The best Mrs. Lovett — Page 2

"Angela was without a doubt the perfect Mrs Lovett, a very close second would be Nancey Hayes in the State opera of South Australia production, that also stared a very young Anthony Warlow back in 1988"

Nerdily, I looked this up, and couldn't find Anthony Warlow on this cast list:
http://www.pacsa.asn.au/pac/cf/prodcast.cfm?id=14
Was he a replacement? Which role did he play?

I love Patti Lupone in most of what she's done but struggle to listen to her performance in Sweeney as her East End accent is way off the mark. A cliched comment from a Brit I know, but it is unfortunately true.

The best Mrs Lovett I've seen was an actress whose name escapes me (will look it up and post later) in a regional production of Sweeney in York, who was a genuine EastEnder and got the whole thing buttoned down nicely.

EDIT 17/10/08: Joanna Mays was the actress I refer to above.

The Mrs Lovett I'm most sorry I missed was Elaine Paige.

Updated On: 10/17/08 at 04:29 PM

I quite liked LuPone's shark-like Mrs. Lovett in the concert version. She was ok in the Bway revival (and I say this as a HUGE LuPone fan), but I didn't think it was one of her best performances.

I've only seen clips of Julia Mackenzie, but she looks fascinating. I can't decide if I love her or loathe her. Probably the former.

Elaine Paige was good at City Opera, though it was difficult to judge, as she struggled so with her lines. I wouldn't say she redefined the role in any way.

And, Scripps, I don't think finding someone's accent unpersuasive is at all beside the point, cliched response or not. It's part of the performance. (Though, of course, we often go the "I'm aware, but it didn't bother me" route.)

I was choosing my words very carefully Reginald, as I've read some of the things your friend PalJoey writes about people who criticise Ms Lupone!

I couldn't imagine Elaine Paige handling this part, particularly with her searing voice and lack of subtlety and so I was surprised when I read favourable reviews of her performance.

Updated On: 10/17/08 at 01:47 PM

I love all the ladies but hearing Patti sing "The Worst Pies in London" makes my heart skip a beat.