A LITTLE NIGHT MUSIC – London 1996 / Judi Dench

There are two videos, I believe, of her singing "Send in the Clowns"--one from the time of the production and the other from 10 years or so later. Both are riveting.

And if I prefer Glynis Johns after seeing and loving the original production six times, I mean no disrespect to Dame Judi.

As a matter of fact, I think her response might be "As well you should!"

---

"It has always fascinated me that the normally lenient Sondheim apparently had such issues with this production and prevented it from transferring to Broadway."

I hadn't heard that. What was the trouble?

This was the same time period when people were trying to get an American production with Glenn Close playing Desiree.

---

In case you haven't seen them. South Bank show on Sondheim.


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=04E8Y8nDfRQ
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Pa646nfBeY8
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uC0K1Ka_jyk
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6IdcHvDPa-c

"I think the word was that they incorporated the film Glamorous Life and My Husband The Pig without his permission."

I don't see how they could do that. It wasn't like it was the Blackpool Community Players. This was a major production in a capital city starring Judi Dench and commissioned by Her Royal Highness Elizabeth R.

---

I loved this too and it was brilliant but not perfect. Apparently Sondheim wasn't keen on the massive staging as he always felt the show to be a more intimate experience. I sat in the "mezz" and there were lots of times when the Nationals "drum" was lowered for a set change leaving a chasm mid-stage.

Judi was sublime though and absolutely hilarious! A Weekend In The Country was an outstanding end to act 1.

---

I love the Glamorous Life mashup from this production, and I think Judi's "Send in the Clowns" is heartbreakingly beautiful.

Whenever I listen to the recording of this production I think it can't have been as unsatisfying as I remember it. And yet, whenever I see the few photographs there are and those vids that were on Youtube a while back, they confirm my memories.

As the OP suggests in his review the stunning and outstanding performances of the women in the cast stole the show. The physical production did, however, struggle to fill the enormous stage and the cast galloping around rather than waltzing didn't help matters. And those non-period umbrellas in the photographs, I'd forgotten those, but they don't help either.

Updated On: 2/1/15 at 12:27 PM

Anthony, I sent you a PM, thanks!!