It was a star-studded affair, both on stage and in the audience. Julia Mckenzie treated us to a wonderful performance as Sally, the role she played in Cameron Mackintosh's '80's revival of this piece. She is one of the most versatile actresses this country has to offer. Few would deny her great acting abilities, but I think much of her TV audience would be stunned to hear what a fabulous voice she has. Her range is vast, and she knows exactly how to squeeze every ounce of emotion and drama from every bar. She was fantastic in the show when it was at the Shaftsbury theatre, but last nights performance excelled even that.

She was well supported, Dennis Quilley played Ben with confidence, coped well with the music, and explored the complexities of the character. The multi-talented Donna Mckechnie, Tony award winner of the original production of "A Chorus Line" and fresh from her recent one woman show at the Jermyn Street Theatre was outstanding as Phyllis, and looked splendid.

Joan Savage's "Who's that Woman" was received with raputurous applause from this audience, Libby Morris's "Broadway Baby" got all the usual laughs, plus one or two new ones, and Angela Richards brought the first half to a climatic close with a most superb rendition of "I'm Still Here".

The highlight of Act 2 was the glorious soprano, Carrie Ellis as Young Heidi, who has the most beautifully focused, voice, which is clear as crystal. The Loveland sequence, where the four main characters perform their own "Follies" number, which gives us the insight on where they are coming from, and brings the rest of the plot to a conclusion was well done, and by the end the audience could not wait to jump to their feet for the well deserved standing ovation, especially as we got to show our appreciation not just to this remarkable cast and orchestra, but also the writers, Sondheim and Goldman who made a surprise appearance.

There was unfortunately one weak link. Ron Moody, most famous for his portrayal of Fagin in the film version of Bart's musical, "Oliver", performed the role with the script. To be fair, this was being recorded for broadcast, and in a live concert, you do only get one shot at it, and if he felt uncomfortable with his lines, then he was right to have used the book. What was unforgivable is the fact that he clung to it for every line, rather than a discreet glance now and then for reassurance, almost as if he had never intended to learn it, and had not even tried. He was so unsure that his dialogue was delivered with hesitancy, and even with the script managed to fluff his lines. Mr Moody, this may have been a one off, it may have been a radio recording, but there were also in excess of 1000 paying customers who really are entitled to expect a little more than this half hearted performance.

Other than this it was a truly magical evening, one I shall treasure for a very long time.

(Jason L Belne)