Was Shirley Bassey ever in a musical?

[Leadingplayer]

Posted: 11/17/12 at 1:55am

If no...why not?

[theeatah]

Posted: 11/17/12 at 4:36am

Because she hasn't got the range.

[Will42]

Posted: 11/17/12 at 4:41am

I think Dame Shirley could've been an interesting Solange in Follies.

[darreyl102]

Posted: 11/17/12 at 4:44am

Shirley herself explains why:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Xdyj-Nd0gJA

[MattDean]

Posted: 11/17/12 at 7:08am

According to a recent, excellent, BBC drama about her early career, she was very nearly cast as Nancy in the film, Oliver! At the time, she had released the song As Long As He Needs Me and it was a major hit in the UK. Shirley's manager was in talks with the film studio, who were seriously considering her for the part. Unfortunately for Shirley, the studio deliberated over casting her and eventually backed away as they thought the public would not accept a 'black' Nancy. Once they made their decision they immediately cast Sharni Wallis and announced this in the papers - which is how Miss Bassey discovered she had lost out. She was not happy!

[wildcat]

Posted: 11/17/12 at 9:42am

I believe she was offered KISS OF THE SPIDER WOMAN at some point.

[ajh]

Posted: 11/17/12 at 9:51am

Yes Wildcat, I think that's true. There were a couple of press reports near the end of Chita Rivera's run in the London KISS OF THE SPIDERWOMAN that Bassey would be taking over, but it ended up being Bebe Neuwirth. Not sure what happened.

[explorer]

Posted: 11/17/12 at 10:46am

At least Shirley was on Broadway twice in concert.

[best12bars]

Posted: 11/17/12 at 11:13am

That performance of "As If We Never Said Goodbye" is brilliant. Thanks for sharing that link.

[goldenboy]

Posted: 11/17/12 at 12:50pm

I'm fairly certain she did Showboat in London.

[Jon]

Posted: 11/17/12 at 3:13pm

No, that was Cleo Laine.

[bobs3]

Posted: 11/17/12 at 3:38pm

She is quite the Diva. She insists on being called "Dame Shirley" (much like another Diva who insists on being called "Miss Ross").

[hermajesty]

Posted: 11/17/12 at 3:46pm

she wasn't an actress and never could be

[wildcat]

Posted: 11/17/12 at 4:47pm

goldenboy, she did a studio cast album of SHOWBOAT

[best12bars]

Posted: 11/17/12 at 6:06pm

"she wasn't an actress and never could be."

You know, I wish there were certain film actors and actresses who had such insight and understanding about their singing.

[goldenboy]

Posted: 11/18/12 at 6:00pm

ah I remember that studio cast recording of showboat. didn't realize it wasn't a production.

[MrMidwest]

Posted: 11/18/12 at 7:52pm

With One Look

[My Oh My]

Posted: 11/18/12 at 8:42pm

It takes a special artist to own up to their limitations, even more reach a place within that makes peace with those limitations enough to state it as a simple matter of fact. Most would be inclined to state otherwise and spend entire careers proving they aren't capable, despite their ambition.

About that "As If We Never Said Goodbye" performance: that last note made me laugh but not in a bad way, but because it was totally unexpected, and had her distinct colors shamelessly smudged all over it. You go Dame Shirley!

Just saw the "With One Look" vid above and I'm digging her tiny but effective lyric change from "when I speak, it's with my soul" to "when I speak, it's with soul." =)

The alternate orchestration she uses on her renditions are almost always well done. Anyone knows who does them?

Updated On: 11/18/12 at 08:42 PM

[frontrowcentre2]

Posted: 11/19/12 at 1:16pm

I remember a LP from teh 1960's called BASSEY BELTS THE BEST.

I just looked the album up on Castalbums,org and figured out what happened.

EMI in the U.K put out an LP SHIRLEY STOPS THE SHOW with these songs:

Side A
01. Everything's Coming Up Roses
02. The Sweetest Sounds
03. He Loves Me
04. I Believe In You
05. People
06. The Lady Is A Tramp
Side B
01. Once In A Lifetime
02. Something Wonderful
03. A Lot Of Livin' To Do
04. If Ever I Would Leave You
05. Somewhere
06. I Could Have Danced All Night

When U.A. issued the album in the U.S. & Canada wit was retitled BASSEY BELTS THE BEST, added the single of Goldfinger as the lead track on Side A (making it necessary to drop The Lady is a Tramp as the final track on Side A.)