Originally Posted by Karen 5th December 2006


I think it would be interesting to visit about what version of Sweeney Todd every one has read and or heard.

Has anyone seen a production? Which one? What did you think?

Do you have a favorite Sweeney and Mrs Lovett? Maybe one from one production and someone from another production?

Tell us what you think and what you've heard, seen and/or read.

Herestoyou


I haven't seen a live performance, but years ago saw the production with Angela Lansbury and George Hearn on public television. I didn't have any idea what the story was about. I was so surprised and just loved the story as it's not what I had expected from a musical.

Recently, I've rented this same performance which is out on DVD now, and I still enjoy the witty dialogue in song form. Now that Johnny will be performing the story, it seems like such a challenge for any actor as the the lyrics and music are so fast is some parts. At the same time, the actor has to have the expressions and movements that help get the character across to the audience. To be honest, I didn't think Angela Lansbury had the greatest singing voice, but it just seemed to fit so well with Mrs. Lovett. She just really was convincing with all of her mannerisms and expressions. I enjoyed Hearn's singing voice and thought he was quite good, too. I can't wait to see what Johnny will bring to this role as well.

Jesse


I've seen the 'In Concert' DVD version. That's it I'm afraid. I'd love to say I've seen a live performance, but sadly, the answer is no.

I think though that this will generate a lot of interest in the 'Sweeney Todd' production. I should imagine that many theatres will be staging their own productions, maybe even a touring show. So hopefully I'll get to see it live one day.

Karen


This is a fantastic production when seen live and sometimes there are great local productions around.

BUT both the concert version and the DVD version with Lansbury are just fantastic. They can give you a better visual idea. I can't help but wonder what this will look like in film version.

Herestoyou

Same here, especially since the sets are rather sparse in the stage performance that I watched. Seeing that Tim is so imaginative with his sets, I'm very curious to see what he does with this one.

Nurseanne8


I have only seen the DVD version with Angela and George-first time I even really was exposed to ST. I have viewed it twice and it is entertaining-I have started listening to the CD from the recent Broadway production and prefer the singing on the CD to the DVD-I hope Tim is able to capture some of the way Fleet Street looks as it is presented on the web site up last week for information-it would add a sense of time to the piece. I keep thinking of Sleepy Hollow when JD is in the courtroom and glances at the weird equipment holding a prisoner-and I wonder what type of barber chair Tim will come up with-it will be original and weird-also I wonder how the oven for the pies will look and what the smoke will look like-since he was so visual in Charlie-the oven should be something to behold. That is all I have right now.

Karen


Yes the sets are one of the things that I am really excited about..I'd love to see that the set desinger comes up with....and that chair!!! YIKES!