IT was 22-years-ago Walmsley Church Amateur Operatic and Dramatic Society first performed Stephen Sondheim's legendary musical Follies to great acclaim.

There is no doubt that it takes a brilliant society to take on such a demanding show and the theatre company has once again garnered a fantastic cast to bring for only the second time in Bolton the chance for theatre-goers to witness what is described as an "exceptional piece of theatre".

The story tells of a reunion in a crumbling Broadway theatre, scheduled for demolition, of the past performers of the "Weismann's Follies," a musical revue, based on the Ziegfeld Follies, that played in that theatre between the World Wars.

It centres on two couples, Buddy and Sally Durant Plummer and Benjamin and Phyllis Rogers Stone, who are attending the reunion.

Sally and Phyllis were showgirls in the Follies and now both couples are deeply unhappy with their marriages.

Buddy a travelling salesman, is having an affair with a girl on the road; Sally is still as much in love with Ben as she was years ago; and Ben’is so self-absorbed that Phyllis feels emotionally abandoned.

Several of the former showgirls perform their old numbers, sometimes accompanied by the ghosts of their former selves.

Playing Sally and Phyllis are Lindsay Farnworth and Vicki Wilson both of whom played Young Sally and Young Phyllis in the original production given by Walmsley back in 1996 and they say they are very excited to be playing these two fantastic roles.

Playing the parts of Buddy and Ben are Joe Davies and John Preston

Song after song pours from this exceptional Stephen Sondheim score and features such favourites as Broadway Baby, I’m Still Here and Losing My Mind.

The Musical Director for Follies is Tim power, with choreography by Lara Syddall and Nora Howcroft is the director.

This multi-award winning society has gained four National Operatic and Dramatic Association nominations for this year's awards — Steve Benson for Best Actor in A Musical for his role in Kiss Me Kate, Vicki Wilson for Best Choreography for Kiss Me Kate,.

David Wilson for Best Comedy Actor in a Musical for his role in High Society and Nora Howcroft for Best Artistic Director for the same musical.

‘Follies’ opens at The Parish Hall Theatre, Egerton on Monday, April 30 until Saturday, May 5 and tickets are available from the box office on 01204 305812