Opera star Lesley Garrett debuts with Northern Ireland Opera in FOLLIES
Lesley Garrett CBE, one of the world’s most celebrated classical singers and acclaimed British soprano, has been announced as the newest cast member to join Northern Ireland Opera’s historic revival of Stephen Sondheim and James Goldman’s Follies at the Grand Opera House in Belfast this Autumn.
Garrett’s prestigious and varied international career is spread across many genres including leading roles in opera and musical theatre. This year marks her 45th anniversary in the industry, which will see her step into an iconic role to play opera diva Heidi Schiller in this musical masterpiece about a group of former showgirls of the famous Weismann Follies. Upon returning after thirty years with their partners to their beloved decaying Broadway theatre for one final reunion before demolition, old connections stir and rivalries flare. By the time they all leave their world’s will have shifted: will anything be the same again?
The opera legend says of her role in this new production of Follies: “I’m so excited to be coming back to Belfast and especially to be making my debut with Northern Ireland Opera at the age of 70! Sondheim’s Follies is a masterpiece and I’m delighted to have been given the once in a lifetime opportunity to perform the iconic role of Heidi Schiller. Come and join me on this fabulous adventure!”
Welcoming Garrett to the previously announced illustrious ensemble is music theatre royalty and one of the UK’s finest jazz vocalists Jacqueline Dankworth MBE. Cast in Sondheim’s original West End debut of Into The Woods in 1990, the star returns to the stage in her first Sondheim musical in thirty years to play the role of Carlotta Campion.
Anna-Jane Casey and Annette McLaughlin, who are renowned musical theatre and West-End stars, are cast as former room mates Sally Plummer and Phyllis Stone.
Belfast’s own Mark Dugdale and much sought-after West-End star Alasdair Harvey star as best friends Buddy Palmer and Benjamin Stone respectively. West End performer and TV actress Allison Harding, currently appearing in hit TV detective series Ellis, plays Hattie Walker, the tough-talking, no-nonsense showgirl who sings the legendary showstopping number ‘Broadway Baby’. Further cast to be announced shortly.
This epic new production, directed by the renowned national opera company’s Artistic Director Cameron Menzies has never been staged professionally in Northern Ireland before and marks eight long years since its last UK revival. Greg Arrowsmith, a much-lauded Musical Director, is welcomed to the creative team. He will lead the Orchestra of Northern Ireland Opera, a full-scale ensemble of 35 local instrumentalists, in this highly entertaining yet rarely staged musical due to its scale.
Rounding out the respected creative team is West End Choreographer Jennifer Rooney and Set Designer Niall McKeever.