’ and a suitably devastating ‘Live, Laugh,
Love’.
Phillip Gould, a little likeable in the slightly unpleasant role of
Buddy, is nonetheless in fine form in terms of singing and dancing.
His performance of the fiendishly difficult ‘Buddy’s Blues’, with
support from Angie Stapleton and Joanna Fripp, was a highlight of
the show. Debra Byrne was miscast in the pivotal role of Sally. Her
voice is completely unsuited to the gorgeous numbers she has to
sing. She gave a one-note performance, with a particularly
disappointing rendition of the classic torch song ‘Losing My Mind’,
in which she overdid the emotion.
ANNE WOOD & MALE ENSEMBLE
It will be another generation until we see another cast capable of
taking on this revered show. Don’t miss your chance to see TPC’s
Follies, which runs until Sunday 20 July. Booking are through
Ticketmaster.
Simon has appeared in more than 30 productions over the past twenty
years. Recent roles include Uncle Henry/Guard of the Gate in The
Wizard of Oz (Catchment) and Eugene Fodor in Crazy for You (Whitehorse).
Other favourite roles include Mr Fox in Mack and Mabel, Max in The
Sound of Music, Freddy in My Fair Lady, Julio in Paint Your Wagon,
Marcellus in The Music Man and Grantaire in Les Miserables.
He is also a keen audience member, having seen over 50 shows in
five weeks on a recent trip to New York and
London.
Simon is currently in rehearsals as choreographer for his school
production of Little Shop of Horrors. Simon has served on the Music
Theatre Guild of
Victoria
Committee for four years, and is currently Treasurer.
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