DMT_Mamma Mia_AUG_17 DMT MOCKUP_D

SONDHEIM’S
FOLLIES
As a new production of Follies plays at the National Theatre, actress JULIA MCKENZIE – who starred
in the 1987 Cameron Mackintosh production – reflects on working with the legendary Stephen Sondheim
When I first met Stephen Sondheim
I was in shock!
I had been a fan ever since I first heard his
incredible work. And here was I, face to face
with Him, on the night I’d just opened with the
American cast of Company – which was an
education in itself. I learned at first hand what
it is to work with that kind of energy – it was
like being shot out of a cannon! Such a shock
that I only vaguely remember seeing someone
who might have been Steve lurking in the
wings. But later we not only met, but worked
closely together in Side by Side by Sondheim,
Into the Woods, Sweeney Todd and co-devised
and directed Putting it Together here and in
New York.
I was thrilled to be asked to play Sally in the
original West End production of Follies. For so
many years I had been living with the recording
of the glorious Barbara Cook – and now came
the chance to sing ‘In Buddy’s Eyes’ and ‘Losing
My Mind’. Manna from heaven! But the dancing
was a challenge – Jerry Mitchell, who was
assistant choreographer on the show, is quoted
as saying that he managed to extract the
fabulous dancing with ‘a chair and a whip’ and he
was basically talking about me. I’m a terrible
dancer – and I had to do a six-minute tap routine!
Follies also saw me reunited with producer
Cameron Mackintosh, with whom I’d worked
on Side by Side by Sondheim. To say that
Cameron is hands-on is an understatement –
he’s legs, arms and heart too! He’s totally in
love with theatre.
Dolores Gray broke her ankle during the run but,
true to her theatrical guts, went on – even taking
curtain calls in a wheelchair. I began to think she
really quite enjoyed it. There are so many
enduring memories from the show. But I
particularly remember shedding tears, along with
the rest of the company, the first time we heard
that tinkling piano bursting into the full orchestral
overture. A year or two ago, Simon Green (young
Ben) organised a reunion for the remaining cast
members – a mini Follies I suppose, but held at
Joe Allen’s restaurant. It was a magical reunion –
Pearl Carr and Teddy Johnson did a little of ‘Rain
on the Roof’ and the years rolled away as Eileen
Page and Michelle Todd reprised ‘One More Kiss’
as if it were yesterday. More tears. I guess it’s that
sort of show.
After 45 years of knowing Steve, I feel I have an
instinct for his work. I do know that working for
him has changed my life tremendously. As a
performer, his work challenges your intelligence
as an actor, and your technique as a singer. You
can’t simply get away with a voice and a big
smile anymore. It takes you all your time to try to
be equal to what he asks of you.
I am, of course, looking forward to seeing the
National’s new production – as is everyone else I
know. I just hope I can still get a ticket! What a
cast they have assembled – it’s so exciting.
And to any actors performing Sondheim
for the first time, my advice is just to be
thankful. His work will be a joy to you and
will inform everything else in your
performing life.