Northern Ireland Opera’s next major production at the Grand Opera House is ‘Follies’, winner of 7 Tony Awards on its debut on Broadway in 1971.
Set in that same year, the girls of Weismann’s ‘Follies’ are returning with their partners to the decaying theatre on Broadway which holds so many memories for them for one last time before it is demolished. Time may have moved on, but inside the theatre old connections stir, rivalries flare and ghosts of the past are woken. By the time they all leave the theatre for one last time, their world’s will have shifted and nothing will be the same again.
With music and lyrics by Stephen Sondheim, book by James Goldman, this legendary work features unforgettable songs including ‘Broadway Baby’, ‘I’m Still Here’, ‘Could I Leave You’, and ‘Losing My Mind’.
‘Follies’ will be directed by Cameron Menzies, Artistic Director of Northern Ireland Opera. His production of ‘Into The Woods’ at The Lyric Theatre, also with music and lyrics by Stephen Sondheim, was awarded Best Production at The Irish Times Irish Theatre Awards in 2022. It subsequently travelled to West Australian Opera in Perth where his production was remounted with an Australian cast to critical acclaim.
‘Follies’ was produced originally on Broadway by Harold Prince. Orchestrations are by Jonathan Tunick. This production will take place by special arrangement with Cameron Mackintosh, presented by arrangement with Music Theatre International.
- Friends of NI Opera and Friends of the Grand Opera House – 2-for-1 tickets for the performances on 16 and 18 September.
- Groups of 10+ £3 off per seat
- Groups of 20+ £5 off per seat, Tuesday 16 only.
- A limited number of £5 tickets are available for under 26s in the Gods for the 16 and 18 September performances
- Half price standby tickets after 6pm on Tuesday 16 for seniors, students and unwaged.
- Free carer’s tickets available if you need assistance to attend the theatre – contact goh.co.uk for details.
- Free Pre Show Talk on 16 and 20 September – book your tickets here
A selection of press coverage
- The show goes on for Lesley – The Irish News
- A Conversation with Cameron Menzies – The Sondheim Hub
- A Conversation with Jacqui Dankworth – The Sondheim Hub
- Lesley Garrett cast in Northern Ireland Opera’s Follies after cancer surgery | The Standard
- Lesley Garrett: Acclaimed opera singer recalls her first trip to Belfast ahead of NI return: ‘I can’t tell you how scared I was’ | BelfastTelegraph.co.uk
- A Conversation with Anna-Jane Casey – The Sondheim Hub
- Interview with Jacqui Dankworth about coming to Belfast to perform in Follies
- Opera icon Lesley Garrett CBE to lead Northern Ireland opera’s “Follies” – Theatre News | Theatre-News.com
- Lesley Garrett, Cameron Menzies and Gillian Lennox were featured on UTV Life with host Pamela Ballantine talking about Follies on 1 August.
- https://www.whatsonstage.com/news/follies-revival-confirms-full-cast-for-autumn-run_1690393/
Pamela Ballantine interviews Lesley Garrett CBE (Heidi Schiller), Cameron Menzies (Director) and Gillian Lennox (Costume) on UTV Life about our upcoming production of Follies…