There will be many a musical theatre fan secretly listening to the National Theatre cast recording of Stephen Sondheim’s legendary musical Follies at work today. Plus, it’s not long before the production returns to the venue on 12 February 2019. Here they come, those beautiful girls…
Following its 2018 Olivier Award wins for Best Musical Revival and Best Costume Design and a sold-out run at the National Theatre, the much-anticipated London cast recording of the original National Theatre production of Follies has been released. It is available across digital download and streaming accounts now, CD pre-orders will be available soon.
Director of Follies and associate of the National Theatre, Dominic Cooke, said:
“Directing Follies has been a privilege. It is a heart-breaking, universal piece and the National Theatre committed epic resources to realise it. The original company gave detailed, powerful performances and I’m delighted that we managed to record them for listeners to appreciate Stephen Sondheim’s peerless score, just as I’m working with an equally brilliant cast on the Olivier revival opening next month.”
The Warner Music Group recording was made at RAK Studios in London with world-renowned producer Nigel Wright, conducted by Olivier nominee Nigel Lilley and mixed by SMP Studios, Buckinghamshire. The soundtrack cast includes Julie Armstrong, Norma Attallah, Josephine Barstow, Jeremy Batt, Di Botcher, Billy Boyle, Janie Dee, Anouska Eaton, Liz Ewing, Geraldine Fitzgerald, Peter Forbes, Emily Goodenough, Bruce Graham, Adrian Grove, Fred Haig, Aimee Hodnett, Dawn Hope, Liz Izen, Alison Langer, Emily Langham, Sarah-Marie Maxwell, Ian McLarnon, Leisha Mollyneux, Gemma Page, Kate Parr, Philip Quast, Edwin Ray, Gary Raymond, Adam Rhys-Charles, Jordan Shaw, Imelda Staunton, Zizi Strallen, Barnaby Thompson, Christine Tucker, Michael Vinsen and Alex Young.
Follies returns to the National Theatre with previews from 12 February 2019 and runs in repertory until 11 May, with many of the original cast including Tracie Bennett, Janie Dee and Peter Forbes returning to their roles. Alexander Hanson and Joanna Riding will join the cast in the roles of Ben and Sally.
