Staging a comeback

Follies returns to the London stage

After a very public sacking from one of Broadway's biggest shows, 'The Producers', Henry Goodman will return to the London stage to star as 'Buddy' in the legendary Sondheim musical 'Follies'.

Henry Goodman was live on Breakfast talking about his new role in Follies

Click here to see our interview with Henry Goodman

This is a fantastic role in a great musical

Follies opens at The Royal Festival Hall on August 6th for a 4 week run.

Henry will play alongside Louise Gold who stars as 'Phyllis', David Durham as 'Ben', Kathryn Evans as 'Sally' and Diane Langton as 'Carlotta'.

Henry was dismissed from his starring role in the Prodcuers after only 30 performances.

Follies is fantastic, it's one of the greatest musicals... any wounded pride has been more than been offset

Henry Goodman

It was whispered that the National Theatre veteran was not famous enough to draw the crowds.

Eventually the show's backers claimed a 'lack of progress' in his performances as the reason for his dismissal.

Turning point

But Henry now thinks the experience actually marked a turning point in his career giving it a boost: "I thought it important to get back on the horse as soon as possible, and Follies is a fantastic role in one of the greatest musicals.

Speaking to London's Evening Standard newspaper Henry said: "Any wounded pride has been more than offset by the reaction from New Yorkers. As well as a lot of mail from members of the public who saw me in the show and thought I should have stayed in the role".

It is rumoured that 'The Producers', based on the Mel Brookes comedy may be brought to the West End next year.

Follies and the music of Stephen Sondheim

The latest production is the second major London production of "Follies", and the first for 15 years. There will be previews on 3 and 5 August and the show will run until 31 August.

The show, which was originally produced on Broadway by Harold Prince in 1971, features the classic songs "Broadway Baby", "I'm Still Here" and "Losing My Mind".

Lavish

Considered by many to be one of the greatest musicals of all time, "Follies" transports the audience to the once lavish, but now crumbling, Weissman Theatre.

Memories from its glorious past return, and glamorous showgirls from decades ago reunite and remember, just one last time.

The haunting themes of time, age and memory, the whispering in the wings, the clicking of high heels and the giggling of the girls, are all brought vividly to life.