"Everybody Ought to have a Maid" - Sondheim's 80th Birthday Celebration - BBC Proms 2010

[@liannapfister8255]

The fact that they’re about 85% solid on the choreography just makes it better

[@martinsorenson1055]

I think you're being generous with that 85%.

[@liannapfister8255]

Part of the reason I say 85% is because there are 4 of them. They all know some of it and some of them know all of it. _Collectively,_ they’re about 85% solid.

[@martinsorenson1055]

@@liannapfister8255 You're right. I watched it again, and things really only get a little messy after Bryn shows up. Not sure what I was thinking or seeing.

[@Inkyabyss]

This is just a campy lark. I'm sure nobody was aiming for perfection in this performance. 🙂

[@peterflowerday4561]

😂😂😂Sy

[@NancyVanSoest]

You can tell that these guys are having a great time, especially Julian Ovenden. He is smiling at the audience every time he's not singing. Great performance.

[@witchywoman2008]

There's something about watching them perform this in tuxedos that just cracks me up.

[@XxCluelessCaitlinxX]

Love how the older guy who is really camp gets all the slightly pervy lines! DAMN THIS IS SO GOOD!

[@legionaireb]

I assume you know the context of this song?

[@Mxyzptlksac]

and yet he makes it seems less perky and more fun

[@vickibolsover6559]

when you are having a bad day watch this a number of times, you will feel so much better.

[@cmarcukaitis]

Bryn Terfel as the fourth guy is priceless 😂 You can tell who’s the opera boy 😂😂

[@cannibalisticrequiem]

I love that he was a good sport about it! They look like they're having great fun!

[@SingTiggSing]

I love the fact that the audience just didn't know it was coming... Their relish in singing is brilliant! I wish the opening of the Prom was on as well....

[@IAmNotHarriet]

So glad I got tickets to this prom, it was one of the best nights I've had in ages! Anyone who says Sondheim is too serious should be forced to sit down and watch this video!!

[@RAFMnBgaming]

I mean we certainly throw our ire his way, but never for that reason...

[@Lokster71]

What I really like about this is that the orchestra members not playing seem to be really enjoying it as well. It's great. Cheers me up every time I watch it.

[@CDB8939]

Another Orchestra where the musicians have a great time is the John Wilson Orchestra

[@MrVideeeooo]

My uncle, who was 93, passed away today :( This was just his favourite, favourite piece of theatre/TV and used to sing it, along with the hand actions, constantly 😄 I can't say I know much about Sondheim or musicals, but I know that whenever I watch this it reminds of him and seriously cheers me up. It is genius. I think I need to start watching more Sondheim. This one's for you, Uncle Mo 🤗

[@MrSwifts31]

Rest In Peace Uncle,and be reassured that Sondheim's music will go on,and bring happy memories for MrVideeeooo

[@PittsburghSonido]

MrVideeeooo my uncle showed me this play. This ones for you though, mo! :)

[@markschildberg1667]

You are in for such a treat. I’ve loved Sondheim’s music for more than 40 years.

[@oscar646]

I never got to meet your dear late uncle but from everything I know about him, I love him!

[@MrVideeeooo]

@@oscar646 Thank you! And how funny, you commented exactly 5 years to the day. Will be watching this video a few times today, cheers! :)

[@Danakadj]

First performner is Simon Russell Beale, second performer is Daniel Evans, third peformer is Julian Ovenden and finally of course Bryn Terfel

[@olly-kai]

Thanks! I knew Ovenden and Terfel, but not the first two. 💚

[@sedwards2207]

Is there anything Simon Russell Beale can’t do?! ❤️

[@fairlyvague82]

@@sedwards2207 I want @Daniel Jones to answer you after 11 years 🤣🤣🤣

[@sedwards2207]

@@fairlyvague82 True! 😀

[@patriciacarter9293]

@@sedwards2207 My favourite actor

[@zuhalyilmaz6624]

Julian Ovenden is a national treasure.He always does the best

[@Rambam1776]

I will never, never get tired of watching this clip

[@scottcopeland2590]

Shocked by how much of a strong dancer Julian is. Love how all of them seem so happy to be there.

[@willf.5608]

I would watch the " Forum" movie over and over again when I was a kid in the 1960's. I loved all of the song's, but the scene with Zero Mostel and his cast doing this number was always my favorite part. These guys did a great job emulating the tongue in cheek nature of the tune..Bravo. BTW..My second favorite scene/ song from the movie is the entrance of " Milos Gloriosus"...Everyone needs their own theme song...lol

[@bettyvalentine140]

Congratulations to the brilliant Sir Simon Russell Beale-I would give you a knighthood just for the amount of pleasure this clip has given me over the years. : )

[@bman342a]

Just brilliant. Gives me a smile each time I watch this. Sondheim must have loved this take on this classic. The clap at the last turn puts a great punctuation mark on the whole performance.

[@richardharrison1731]

Great stuff. Faithful to the original orchestration. No violins, just violas and celli. Revive forum!

[@bookwoman53]

That's where the comedy comes in. People who haven't seen it think it's over and it's not.

[@juanmonge8]

These guys made me love this number!

[@kevanjackson2504]

Absolutely and utterly fabulous!!!!

[@KCBearcat]

I've just started rehearsals for this show and this is one of my favorite songs.

[@apnoakes]

So well done. I love A Funny Thing Happened on the way the Forum it's such a fun show to do and to watch. Very silly yes but delightfully so. It's a shame it's not performed more often. I played Hysterium in a production the same year this Prom was done.

[@nathankinkade4171]

Nice. I played Marcus Lycus in 2002 in a public theater. It was the most fun I'd ever had on stage. My best friend played Hysterium on stage next to me.

[@jasonstarr5894]

First time I ever saw it was at a community theater. Fell off my seat laughing! Was blessed, lo these 35 years ago to play Pseudolus in a local non-equity dinner theater production. Then followed up a year later as one of the Proteans to Ronny Graham's Pseudolus in an equity dinner theater production. Greatest fun I ever had on stage. Edit: Previous comment was apparently in 2017. Don't even remember having seen this. Today, July, 2024. Was going to leave this comment: Even without the sets and context, this is one of the most fun songs/bits ever, whether it's performing it or watching it. I've watched the Nathan Lane, Lewis Stadlen pirated video of this song dozens of times on KZbin and am always amazed at how entertaining and engaging the piece is. Sondheim has done many brilliant theatrical things in his time, but none I like better than this one.

[@irisbjones]

I was one of the twins - so much fun every night on stage and I can still sing all the harmonies. Just a brilliant show.

[@martinsorenson1055]

It is amazingly the kind of show that works with community theater troupes up to Broadway. Every time I have seen it, it has made me laugh. The movie still makes me laugh. (When I saw it on Broadway with Nathan Lane, I was laughing so hard the kid sitting next to me stopped watching the show and watched me instead. Yeah, it got a little awkward, but I was literally slapping my knee throughout it.)

[@jasonstarr5894]

@@irisbjones Good times!!! Glad you had the opportunity. Of the many times I've seen this show performed, the courtesans were always cast beautifully!!

[@jasonstarr5894]

@@martinsorenson1055 The first time I saw it, I had the same reaction. My wife at the time was inured to my laughter. With theatrical voice training, wherever I sat, everyone in the theater knew if I thought something was funny because the entire house could hear the laughter. I have always been fascinated by how much Lewis Stadlen's portrayal of Senex in the Nathan Lane version pulled from vaudeville roots. Since I did NOT see it in person, I had to do a bunch of online detective work to finally tracked down who he was. Now, if I could just figure out how to email him a fan letter!!

[@oldgypsytap]

This is so delicious, I can hardly stand it! Makes my day everytime I see it.

[@reneehurt387]

Rest in peace Mr Stephen sondheim. We will be singing your songs 🎵 as long as there is Broadway. My favorite will always ❤ be Maria from West Side Story

[@peterglover5611]

Never get tired of watching this cheers me up every time

[@alidabaxter5849]

This is what I go to no matter how low I feel - I absolutely adore it and it always makes me happy. I saw the first English production of Funny Thing Happened On The Way To The Forum and the audience was cheering from "Comedy Tonight" on. Forget the dreadful film, the show is wonderful, and this particular clip is pure delight.

[@edward311]

I couldn't agree more. Its fantastically uplifting and they are all brilliant.

[@blachubear]

What are you talking about, the movie is great.

[@HannibalFan52]

@@blachubear The film is fun, I'll grant you. However, it leaves out half the songs, including the most important one, 'Free', in which Pseudolus expresses his desire for freedom. It also leaves out 'I'm Calm' (a tour-de-force for Hysterium) and 'That Dirty Old Man', which explains why Domina acts the way she does. It added a lot of unnecessary business, like the gladiator training sequence, the search for mare's sweat, and the chariot chase. Jon Pertwee was supposed to play Lycus, since he was the original London performer of the role, until they got Phil Silvers instead, so they created a tiny role of a boat captain especially for him. One of the best parts was Buster Keaton in his last role, doing most of his own stunts (except for the long-shots in the chariot chase).

[@darthstarkiller1912]

Loved this musical since I was 14. Was an extra in a high school production when I was a freshman.

[@sharlenewalker9547]

Tongue in cheek smut. Love it! Can't wait to get the boys singing this during the Amatur Dramatics show that I'll be directing.

[@jeffreymiller4814]

Simon Russell Beale’s performance as Beria in The Death of Stalin was absolutely flawless.

[@nicolab2075]

I saw him as Edward II many years ago in Stratford. It's the best performance i have ever seen, of anything, anywhere.

[@sazfretz1945]

Sondheim is brilliant! My fave show of his is "Into the Woods".

[@Macrogue65]

Absolutely brilliant.

[@Frederatormusic]

4:00 BRILLIANT the guy on the right messed up which foot went in front and did a little hop and the guy behind him did the same to look consistent.

[@donaldmiller2306]

They all did it; it was part of the choreography.

[@penguincommunity6218]

I can see how you might have thought 💭 so, but the little hop was part of the choreography. As was pointed out, all four of them did it - in time with the music. These are consumate performers. If the guy in the right had actually messed up, they would have ignored it.

[@lissaevans164]

@@penguincommunity6218 Also 'the guy on the right' is Bryn Terfel, one of the greatest opera singers in the world and emphatically not a hoofer - that's part of the joy!

[@MartinHatchuel]

What a hell of a lot of fun! Haha!

[@aidanmarshall6282]

I love how chaotic this is!

[@Edmqueen]

i LOVE this song omg....

[@coloraturaElise]

It was a treat when Julian Ovenden came out and was so good, and then a surprise to get Bryn Terfel, and he threw himself into....bravi, boys!

[@Curtiz2008]

I have seen the movie.I have seen the play. I have even been in the play. But this is by far my favorite production of this number.

[@fairlyvague82]

Camp as Christmas and I love it! 👸🏼👸🏻👸🏽

[@ritawing1064]

"......a.serving girl....a loyal and unswerving girl" . One of the great rhymes of all times.

[@irisbjones]

agree! the entire show of forum is a masterclass in rhyme.

[@danscott2289]

Simon Russell Beale's performance feels loads darker after seeing him in The Death of Stalin..

[@MrMusicalMad]

I wasn't to aware of Sondheims music but after seeing this prom i love it. Sondheims musical rock!

[@markschildberg1667]

He is Broadway's Shakespeare.

[@cameronlopez4473]

Absolutely, silly and delightful.

[@dnf-dead]

How can you not like this song?

[@sethstronguncut]

3:26 - Lol! Love how the band just😊 starts playing again

[@AmandaCaines]

a real tribute to Frankie Howerd...its as camp as a row of tents...filled with inuendo but its not at all funny. - its more than that! ... its HILARIOUS! funest thing Ive seen in ages..... thank you BBC!

[@PatLikesThese]

What a funny and delightful number. For those of us not familiar with these gentlemen, I wonder if they could be identified. Thank you.

[@tdc1991x]

Patrick Kerwin In order of appearance they are: Simon Russell Beale, Daniel Evans, Julian Ovenden and Bryn Terfel.

[@dannyhayes4474]

Why am I strangely attracted to the shy little bald one? Is it just me?

[@misfittoys5873]

Definitely not just you

[@RAFMnBgaming]

He has that Patrick Stewart sex appeal.

[@MayorMcCheeseStalker]

Gross.

[@jamesa.fitzpatrick1566]

What a bunch of cuties

[@deboerkanna1]

I have watched this at least 50 times...

[@intheatremode]

Daniel Evans is a joy and absolutely adorable in this.

[@RAFMnBgaming]

A truly fantastic song, especially if you're in an amdram group and you don't have enough male singers to fill the parts. Very amusing.

[@JoshSelley]

Someone commented on the size difference between Bryn Terfel and the others and so I took the time to find out myself. Bryn is 6'4; Julian Ovendon is 5'10; Simon Russell Beale is 5'6 give or take and Daniel Evans is around 5'7 or 5'8.

[@sedwards2207]

Bravo!

[@lauraharrisonmakeup]

Fantastic!

[@cerberus144]

"Forum" is my favorite musical.

[@mrquartetman]

Even if someone posted about this before, to save your having to scroll down forever - the four performers are Daniel Evans, Julian Ovendon, Simon Russell Beale and Bryn Terfel (in that order at the end). I don't think I realized before how large Terfel is. He towers over the others.

[@jonwiley2592]

And because American TV is too profit driven. The BBC has the freedom to concentrate on producing excellent content.. in contrast in America the concentration is on where to place the commercials and for what demographic. I am always accused of being an Anglophile. The truth is I simply enjoy excellent programming

[@miquelputxet]

Increible !!!!!!!

[@arnoldstollar5375]

Great acting.

[@patdougherty3352]

I can't get enough of this. Just so... entertaining, with no agenda. And to this 'merican, so veddy British.

[@AmandaCaines]

a real tribute to Frankie Howerd...camp...filled with inuenendo but its not at all funny.... its HILARIOUS! funest thing Ive seen in ages..... thank you BBC!

[@fatheranthony4pope]

I never noticed that in the million times I have watched this! Well spotted

[@Coldstreamer17]

This sooo much better than the original

[@cabronicusmaximuschingonic1062]

For some reason,, I can't help feeling that today, that song would be frowned upon.

[@martinsorenson1055]

I'm not frowning.

[@Blueberryyymuffin]

I can see why, it is a bit objectifying. But oh well, I’d still sing it to tease people when they are cleaning 😄

[@aptreadwell]

The movie version would only be of interest to those wanting to see Zero Mostel, Phil Silvers, Michael Hordern and Jack Gilford perform this impeccably. So much so the BBC are 'borrowing' the choreography.

[@WinterFairyG]

One does not simply NOT do a jazz square while performing this song

[@oscar646]

Just a little too much darlingness going on here and I find divinely discombobulating!!

[@hethomas2]

That "older guy" is the wonderful Simon Russell Beale. Check out some of his work, he's amazing

[@troygaspard6732]

Such a fuckin fun song to sing.

[@GrandiaKnight]

So I've just seen Simon Russell Beale in The Death of Stalin and I can't help thinking this song is now filled with dark subtext.

[@charlietheanteater3918]

GrandiaKnight Lol Beryia sings this song as he molests the Russian maids in his basement

[@imisstoronto3121]

This song calls for Mostel, Silvers and Gilford.

[@JaimeRobateau]

I pissed myself.

[@forzalarobur]

I expected loads of comments complaining about the political incorrectness of the song. I'm pleased to say, not the case!

[@grantc4516]

Gimme a break!

[@laytonjones2093]

Wished Daniel Evans did more in the front of the theatre

[@sifridbassoon]

the first time I ever saw Forum was on tv when I was in high school. I could not stop laughing through the entire movie. No, it's never performed now because, WOW can you imagine the protests with this song alone "everybody ought to have a maid....a menial." MY GOD! it would never even open.

[@ronaldcammarata3422]

Why do people have to lie to fit their bizarre agendas? It's played all the time.

[@vintage_life]

RIP Sondheim

[@viktoriaf.1191]

Who’s the bald guy! He’s amazing and his voice sounds so familiar

[@CDB8939]

Daniel Evans

[@danalogue]

wow

[@WinterFairyG]

I mean like you HAVE to do a jazz square when you perform this song

[@Majik47]

Amazon UK now has it.

[@breezingby2611]

Simon Russell Beale is adorable

[@slicknick5387]

Th Worst Roommate brought me here…

[@nokocchi1983]

lmao @ all the people clapping bc they never heard the song before

[@fatheranthony4pope]

Does Simon forget the dance moves at 4:18 ?

[@OldSpice1960]

This is why we pay our licence fee!

[@ieuanbriers]

NO WAY IS THIS 10 YEARS OLD!

[@gareergareer]

Any body knows who is the first singer in this song

[@andrewlemaire2636]

The third guy looks like Robb Stark. :)

[@nokocchi1983]

whos the third guy?

[@Kasino80]

Julian Ovenden. He's a brilliant actor/singer. He played Foyle's son in the crime show Foyle's War set during WWII. A brilliant show btw.

[@dorothywagstaff3792]

Julian Ovenden - his voice is just stunning. He's a brilliant actor as well.

[@graavy]

These cats sound soooo square on those big band-ish interludes

[@cruisematt8585]

Of course Evans' has a good voice but for me, Nathan Lane owns that part

[@HannibalFan52]

I saw Nathan Lane as Pseudolus on Broadway. (Ernie Sabella, his 'Lion King' partner-in-crime, was Lycus.) Mr. Lane was excellent, as he always is, but my favorite Pseudolus is Zero Mostel, the creator of the role. (My favorite Hysterium will always be Jack Gilford, too.)

[@craigwilliams3312]

Micheal Horndern and Phil Silvers, Jack and of course, Zero. The Fab Four of this number.

[@Appletank8]

Kobayashi got one now.

[@butitsliamthospeedruns8528]

1:16 ^^^^^ personal mark

[@clickchocolatemousse]

Hey

[@juanmonge8]

One more time…

[@charlieni645]

Stephen Sondheim: born in America, thrived in England. I think it says something about cultural differences.

[@wateragua1613]

ARNOLD SCHWARZENEGGER AGREES.

[@coro35]

It's a totally stupid show, and a stupid song....but "utterly delightful"....having Terfel is a masterstroke