STAGE TUBE: Judi Dench Sings 'Send in the Clowns' for Sondheim's 80th

Stage and screen star Judi Dench paid special tribute to Stephen Sondheim on July 31, 2010 as part of the Sondheim at 80 BBC Proms event, celebrating the composer's 80th birthday. Dench performed her rendition of "Send In the Clowns" from A Little Night Music, which she claims to be "hugely exciting" but "daunting." The song selection for the actress was a no-brainer, as allegedly, "On hearing Dame Judi's performance of Send In The Clowns at the National Theatre in 1995, Sondheim is said to have told the acclaimed actress: "It's yours now."

The Sondheim at 80 Prom took place at the Royal College of Music, with tickets ranging from £7-£35, price band A or Prom for £5. The entire event was broadcast live on BBC Radio 3 at 7:30pm and on BBC Two at 8.00pm.

Dench has said of Sondheim: "His impact on musical theatre can never be overstated and I'm delighted to be part of his 80th birthday celebrations at the BBC Proms."

Also performing at the concert were Bryn Terfel, Simon Russell Beale, Daniel Evans, Maria Friedman, Caroline O'Connor, Julian Ovenden and Jenna Russell who will perform songs from such Sondheim favorites as Follies, Sunday In The Park With George, Into The Woods, The Frogs, Company, A Funny Thing Happened On The Way To The Forum and Sweeney Todd.

For more information, visit http://www.bbc.co.uk/proms/2010/whatson/3107.shtml

Audio of the complete concert is now online here. Video is also available for those in the UK only.