Jim Dale: 'Come Follow the Band' -London Palladium, 1990

[@LindaLeporati]

Saw Jim Dale in Barnum on Broadway back in 1980 with Glenn Close as Charity Barnum. Loved the show and Jim Dale's performance so much that when it ended, I went to the box office and bought tickets to see it again along with my family. They loved it as well.

[@robertglatter8743]

Jim Dale won the Tony Award for this role in 1980. He was fabulous in this show. I saw both Jim Dale and Glen Close on Broadway.

[@ronsadventures2007]

The og greatest showman

[@kevins.butler3402]

My mom and I saw Mr.Dale perform in "Barnum"at Times Sq.'s St. James theater in the late 1980's. My mom hated the show..but..I loved it.

[@BlanchFury]

I'd love to see the whole show! I was a fan of Jim Dale from his Disney movies, so when Barnum opened on Broadway, I bought the album (I was in high school, I couldn't afford to go to New York!), and played it to the point of annoyance to my parents. Later, I became a fan of Michael Crawford, and bought the VHS of Barnum...their interpretations were different, but both were marvelous. Jim Dale was a bit more maniacal (kind of like he was channeling Doc Terminus), and Michael Crawford's was a bit more bittersweet.

[@BlanchFury]

You are so right about the difference in their performances. I bought the album too and almost drove my parents crazy, because I would play it on the stereo in the living room. I made everyone I knew listen to it.

[@akorakazi]

@@BlanchFury u know u r talkin to urself

[@LonePyreFilms]

​@keoneditzz9955 sometimes that's the only way you can have an intelligent conversation lol

[@EmilyGloeggler7984]

Actually, Jim Dale was first before Michael on Broadway. Michael did portray PT in the UK first though.

[@stephenr3910]

My parents saw Jim Dale in "Me And My Girl" on Broadway and thought he was great.

[@jvallas]

My aunt was in that show and loved him (one actor to another).

[@jessied44]

Saw Jim Dale and Glenn Close in Los Angeles. A wonderful show.

[@jvallas]

Man, I was wondering what this had to do with Jim Dale!

[@antoniosergio7701]

gostaria de ver o espetáculo completo ok abs obrigado brasil rio e janeiro.

[@amyclarke41]

yes

[@pmstar117]

Catchy

[@nathanielhirshfeld5618]

Aloha!

[@craigslivka1]

Michael was Jim's understudy in the original Broadway production

[@ppuh6tfrz646]

No, he wasn't.

[@craigslivka1]

@@ppuh6tfrz646 I went to see the original run of Barnum with Jim Dale, and an insert was put into the program saying the Michael Crawford was appearing for Jim Dale in the role of PT Barnum for that day. I loved the show, knew all the songs from the record, and was disappointed, I thought Crawford was mediocre at best.

[@ppuh6tfrz646]

@@craigslivka1 Michael Crawford appeared in the role just for that day? I have to say, that seems a bit unlikely. How did he know the entire part and how did he happen to be in New York at the time? In any case, from what I've seen (which is admittedly very little), Dale looked far better in the role than Crawford. Here are two clips of the same number: kzbin.info/www/bejne/oYm0ammalKp1brs kzbin.info/www/bejne/q5mUqK2Ams6MhKc Crawford just seems to be going through the motions whereas Dale really puts life into his performance.

[@craigslivka1]

@@ppuh6tfrz646 Jim Dale was amazing in the role. having heard him on the cast album and watching him in a few numbers on youtube. Michael was Jim's understudy at the time. Which explains why he was appearing in the role that day, when Jim was out sick. Having an understudy for a lead in the cast is common practice on Broadway.

[@ppuh6tfrz646]

@@craigslivka1 I fully understand that having an understudy is not only common but also necessary. However, the IBDB (Internet Broadway Database) which is very comprehensive (and includes understudies) has no record of Michael Crawford having any involvement in Barnum on Broadway.

[@PBLE20]

I like Jim Dale but honestly I think Michael Crawford did it way better. PLUS he insisted on filming it so we can own the video. 😊

[@goldheartbadge]

Jim's one of the greatest all-rounders ever to come from Britain - but he does hiss-ss his s-es, doess-ssn't he?

[@anthonyrhodes6768]

Is this where the idea of The Greatest Showman came from?

[@williampelto6095]

It's not the same without the two pianos interlude.

[@JoshFreilich]

In the original orchestrations, there does happen to be a little New Orleans improv from the horn players! I wonder what happened, did the copyist forget to cross it out?

[@themagman1]

Dale created the role

[@amyclarke41]

ok

[@dragonaire64]

great performance but Shame he cant get the lyrics right when you hear the leader proudly raise his hands shouldn't that be when you see the leader raise proudly his hands ..... check it out at 3 mins 18 seconds

[@dragonaire64]

@ITCJon yes but watch at 3 mins 19 seconds he sings the lyric as " & when you hear the leader Proudly raise his hands " where as it should be " & when you SEE the leader Proudly raise his hand "

[@mr.d5314]

i came to the comments to say exactly this but you beat me to it. you'd expect better from someone like him... even frank spencer managed to get it right lol.

[@jvallas]

I can't imagine actors never mess up words.

[@bobanderson3009]

Why is the audience clapping along? This is a show, not a sing-a-long.

[@hamplon1]

Because the Brits have this supremely irritating habit of doing that whenever and wherever possible - it's totally infantile but seems to be embedded in the culture.

[@brahma.5762]

Participation is a thing now. Actively participate, or passively observe, both are one and the same. It doesn't matter. From a performing perspective, I perform better knowing the audience is enjoying themselves, and I give more energy.

[@JoshFreilich]

Oh, and during a song/staging like this, it’s very hard not to.

[@jayworthy7828]

@@hamplon1 Not dissimilar to the American habit of applauding a star performer when they walk on stage, even in plays...if you're talking supreme irritation that tops the lot. Oh and this was on a TV variety show, clapping along is de rigueur.

[@Msdinomite]

Because this was part of a variety show where clapping and things like this are acceptable

[@psosna]

The roll most certainly was NOT created by Michael Crawford!! The roll was specifically written for Jim Dale; there is an episode of The Tom Snyder show with Jim Dale and Cy Coleman, who wrote the score. I can't believe this has been up for 8 years and this hasn't been corrected! en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Barnum_(musical)#