London Sweeney Todd May Be Heading To Broadway- Page 2

Posted: 1/19/05 at 7:34pm

Has anyone seen Baranski in Sweeney? I heard she was pretty good.

Saw her at the Sondheim Festival in DC in 2002. She was absolutely fantastic. I remembered rumors of her reprising the role at NYCO the next year; was disappointed when it didn't happen. Never saw Lansbury in person (only the tape) but I thought Baranski's performance matched hers, if not excelled in some parts.

[Carl Magnum]

Posted: 1/19/05 at 7:37pm

Anything has to be better than the horrible Toronto production from '04

[RagtimeRay]

Posted: 1/19/05 at 9:29pm

SWEENEY TODD is among my top 5 all-time favorite musicals. I saw the Lansbury/Cariou original cast (twice) and the Lansbury/Hearn tour at the Kennedy Center (as well as on tape/DVD). I also saw the Brian Stokes Mitchell/Christine Baranski revival that was part of the Kennedy Center's Sondheim festival a couple of years ago. At the time I wished that production (it was marvelous - a full staging, similar to the original) could have transfered to Broadway.

In November I had the chance to see the current London production of SWEENEY TODD - center of the stalls, about 8 rows back. There are nine principal performers and four ensemble members (who also serve as understudies), for a total of 13 in the cast. A woman doubled in the roles of Pirelli and Fogg. As noted, all of the principals (except for Sweeney, I think) also played instruments. This added interest at some times, but was distracting at other times (picture "Not While I'm Around" with Lovett on Trumpet and Toby on Flute - I think ?). Almost every new mounting of a show can cause a fan to find new and different aspects to like and admire. Because the production was small, I found myself listening to lyrics more intently. The show opened with Tobias in a straight jacket. He was the first to sing - "Attend the tale of Sweeney Todd..." as others in the cast undid his jacket. He had clearly been affected by something, and knowing the story I found this device effective - considering Tobias role at the end of the show.

They only pantomimed with the razors (everyone who died got their throat slit, no oven for Mrs. Lovett) and as each throat was "cut" the director had an actor pour a bucket of red liquid into another bucket. After being killed each "dead" actor wore a blood stained "lab coat."

Costume choices (Mrs. Lovett in leather for example) seemed strange to me.

On a small stage, there were times when the production seemed more like a concert. As a result, for me, some of the emotional impact was lost. For example: When Sweeney delivers the line at the end of the show, "'Don't I know you,' she said." Instead of hovering over Lucy or holding her, Lucy was standing on a ladder at the rear of the stage and Sweeney was near the front of the stage.

Almost any Sweeney is better than no Sweeney, and it will be interesting to see how this new production might transfer to NYC.

[Sumofallthings]

Posted: 1/19/05 at 9:33pm

Sounds bizarre to me. That trumpet thing did not produce a very complimentary mental image.