Better Lovett: Lansbury or LuPone?- Page 3
Better Lovett: Lansbury or LuPone?
sicetergo
Stand-by Joined: 3/16/06
#50re: Better Lovett: Lansbury or LuPone?
Posted: 7/15/06 at 8:45amUnfortunately neither lady was authentic enough for me - but Lupone probably wins in terms of her playing of the role in the Doyle production, Lansbury pretty much lacked subtelty for my taste. Alas Broadway never saw the National Theatre's production with the definitive Mrs Lovett in Julia McKenzie or indeed Hal Prince's London production's Sheila Hancock..having seen all these ladies now, I know that Mesdames Hancock and Lansbury were probably the greatest Lovetts, with a special mention for Karen Mann.
#51re: Better Lovett: Lansbury or LuPone?
Posted: 7/15/06 at 9:41amI think that both ladies are superb within the demands of their roles and each one's interpretations. Angela's and Patti's performances are different. In my opinion, it would be unfair to say one or the other is better. from Roman in Austin, Texas... the official Patti LuPone FANatic
"Noel [Coward] and I were in Paris once. Adjoining rooms, of course. One night, I felt mischievous, so I knocked on Noel's door, and he asked, 'Who is it?' I lowered my voice and said 'Hotel detective. Have you got a gentleman in your room?' He answered, 'Just a minute, I'll ask him.'" (Beatrice Lillie)
#52re: Better Lovett: Lansbury or LuPone?
Posted: 7/15/06 at 10:38amI saw both of these, along with Dorothy Loudon. I never quite understood every word Lansbury sang, Loudon was beyond compare (I'd say the same of her Miss Daisy) and, like I said with the Sweeney thread, 2nd row for LuPone drew me right into the thing. Plus, neither of the other ladies, great as they were, had to deal with those shoes or the tuba. The best? - in this case I'll say it's like comparing Olga Korbut, Mary Lou Retton and Shannon Miller!
"Love Life. Live." Michael Bennett
Musical Director
Understudy Joined: 10/5/05
#53re: Better Lovett: Lansbury or LuPone?
Posted: 7/15/06 at 11:06amI conducted the last part of the original run with Dorothy Loudon. To answer an earlier question, she was good. She did not have the advantage of a long rehearsal period, and was mainly put into the show by the stage managers, and had very little time with Hal Prince. She was really afraid of the music because of it's difficulty,but she did a really good job. There were a few places where Mrs. Hannigan showed up on Fleet Street, but considering the time she had to prepare, she was great. And a great lady, also. But Angela is the true Mrs. Lovett in my book!...Jim Coleman
Videos