Follies

Published Friday 27 October 2006 at 15:20 by Caroline Morris

Fantastic, fabulous Follies, what a way to re-open Northampton’s Royal Theatre. Director Laurie Sansom’s dazzling and glamorous production involves a cast of over 30 performers, both professional and community actors, a live orchestra and a challenging set. Eat your heart out Dirty Dancing.

If this is the rebirth of the Royal Theatre, then Northampton’s audiences are in for something special in the future. It seems a very long time since audiences last sat in the Royal’s auditorium, in fact some 18 months, but the refurbishment has seen it beautifully restored. As for the concourse areas, I think it might take a while for these to become accepted.

The cast are stunning, the live orchestra is perfect and full marks to Jonathan Gill for the musical direction. Nick Winston’s choreography would not be out of place on a West End stage. The ambitious set from designer Jessica Curtis gives the Royal a whole new dimension, with wonderful costumes too.

All the performers have magnificent voices which can be clearly heard. Jan Hartley is brilliant as Sally, Alex Giannini delivers a tireless Buddy, Louise Plowright makes a patient Phyllis and Julian Forsyth is a dramatic Ben.

So high is the standard of community performers, frankly, it is difficult to tell them from the professionals. The ladies in particular are amazing - Rita Gee as Hattie Walker certainly knows how to steal a show. Whatever you do, don’t miss this.