Send in the Clowns - Glynis Johns (BBC Documentary Footage)

Taken originally from an undated BBC documentary about Hal Prince, though this clip comes from a 2001 interview with Sondheim. Performance undated. A much more upgraded version of this footage than I have seen before, and this may be her finest performance of the number. Some slight bits of narration heard, not the full song.

[@showtunestarpower]

So many wonderful people have performed this great song beautifully. Yet, for me, I always go back to Glynis Johns as my point of reference. This clip is a wonderful capture of her performance with excellent lighting, camera work and audio. I hope that., someday, the public is able to see the entire, unedited version of this performance. But, once again, I thank G.E. for giving us another incredible clip.

[@stevekunde123]

It was a song that was written specifically for her.

[@cheshirecdo1837]

Such a sad loss but a wonderful career. RIP Glynis John's. Your legacy will remain with you.

[@candygirl2224]

Sondheim wrote this specifically with her vocal range in mind. Happy 100th birthday, beautiful Glynis. ❤

[@leroydubois8794]

My God, she was talented and beautiful.

[@MyDaisy66]

Beautiful lady. Such a powerful voice ❤️

[@douglasparker577]

A simply stunning rendition of a magnificent song. A wonderful face. An exquisite, unique voice. What a talent you were Glynis Johns. As bright as any star in the sky. Love Douglas.

[@janedukes7365]

Perfection. Sung how it should be sung .

[@garrylloyd9497]

RIP Glynis Johns. A wonderful song beautifully performed.

[@charliewest1221]

Happy, happy birthday dearest Glynis Johns, Grand Dame of British and Hollywood cinema and theatre. Congratulations on reaching the B I G 1 0 0 ! ! ! Thank you for all the wonderful hours of joy and entertainment you have brought to me and to thousands of your adoring fans. Enjoy a glorious day. May you be blessed with many more years of good health and happiness. With lots of love! 05 October 2023

[@jonldn]

Sadly she is not a Dame why this honour was not bestowed on her is a scandal imo.

[@mrs.herculepoirot7763]

Thank you Glynis, heaven is lucky to have you.

[@execelsior999]

The ultimate version - although I also love Judy Dench's version.

[@allenjones3130]

I will always remember Ms. Johns for her portrayal of Winifred in "Mary Poppins". Rest in peace, Glynis.

[@kools67]

RIP Glynis Johns

[@donnawaldron3261]

R I P. One of my fave songs. 04/01/2024

[@blossom___blossom___blossom]

RIP Glynis Johns - you were magnificent and massively underrated.

[@Knappa22]

She’s the *only* one that sings it showing the progress of emotions. At the start she is incensed, exasperated - look at her flashing eyes on the first ‘rich’. Then she goes through regret and heartbreak, and a hint of resolve at the end. It is superb. Compare with the lauded but monochrome Judi Dench version, which is just a sobfest. Glynis gets Desirée - it’s so truthful and spot on.

[@cliftonslocum7423]

This was the first performance I wanted to remember the moment I heard of her passing. 100 years. What a life! Well done! ❤️

[@johncubbidge2237]

Thanks for bringing Desirée to us, as well as Mrs Banks, and the Winslow Boy at Her Majesty's.

[@Johnno9989]

And what a lucky age she has reached - 100. Happy birthday Glynis

[@bostonblackie9503]

The song was written for Glynis Johns. When they booked time to record the cast album they booked extra time for Glynis Johns, because they said she was excitable. Darn if she nailed it the first time. Have a great time in heaven Ms Johns!

[@djan1957]

Grand Dame, may you Rest in Peace and Comfort 😢🙏

[@tateandemmy]

Loved her, such a talent.

[@karitahannikainen4734]

Keep singing and performing with Angels❤,Karita. Consolation to family.

[@kennethhamlett10h]

"A Little Night Music" played at both the Schubert & Majestic theaters & both were located on the same block as my office & it was the year I moved to NYC. I attended the show's opening night, it's closing night & five other performances during the show's run. It is a magical, funny, romantic & beautiful show. I have seen many other productions of the musical, but the original Broadway staging is still the best I have seen & no one has performed the role of Desiree more brilliantly than Ms. Johns. Judi Dench was also wonderful, but Ms. Johns' performance is still the definitive one. Her reading on "Send in the Clowns" was the perfect blend of disappointment, anger & heartbreak & it was just as affecting the 7th time as the 1st. Much has been written about Ms. Johns' limited vocal range, but it was irrelevant. To be completely effective, the song must be acted as well as sung & Ms. John's was a superb actress (ditto Ms. Dench). Whether seeing her as Desiree, in her Oscar nominated role or her charming turn in a sitcom also called "Glynis," Ms. Johns was always top notch, a gifted & dedicated professional. May she rest in peace.

[@scotthix2297]

You can actually be too young to sing this piece. It takes a life’s experience to understand the real nuances in it. Glynis was perfectly cast, Dame Judy absolutely ‘Denched’ it at the Proms. Hepburn was Sondheim’s neighbor when he wrote ALNM…I imagine Kate doing it as a Spoken Soliloquy with a little accompaniment of strings and oboe to carry the melody… It might have been something to see.

[@MrStinker4]

Happy 100th Birthday, Glynis!

[@lawrencecheramie1573]

Written for her!!!

[@williampotter2098]

I'd love to see that whole documentary. The song stuns me every time. Judy Collins sang it beautifully but was just too young to fit the part. It has to be someone running out of time romantically. Glynis was perfect.

[@MrGranfield]

The definitive version of Sondhiem’s song.

[@AndySaenz924]

Well done, sister suffragette! Rest in heaven, Mrs. Banks.

[@mark-shane]

hope BBC show the documentary again

[@simonmetcalfe5926]

Send out the Clowns. 💔😢

[@gisellep177]

RIP

[@user-sp4tx8bk8n]

She sang it in her bed just last week!

[@Musicalfantastic]

Im sure the Song was engraved in her heart. What a gift from Sondheim to her. I hope there are reunited in Paradise.

[@robincutti4596]

So romantic and sweet!❤

[@TheMasterCylinder]

I don't think romantic is the best way to describe the song. It's about unrealized expectations and disappointments.

[@kiimmaritz2827]

Dame Judy Dence the best

[@jonldn]

Dench even

[@unowen-nh9ov]

Well, she's no ET Dame Elizabeth! She is however history's sole singing centenarian Diane Chamber's kept woman mom mermaid, ♥ how she's giving such a heartfelt performance while chanteusing.

[@eamonndeane587]

RIP Glynis Johns. You were anything but Decrepit as Desiree.

[@ytfeh]

[@user-zn8kd5bx5u]

I really don't see how any person can think this version is superior to Judy Collin's version, or even Judy Dench's version. This one is ok, but more like a good local singer performing at a fund raiser.

[@goldstoneeggroll1264]

First, one must realize this song was written for a non-singer. Sondheim specifically tailored this song to Glynis Johns' voice, not making any of the lines too long or too high. Bear in mind that this was also performed several years after the production, out of the context of the show. You're completely allowed to like a different version better, but I thought you should know the entire story behind the song and the singer featured in this video. The reason so many people prefer and love this version is because it is the original, and since the song was written for this singer, it is the quintessential version, directly representative of the composer's intentions of the song.

[@nickadams701]

Glynnis Johns created the role on Broadway. Hers is the ORIGINAL and, therefore, the best version of this great song. Her voice, intonation, and emotion perfectly capture the irony, regret, and acceptance that her character realizes at the end of the play.

[@garretthonnoll9386]

Was she the Mom in Mary Poppins?

[@goldstoneeggroll1264]

Yes, she was.

[@user-ji4rc2ou1l]

She was a good singer but not excellent.

[@martinpatrick8964]

For all the so called perfect versions of this song, Glynis' version IS the most on point if you've seen A LITTLE NIGHT MUSIC - if you haven't, go right to Barbra Streisand and get the Broadway sung, or the mystical etherial Judy Collins... My favourite.

[@Lightharvest-dd2bf]

Or, as enacted recently by Dame Judith Dench.

[@andrewb5555]

RIP

[@juggalojack13]

RIP