 | | Local people are appearing in the show |
'Follies' is set in an old theatre on the eve of demolition. The musical has been chosen as the first production in this newly revamped old theatre. The audience will, for the first time, be able to inspect the results of the Royal Theatre's restoration which is said to return the auditorium to its 1880s splendour. The ornate plasterwork has been re-painted in shades of duck egg blue with gold gilt in the embossed areas. The new seating and carpets are a deep red.  | | Laurie Sansom directs Follies |
Two rows of seats have been removed from the stalls giving greater leg room and the benches in the upper circle have been replaced by more comfortable seating. In place of the big chandelier, which used to hang above the stalls, will be a replica of a 'sunburner'. This was a Victorian device which was used to extract stale air. A non-Victorian (and much needed) addition to the Royal is air conditioning. Critical acclaimBut the success of the theatre depends on the quality of the productions, rather than the décor.  | | Actor Julian Forsyth in rehearsal |
When the theatre closed for renovation in April 2005, it was basking the warm glow of critical acclaim. Locally produced shows by the Royal's artistic director, Rupert Goold, were getting good reviews in the national press. 'Follies' will be the first production at the Royal by the new artistic director Laurie Sansom. He's recruited 15 local amateur performers to appear alongside the professional cast of 15. They'll be joined by a 10-strong orchestra. The Stephen Sondheim musical follows the ex-Follies ladies as they reunite for one last party in the old theatre where they once trod the boards. The ghosts of the past return and characters are reminded of the hopes and dreams they once held dear. Well known songs include 'Losing My Mind', 'I'm Still Here' and 'Broadway Baby'. | 
