I watched the NT LIVE production of the London FOLLIES last night. I liked it very much.....perhaps I shall finish it today.
I have never seen the show, although I have heard the recordings. It is a great show....and this is a very good production. I liked the sets and costumes and the music is very well done.
Stand outs for me were Di Botcher as Hattie and Tracie Bennett as Carlotta.... The men were okay.
The two ladies Janie Dee (Phyllis) and especially Imelda Staunton (Sally) are not so hot. I don't get the love the adulation for Staunton....I thought she was awful.....here and in GYPSY as well. First of all, she's unattractive....and she is too short to have ever been a showgirl....she clacks her dentures and pops and rolls her eyes like she's in a silent movie...for me she's unwatchable and ruins every scene and song she's in....she is awful...
Dee is a bit better, but I don't think she understands her character very well...
British Actress Geraldine Fitzgerald isn't very good as the French actress either....her song pretty much flops....
ANYWAY....I look forward to seeing the rest of the show - in spite of having to sit through the above mentioned "performances."