Follies at the Volksoper: A nostalgic musical about aging!

Follies at the Volksoper: A nostalgic musical about aging!

The musical "Follies" is currently being performed at the Volksoper and takes up topics of aging and reflection on past decisions. Originally premiered in 1971, the plot, like former show girls, Sally and Phyllis, describes 30 years after their fame with their husbands at the final party of their theater. The story unfolds in the fictional world of 2055, in which the theater was demolished after a war and a dictatorial regime. Kleine Zeitung reports that Sally Durant from Bregenz came to the demolition party in individual numbers Lift ensemble pieces.

The staging in the Volksoper is directed by Martin G. Berger, with a stage design by Sarah-Katharina Karl and costumes by Alexander Djurkov Hotter. Other creative minds are Alex Brok for the lighting design and Vincent Stefan for the video elements. The piece is managed by Michael Papadopoulos, while the main roles of Ruth Brauer-Kvam (Sally), Drew Sarich (Ben) and Bettina Mönch (Phyllis) are occupied. Julia Koci (Hattie), Stefanie Dietrich (Stella) and Sona Macdonald (Carlotta) can be seen in the supporting roles.

reflection on the past

"Follies" uses the interaction between aged figures and their younger alter egos to present complex emotions and to address the challenges of aging. The piece gives the characters the opportunity to reflect on their past nostalgically and to ask questions about their life decisions. The further development of the musical as an art form is stimulated by the cultural influences of the 19th century, such as the opera and the Vaudeville, which developed into a dynamic genre, which transports emotional messages, such as the knowledge determined.

The structure of "Follies", which consists of various musical numbers that contain both solo and ensemble pieces, shows a significant further development of the musical, which began in the 1920s with the introduction of the "Book Musical". This genre combines action, vocals and dance into a coherent story.

performance dates and future of the genre

The Volksoper offers several performances of "Follies", including appointments on April 17, 25 and 30, as well as on April 1st, 14th, 17th, 23rd and 27th, 2025. Musicals such as "Follies" are not only entertainment, but also a mirror of social challenges and trends. Social issues are increasingly finding its way into the musicals and reflecting current social issues. Technological advances have also created the opportunity to use elaborate stage sets and effects, which shapes the future of the musical.

Overall, the musical remains a lively and constantly changing genre, which demands openness to new creative concepts and technologies, while at the same time keeping traditional elements and reinterprets. With every new piece, the audience awaits an exciting mix of tradition and innovation.