I was one of the packed audience watching the much acclaimed National Theatre production of the Broadway musical, Follies, at Pavilions Teignmouth, where we are fortunate to have live streaming to give us so many cultural opportunities, writes Wendy Clayton.

Based on James Goldman’s book, Stephen Sondheim provides music and lyrics bringing together an amazing show of song, dance and a story with an unusual and pleasing level of complexity.

The show opened with the last reunion party for singers and dancers from the Weismann’s Follies, before the old Broadway theatre was demolished. The stage set successfully created an atmosphere of faded sadness with the end of an era, while the cast, beautifully danced and sang their way through an amazing array of songs that unfolded regrets and dreams.

Ben and Phyllis, Buddy and Sally (played by Imelda Staunton) share their stories from the 1940’s to the present 1971. This intermingling of the past and present as seen mostly through these main characters and their younger selves, worked well. There was great passion and sadness with suggestions of every character in the show being haunted by ghosts from their pasts.

How lovely to see many mature actors on stage giving a brilliant performance. Follies with all its attributes will stay with me and I plan to see it again in time.