A LITTLE NIGHT MUSIC – London 1996 / Judi Dench

[Jorge21]

Posted: 1/30/15 at 10:23am

On my trip to London in May 1996, one of the shows I chose to see was the National Theatre production of A LITTLE NIGHT MUSIC starring Judi Dench. When I bought tickets to see it I never thought that I was about to see what would become a legendary production of this Stephen Sondheim musical. I loved every minute and I thought Dench was pure perfection as Desirée and back then I wrote my thoughts about it. Now, I decide to reproduce them, plus a lot of photos from that production, on my blog. Here is the link: http://themusicalchronicles.blogspot.pt/2015/01/a-little-night-music-london-1996.html

Updated On: 1/30/15 at 10:23 AM

[PalJoey]

Posted: 1/30/15 at 12:06pm

There are two videos, I believe, of her singing "Send in the Clowns"--one from the time of the production and the other from 10 years or so later. Both are riveting.

And if I prefer Glynis Johns after seeing and loving the original production six times, I mean no disrespect to Dame Judi.

As a matter of fact, I think her response might be "As well you should!"

[ljay889]

Posted: 1/30/15 at 12:10pm

Thanks for the photos. It has always fascinated me that the normally lenient Sondheim apparently had such issues with this production and prevented it from transferring to Broadway.

[Gothampc]

Posted: 1/30/15 at 12:29pm

"It has always fascinated me that the normally lenient Sondheim apparently had such issues with this production and prevented it from transferring to Broadway."

I hadn't heard that. What was the trouble?

This was the same time period when people were trying to get an American production with Glenn Close playing Desiree.

[PalJoey]

Posted: 1/30/15 at 12:35pm

There are four videos, actually.


From 1995:

http://youtu.be/04E8Y8nDfRQ


From 1996:

http://youtu.be/0rEhOnd8S-8


From 1998:

http://youtu.be/yE3dLzIYKs8


And from 2010:

http://youtu.be/yvZex3Qf7QQ

Updated On: 1/30/15 at 12:35 PM

[lotiloti]

Posted: 1/30/15 at 1:15pm

In case you haven't seen them. South Bank show on Sondheim.


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=04E8Y8nDfRQ
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Pa646nfBeY8
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uC0K1Ka_jyk
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6IdcHvDPa-c

[ljay889]

Posted: 1/30/15 at 1:50pm

I think the word was that they incorporated the film Glamorous Life and My Husband The Pig without his permission.

[Gothampc]

Posted: 1/30/15 at 2:48pm

"I think the word was that they incorporated the film Glamorous Life and My Husband The Pig without his permission."

I don't see how they could do that. It wasn't like it was the Blackpool Community Players. This was a major production in a capital city starring Judi Dench and commissioned by Her Royal Highness Elizabeth R.

[Scripps2]

Posted: 1/30/15 at 3:07pm

"commissioned by Her Royal Highness Elizabeth R."

Make that Her Royal Highness Cameron M, who made a substantial donation to the budget.

[Theatrical Landladies]

Posted: 1/30/15 at 3:17pm

I loved this too and it was brilliant but not perfect. Apparently Sondheim wasn't keen on the massive staging as he always felt the show to be a more intimate experience. I sat in the "mezz" and there were lots of times when the Nationals "drum" was lowered for a set change leaving a chasm mid-stage.

Judi was sublime though and absolutely hilarious! A Weekend In The Country was an outstanding end to act 1.

[Jorge21]

Posted: 1/31/15 at 12:05pm

PalJoey, I wish I had seen Glynis Johns on it.

[gcal]

Posted: 1/31/15 at 1:13pm

I love the Glamorous Life mashup from this production, and I think Judi's "Send in the Clowns" is heartbreakingly beautiful.

[PianoMann]

Posted: 1/31/15 at 1:40pm

Despite being a huge fan of A Little Night Music, I've just begun to learn about this production. I had no idea that the cast recording was so rare and valuable; does anyone know if it's available digitally? I would love to hear it!

[Scripps2]

Posted: 2/1/15 at 12:27pm

Whenever I listen to the recording of this production I think it can't have been as unsatisfying as I remember it. And yet, whenever I see the few photographs there are and those vids that were on Youtube a while back, they confirm my memories.

As the OP suggests in his review the stunning and outstanding performances of the women in the cast stole the show. The physical production did, however, struggle to fill the enormous stage and the cast galloping around rather than waltzing didn't help matters. And those non-period umbrellas in the photographs, I'd forgotten those, but they don't help either.

Updated On: 2/1/15 at 12:27 PM

[AnthonyB]

Posted: 2/1/15 at 3:58pm

PianoMann I don't have the physical CD but somehow (don't actually know how) my cousin in Australia has the cast recording and sent it to me digitally. If you give me an email address I can try and share it with you, should you wish.

[PianoMann]

Posted: 2/1/15 at 4:36pm

Anthony, I sent you a PM, thanks!!

[AnthonyB]

Posted: 2/2/15 at 1:32am

Just to clarify, this was not an open invitation to send this to anyone and everyone who has read the post so (kindly) do not send requests or PM me.

Thanks