THE SPIEGELTENT UNDERBELLY, SOUTH BANK FESTIVAL UNTIL -16th MAY 2019
Reviewed by Serena Norgren
4****
Dominic Cooke’s Olivier award winning revival of Follies, a wry, classy American musical by Stephen Sondheim wowed audiences and critics alike. Glitz, glamour, a wonderful score – an ensemble piece performed by a truly talented bunch – it had everything. Unfortunately, it closed at the National last weekend. The end of something really special.
It would appear that the cast also felt like this which is a great tribute to both the show and each other. And from this, On Reflection was devised. It is essentially a series of behind the scene tales told individually by members of the cast about their lives and careers with each performer talking about themselves, sharing a photograph and performing a song of their choice. Sometimes hilarious, often extremely moving with profound life stories being shared in a deeply personal environment.
It could have been cheesy, indulgent, narcissistic but it wasn’t: led by Janie Dee (who played Phyllis) it was a very special experience. Gemma Sutton (Young Sally) opened proceedings recounting her hilarious story of getting into drama school and singing Taking a Chance on Love. She was followed equally brilliantly by Caroline Fitzgerald who replicated her drama school audition piece in a wonderfully bonkers way, The Girl in 14G.
The mood changed to a moving tale of Harry Hepple (Young Buddy)‘s relationship with his dad and a lovely duet with Ian McLarnon (Ensemble). Christine Tucker (Young Phyllis) talked about resilience and her paraplegic brother teaching himself to walk with the takeaway motto “stick to your guns, know your worth”. Alyn Hawke (US Young Buddy) did a wonderful Fred Astaire medley; Lindsay Atherton (Young Carlotta) performed Rise Up by Andrew Day “because this song terrifies me”. Vanessa Fisher (Young Stella) talked about how tough the industry is and we ended with the marvellous Janie Dee singing an unused song from the Follies score. All directed and accompanied on the piano by Stefan Bednarczyk. Blimey, they are a talented lot.
The love in the room was palpable: a small audience with lots of cast family and friends present made for a wonderfully intimate experience, almost to the point of voyeuristic. It was a true privilege to be part of it and a rare insight into the roller coaster that is the performing arts business. A little rough round the edges and it certainly didn’t feel over rehearsed but this somehow added to the intimacy.
If you are a Follies fan, it is mandatory, if you are an aspiring performer it is a masterclass and if you are simply a musical theatre fan it is just plain fabulous.