The best Mrs. Lovett- Page 2

[Fan123]

Posted: 10/15/08 at 6:05am

"Angela was without a doubt the perfect Mrs Lovett, a very close second would be Nancey Hayes in the State opera of South Australia production, that also stared a very young Anthony Warlow back in 1988"

Nerdily, I looked this up, and couldn't find Anthony Warlow on this cast list:
http://www.pacsa.asn.au/pac/cf/prodcast.cfm?id=14
Was he a replacement? Which role did he play?

[rosscoe(au)]

Posted: 10/15/08 at 6:25am

Fan2,

Warlow played the role of Anthony Hope, the production only ran for 20 or so performances. As far as I know it was never recorded and that was a shame.

And thanks for the link, and to think it was just over 21 years ago.

[Scripps2]

Posted: 10/15/08 at 4:29pm

I love Patti Lupone in most of what she's done but struggle to listen to her performance in Sweeney as her East End accent is way off the mark. A cliched comment from a Brit I know, but it is unfortunately true.

The best Mrs Lovett I've seen was an actress whose name escapes me (will look it up and post later) in a regional production of Sweeney in York, who was a genuine EastEnder and got the whole thing buttoned down nicely.

EDIT 17/10/08: Joanna Mays was the actress I refer to above.

The Mrs Lovett I'm most sorry I missed was Elaine Paige.
Updated On: 10/17/08 at 04:29 PM

[WithoutATrace]

Posted: 10/15/08 at 4:36pm

Angela Lansbury. Without question.

[Reginald Tresilian]

Posted: 10/15/08 at 4:39pm

I quite liked LuPone's shark-like Mrs. Lovett in the concert version. She was ok in the Bway revival (and I say this as a HUGE LuPone fan), but I didn't think it was one of her best performances.

I've only seen clips of Julia Mackenzie, but she looks fascinating. I can't decide if I love her or loathe her. Probably the former.

Elaine Paige was good at City Opera, though it was difficult to judge, as she struggled so with her lines. I wouldn't say she redefined the role in any way.

And, Scripps, I don't think finding someone's accent unpersuasive is at all beside the point, cliched response or not. It's part of the performance. (Though, of course, we often go the "I'm aware, but it didn't bother me" route.)

Posted: 10/16/08 at 12:40am

Hands down, the best Mrs. Lovett I have ever seen was Judy Kaye in the national tour of the John Doyle Sweeney Todd. She was AMAZING! It is a fiendishly difficult role and she gave a masterful performance. It was a masterclass from beginning to end. I'm so lucky to have seen her in the role. WOW! WOW! WOWIE!!!!!

[Scripps2]

Posted: 10/17/08 at 1:47pm

I was choosing my words very carefully Reginald, as I've read some of the things your friend PalJoey writes about people who criticise Ms Lupone!

I couldn't imagine Elaine Paige handling this part, particularly with her searing voice and lack of subtlety and so I was surprised when I read favourable reviews of her performance.
Updated On: 10/17/08 at 01:47 PM

[nobodyhome]

Posted: 10/17/08 at 8:17pm

I went in feeling doubtful that I'd like Paige, but I came out pretty convinced. I thought her singing was very musical and her acting was very good, even if her she had no particularly original point of view on the role.

She was hurt a bit by working with Mark Delavan, who had his moments but who isn't much of an actor (and next to whom she looked like Minnie Mouse). She also had a few lyric problems, and in "My Friends," she may have been thrown by Delavan not singing the right lyrics.

But overall I was very pleasantly surprised by her performance.

[KathyGriffinLovesYou]

Posted: 10/17/08 at 8:19pm

I love all the ladies but hearing Patti sing "The Worst Pies in London" makes my heart skip a beat.