It is more than 45 years since Rock Follies fire-crackered its way across British television screens. Howard Schuman’s story of how three pissed-off, talented, patronised, often-groped female actors created a band called the Little Ladies (“It’s IRONIC!”) was satire and celebration: a sceptical look at Britain in the 70s and an imaginative leap into the future. Rula Lenska purred; Charlotte Cornwell mused; Julie Covington sparred. All floated on the music of Andy Mackay, saxophonist and founder member of Roxy Music. They steered towards independence with new voices.
Chloë Moss’s new stage adaptation, with songs by Schuman and Mackay, is a skimmed version of the TV series, staged with vivacity by Dominic Cooke, who, having soared at the National six years ago with Sondheim’s Follies, looks set on a trilogy: Ziegfeld next? The action speeds and rackets along, with flash and some on-the-back-foot making-do. Vicki Mortimer’s set and Kinnetia Isidore’s costumes are on-the-money gaudy: glitter streamers, neon strips, tiny Lurex shorts, skinny leather trousers. A live band – guitar, bass and drums – makes the stage shake.
