When I see the phrase "the ____ estate", I imagine a vast mansion in the country full of monocled men and high-collared women receiving letters about productions across the country and doing spit-takes at whatever they contain.
-Kad
Patti LuPone as the Beggar Woman? Bwhahahahaha. City on fire indeed!!
If anyone ever tells you that you put too much Parmesan cheese on your pasta, stop talking to them. You don't need that kind of negativity in your life.
The likelihood of this being filmed is pretty high, right? Even though there's a film of the original concert? I'm not sure I want to shell out the money for this.
I have to agree with others who have mixed feelings about this announcement. On one hand, I’m surprised and intrigued by Thompson’s casting and am very much looking forward to seeing her in the role. But then there’s Bryn Terfel. Sure, he’s a technically proficient singer, but what an absolute bore on stage. He’s probably going to do that really ugly awkward thing in which he sings out of the side of his mouth like some operatic Elvis, too.
Please. When has there ever been a Sweeney who hasn't been, at the very least sometimes boring. Its the least interesting character in the show (and I've seen Brian Stokes Mitchell do the part!). Pure vengeance becomes redundant and static in a character and Sweeney is no different. He does has some gorgeous music to sing that saves the character somewhat, but even Johnny Depp was somewhat stifled by the role.
I agree! No matter who plays the role of Sweeney, it's Mrs. Lovett's show 100%, always has been. In 1979, it was Lansbury's show, in 2005, it was Patti's show... Sweeney has very little dialogue, lots to sing, and basically just stands there brooding for the whole show. I brought this up in a thread aaaaaaages ago and was eaten alive by many because I stated that Sondheim wrote better for females than he did for males, and Sweeney is testament to this statement.
Somehow I have got to get in and see this. Inspired casting. Thompson has been my favorite actress for decades now, and yes she can sing it. She's got a great voice.
This could also help wash the terrible Kelsey Grammar Sweeny performance I saw in LA in the late 90s out of my brain.
I understand Owen's point about Sweeney being rather one-note. But I promise that Len Carious wasn't boring; he was terrifying! And hilarious! And heart-breaking! He doesn't have the voice of a Bob Gunton or George Hearn, but Cariou is such a cerebral performer one was drawn irresistibly into Sweeney's mind. What was he thinking and who would be his next victim!?
***
As for "stage debut", that's quite a typo. Thompson's on-stage LOOK BACK IN ANGER with Brannagh was filmed. We saw her here in Los Angeles (at the Taper) doing Shakespeare when Brannagh's company made its California debut.
She has the skills for stage work. No problem.
Updated On: 10/10/13 at 07:41 PM