National Theatre: Follies — Page 2

I think we all saw her 'performance' in Gypsy. She can't sing. I do concede she definitely has fine acting skills - I mean she is probably a better actor than Bernadette - perhaps it is the direction I'm more afraid of and the specific choices, as well as her ability to actually use her voice in a vulnerable way with a pleasant sounding timbre. I don't think anyone, at least as captured on record, used their voice to act through "In Buddy's Eyes" the way Bernadette did. Not Collins, not Cook, not McKechnie, not McKenzie. Clark was pretty close actually - maybe it was a directorial choice. Most seem to sing the song straight through and you can barely hear the transition in emotion/subtext of the song as it reaches the end. Maybe it needs to be seen and not heard?

What I also find weird is - why does no recording actually capture the tempo as written on the score for "In Buddy's Eyes" except the most recent revival? People actually complained that Bernadette sung the song too slowly but it was basically as written. If they speed it up again I'm going to scream. 

Bernadette's "In Buddy's Eyes" was 100% perfect. Maybe not her Losing My Mind - though what's on record here is a much more straight-forward and plain/sung through interpretation of the song than what she actually did in the theatre. So if you forget how she actually performed it nightly (which seemed to get more sulky as the run went on) there is little to complain about.

Also, I realise there is absolutely no point to showing my Bernadette fandism but this is a Broadway message board and we are theatre queens. Pointless displays of affection for performers or unwarranted criticism for performances that haven't even happened yet is what this place is all about.
 

Updated On: 7/7/17 at 04:15 AM

I saw the show three times and loved Bernadette in the role overall, but felt she was straining quite a bit during "In Buddy's Eyes" and even sounded ragged at some points.

Interesting point about the Tempo as other recordings certainly have it at a faster clip.

Yay! So glad we are finally getting a professionally shot video of this show. Based on their Angels review, it doesn't sound like they get skimpy on production value. Here's hoping for the best! And I love Imelda's acting, tho I have to agree her take on Mama Rose left me very unsatisfied. I don't care if that video wasn't "representative" of what happened in the theater. Everyone here gets that; we are all aware of power of live theater. But you can easily discern acting choices from the video and they weren't exciting.

MadsonMelo said: "I recently saw Staunton in VIRGINIA WOOLF, that woman.can.act. I mean, she's, probably, the greatest theater actress of the UK right now, for either play or musical.

Not just Martha in Virginia Woolf, but on almost every trip to London I've seen her do a new play.  The Frances McDormand role in "Good People", the leader of the acting class in "Circle Mirror Transformations", Mrs. Lovett in "Sweeney"...she is always working and always exploring new types of characters.  And to those who find it hard to believe, her Rose was definitive when I saw her do it at Chichester, early in her tenure in the role.  She was definitive in a way even Patti and Tyne weren't. So I was as surprised as anyone to see her interpretation in the taped version.  Either she had developed these character ticks during the subsequent run or they were always there and the camera just intensified it.  I also have to admit she used some of these ticks as Martha and I was so put off by her filmed Rose, I think I didn't completely enjoy her Martha because of this. And I'm afraid that since both Rose and Martha are probably somewhat bi-polar and Sally DEFINITELY is on that spectrum...that she may use these character traits again in "Follies". But she is extraordinary-enough of an actress IMO, I am willing to risk it to see what she has up her sleeve for the role.

 

 

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Nice. As long as "Loveland" is done as written :)

I'd have to disagree - Bernadette's voice sounded like it was going to shatter every time the line went above chest, and she yodeled between registers all the time. Peters didn't have the voice for Follies, and I'm not sure whether Staunton will or not, but it will definitely be less "precious" of a performance, and I'm good with that.

She will start by opening her mouth I suspect.

 

anyone questioning her ability is just a tragic show queen obsessed with warmbling divas like Patti and Bernadette who are the same in every role. Imelda Staunton is a MUCH better actress than any of those people, and while not the greatest voice, she CAN sing and she will act the hell out of it. I know what I'd rather when it's a dece dramatic role like this.

 

IdinaBellFoster said: "Still baffled how Staunton is going to sing this role.

 

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In one of his two books Sondheim singles out John McMartin.

Range wise, Too Many Mornings will be the hardest for her, possibly more of a struggle than it was for Judith Ivey. Bernadette consistently sounded lovely on the soprano notes. 

Technique wise, In Buddy's Eyes may also provide a challenge, as it's not the easiest song to maneuver. 

The entire role is quite difficult for a vocalist. It requires many soprano notes, as well as a strong alto register for Losing My Mind, in fact Bernadette and Victoria Clark both needed the song transposed up to support their ranges. 

Staunton is not the type of singer I expect in the role, but I'm willing to give her a chance. 

That's excellent point. I remember many were surprised Bernadette had the soprano notes for Too Many Mornings. As you said, she likely trained for it. 

GavestonPS said: "Jarethan said: "i can only assume you are too young to have seen John McMartin.  i have read that Sondheim considers it one of the two best performances he has seen in a Sondheim show.

 
 

I don't know what Sondheim thinks, but I agree with you Jarethan. John McMartin was the very soul of the original production (Miss Collins' brilliance notwithstanding).

 

I actually did read that a few years ago, so I am simply quoting an article...I just  can't remember where I read it.  Must have been from the Fake Theatre News.  

Re Dorothy Collins' performance, I think I was too young to appreciate it next to the more glamorous role that Alexis Smith had.  Plus, Smith had my favorite number from the show...Lucy and Jessie.  After seeing the show 5 times in that 15 months, and listening to the album God only knows how many times, I frequently skipped a number of Collins's songs because they were such downers.  To this day, much as I love Follies, I remain sick of Too Many Mornings (and can barely tolerate McMartin's The Road You Didn't Take).

 

Valentina3 said: "Yay! So glad we are finally getting a professionally shot video of this show. 

 

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To be fair, this is the second professionally shot video of the show. The first being the Opera Toloun staging a couple years ago. If you have a region-free DVD player or live in Europe it is readily available on DVD. 

Still, I am very excited to see this in a movie theatre. It is a shame that these NT Live cinecasts do not get commercial DVD releases.

 

I too question her range with this score, but Sondheim knows her very well and she has a history in his shows so he no doubt approved this. 

Staunton is a risk-taker and brave performer, not afraid to tackle tough roles and play people the exact opposite of what she currently is playing. But she's not dumb. She no doubt sang through the role with someone before signing on just to prove (even to herself) that she was capable.