The singular Cleo Laine has died at 97

[ErmengardeStopSniveling]

Posted: 7/25/25 at 10:41am

Oh how I loved her and, particularly, her interpretations of Sondheim.

Her stage credits included Julie in Show Boat on the West End in 1971, Princess Puffer in The Mystery of Edwin Drood on Broadway (for which she was Tony-nominated), the Witch in Into the Woods on the first national tour, Barry Reckord's Flesh to a Tiger at the Royal Court, and the short-lived Colette, written by her husband and longtime collaborator, John Dankworth. Her wonderful 1989 album "Cleo Sings Sondheim" won Jonathan Tunick his Grammy.

What a great life.

Obit: https://www.theguardian.com/music/2025/jul/25/cleo-laine-britain-jazz-singer-john-dankworth-dies

Here she is doing a Sondheim medley: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EdQ-401E810

Updated On: 7/25/25 at 10:41 AM

[BorisTomashevsky]

Posted: 7/25/25 at 10:46am

Thanks for sharing, and sad to read this. Incredible in DROOD but I know she did much more than that. I believe she was a Witch in Into the Woods and that her daughter played Cinderella in Woods in London. 

Editing to add: Laine backstage on the Woods national tour https://www.instagram.com/p/CukxuDKuHOQ/?hl=en

Updated On: 7/25/25 at 10:46 AM

[devonian.t]

Posted: 7/26/25 at 10:05am

Jacqui Dankworth (Cleo's daughter) is still an active performer in concerts and theatre.

Cleo's Princess Puffer is the stuff of legends!

[BrodyFosse123]

Posted: 7/26/25 at 10:12am

Here’s Cleo as The Witch in the 1st US National Tour of INTO THE WOODS sometime in 1988: 

 

[altonido]

Posted: 7/26/25 at 9:00pm

And here's Cleo Laine in "The Mystery of Edwin Drood"

 

 

Updated On: 7/26/25 at 09:00 PM

[Dom P]

Posted: 7/27/25 at 6:32am

devonian.t said: "Jacqui Dankworth (Cleo's daughter) is still an active performer in concerts and theatre.

Cleo's Princess Puffer is the stuff of legends!"

Agreed, I had the privledge of seeing her in the OBC of The Mystery of Edwin Drood. Just wonderful.

[KrupYou]

Posted: 7/27/25 at 12:56pm

REST IN PEACE

[bertilsylvander2]

Posted: 7/28/25 at 9:35pm

ErmengardeStopSniveling said: "Oh how I loved her and, particularly, her interpretations of Sondheim.

Her stage credits included Julie inShow Boaton the West End in 1971, Princess Puffer inThe Mystery of Edwin Droodon Broadway (for which she was Tony-nominated),the Witch inInto the Woodson the first national tour,Barry Reckord'sFlesh to a Tigerat theRoyal Court, and the short-livedColette,written by her husband and longtime collaborator,John Dankworth. Her wonderful 1989 album "Cleo Sings Sondheim" won Jonathan Tunick his Grammy.

What a great life.

Obit:https://www.theguardian.com/music/2025/jul/25/cleo-laine-britain-jazz-singer-john-dankworth-dies Yoplay

Here she is doing a Sondheim medley:https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EdQ-401E810"

Her interpretations of Sondheim were some of the most emotionally nuanced I’ve ever heard — “Cleo Sings Sondheim” still gives me chills.  Rest in peace, Dame Cleo.