Sweeney Todd 2012 London Cast Recording

[rorschach37]

Posted: 5/11/12 at 7:28pm

I know there was a thread about this some time ago, but I can't seem to find it. Anyway, has anyone heard it yet? I'm listening now and so far it's fantastic.

[ljay889]

Posted: 5/11/12 at 7:32pm

It's pretty good. The cuts are pretty insane. The reduced orchestrations are apparent.

[binau]

Posted: 5/11/12 at 7:34pm

It is interesting to think of the scope of orchestrations recorded now though (Doyle revival, OBC, NY Phil, Film Soundtrack). I cannot believe they cut "Poor Thing" considering how apparently important Staunton's performance is in this production.

[broadwaybabytn]

Posted: 5/11/12 at 10:38pm

The bits I've heard soon like Ball is wildly inconsistent... Maybe it's a performance that has to be seen.

[CATSNYrevival]

Posted: 5/11/12 at 10:52pm

I like the Broadway revival recording better. The only performance I enjoy on this recording is the guy playing Anthony.

[EponineThenardier]

Posted: 5/18/12 at 8:05pm

I think Imelda may very be my favorite Lovett now. Her stuff in the final sequence broke my heart on the first listen. "Yes, I lied cause I love you, I've been twice the wife she was..." gave me chills. Holy baby.

[dchesnutny]

Posted: 5/19/12 at 7:24pm

I think Imelda Staunton was the best Lovett i have seen, and I've seen (and liked) many.

Her acting in many parts was chilling. My favorite was the scene directly following "Not While I"m Around" - it's clear to the audience that she realized she would have to kill Tobie, and you could see the conflict in her. It was brilliant.

If anyone gets the chance to see this Sweeney, you should go. I LOVED it.

For the record, Michael Ball was a little inconsistent in voice in performance... but he was still great.

[nasty_khakis]

Posted: 5/19/12 at 7:49pm

Staunton BROKE my heart on her "No no not lied at all..." On the recording she sings it fairly straightforward. Live she sings it taking her time "No....no.....not lie...at all" and truly gives an astonishing performance. The cut of Poor Thing makes absolutely no sense to me as well as "Pierelli's Miracle Elixer."

[IdinaBellFoster]

Posted: 5/19/12 at 8:47pm

I haven't heard the recording but I saw this production on Monday, and it's mesmerizing.

Imelda is probably the best Lovett I've ever seen, and if this production makes it's way across the pond she will be a force to be reckoned with. Her development of Lovett is different from many that we've seen before, and the costumes that they've put her in reflect that. She has an element of comedy, and not the broad comedy apparent in the Lansbury version (although fitting in that context). As everyone else has mentioned, her final scene with Sweeney in the grinding room is heartbreaking, and she throws herself into it.

Michael Ball is very good, but not my favorite interpretation of the role. That award goes to Michael Cerveris in the most recent Broadway production. He is in fine voice, and his character work is gripping, but he is over shadowed by Staunton for the majority of the evening.

The real star of this production is Jonathan Kent's direction. He perfectly blends the worlds of the productions which we seem to know the most about (The original cast and the Doyle Revival), so we have grand scale production, with dark and gore filled trauma.

John Bowe as the Judge also makes a very memorable turn. His 'Joanna' is perfectly jaw-dropping, and he is cleverly used in the staging of 'Poor Thing' to further the detest for his character.

REALLY hope this can transfer over to New York. Who cares if the last revival was only five years ago, if the show is good and people want to see it, why not bring it back if the production has the merits?

[random person 112]

Posted: 5/20/12 at 9:00am

Not to be mean but who would want to see it, so soon after the last revival? Granted, the film has gained fans outside of those that love sondeheim but, is it really enough for a real revival. Especially with people to who americans are no-names.

[Outoftowner2]

Posted: 5/20/12 at 11:52am

Saw it and loved it. The recording seems good (haven't heard it all yet). Who would want to see it? Anyone who likes good musical theater. Ball and Staunton are wonderful. She is absolutely incredible..brings so much depth to the role. She makes you realize some things are more funny than you thought, other things are more menacing than you thought. Go see this while you can.

[random person 112]

Posted: 5/20/12 at 12:10pm

Which is a small market, sad but true. Or need i refer you to the box office reciets from follies?

[ljay889]

Posted: 5/20/12 at 12:47pm

FOLLIES didn't have a successful Tim Burton film. I think SWEENEY could do well with name recognition alone.

[ray-andallthatjazz86]

Posted: 5/20/12 at 4:03pm

I was skeptical about Imelda Staunton, not for anything (she's a great great actress) but I thought she'd just be a Lansbury rehash...and then I listened to the recording. She's absolutely brilliant in every way, probably my favorite Mrs.Lovett that's being recorded. Her line readings are complex, dark, funny, haunting and ultimately unforgettable. Just the way she says the line "That's.All.Very.Well" with the pauses right after "Epiphany" is a small proof of how fantastic she is. The sexual undertone during "A Little Priest" is present like it was in the Doyle version but it's so much subtle. Her "By the Sea" is truly exceptional. I can only imagine what seeing this live must be like, and honestly, as much as I liked Helena Bonham Carter in the film, it's sort of absurd to think that Burton didn't hire Staunton instead (my understanding is she was in the short list of actresses that were considered).
And I've never been a fan of Michael Ball, he sings too pretty for my taste, but I actually have really enjoyed his Sweeney so far...maybe because it's so prettily sung weirdly enough. I hope the production does end up transferring.

[Scripps2]

Posted: 5/21/12 at 4:57pm

I don't think Imelda's screams are quite as chilling as Angela Lansbury's, otherwise this recording is utterly, utterly magnificent.

It goes someway to capturing the fear and tension in the theatre, which I find no other Sweeney recording does. And it certainly kicks the recordings of the Doyle production and the NY Philharmonic (both of which I find unlistenable) into touch.

[SonofRobbieJ]

Posted: 5/21/12 at 5:30pm

Staunton's Lovett is the best I've ever encountered. And this SWEENEY is easily in the top 5 of anything I've ever seen...ever. It's a stunning achievement.

BUT I'M STILL WAITING FOR MY F*CKING COPY OF THE CD FROM AMAZON AND I ORDERED IT ALMOST A MONTH AGO.

I should have bought it in the theatre.

[Brick]

Posted: 5/25/12 at 12:42pm

I'll go for a spoiler: Can anyone tell me what this production does with the Judge during Poor Thing that is so clever?

[Brywal88]

Posted: 10/31/12 at 9:48pm

I just saw a local production of Sweeney and became re-obsessed. I have the other major recordings of this show but am dying for a copy of this one...can anyone help me? Please? PM me...

[binau]

Posted: 10/31/12 at 9:51pm

Luckily, this one is still in print so you can buy it. Would you like me to PM you a link to where you can buy it :)?

[Brywal88]

Posted: 10/31/12 at 9:54pm

Sure!

[binau]

Posted: 10/31/12 at 10:00pm

http://www.amazon.com/Sweeney-Todd-2012-London-Album/dp/B007J5PB6C

[follies85]

Posted: 10/31/12 at 10:55pm

Oddly, Amazon.com is no longer selling the new recording (at least not directly through them).

[rosscoe(au)]

Posted: 11/1/12 at 12:04am

Without a doubt one of the most thrilling nights I have spent in a theatre ever, I am sad I never got another chance to see it.

Imelda Staunton was thrilling and one of the best performaces I have ever seen. This should have been filmed!

[binau]

Posted: 11/1/12 at 1:44am

It makes me so disappointed that I never got to see it. I really only have heard very passionate strong feelings about this production, particularly Staunton's productions. The cast recording probably doesn't do it much justice.