Sweeney Todd - London 1980

In better quality than what was previously available.

[@jasonhurd4379]

It is a true privilege to watch as a genius like Sondheim explains how he uses dissonance and resolution (or the lack thereof) to create atmosphere and to unsettle the audience. Words of gold.

[@rixx46]

I found that particularly insightful as well. The way he uses music as a language is astounding. You almost don’t need the lyrics but of course they are equally brilliant. That part about the music not resolving was a real epiphany. As soon as he says it, you realize “oh that’s why it’s so unsettling!” Utter genius.

[@bondfool]

He had a great talent for teaching as well as composing.

[@SolarMumuns]

Wagner was perhaps the original master of the harmonic story telling, but Sondheim was undoubtedly a genius too.

[@dianetheisen8664]

I loved his explanation too. That music 🎶 grabs you from the beginning, well, after the factory 🏭 whistle.

[@jadezee6316]

Sondheim...is a genius..but he didnt create anything new regarding writing music

[@Shag471]

Was cast as an ensemble member in a really good production of this in 1997 using an almost identical set. Getting my throat slashed in the 2nd scene of act 2 every night and dropping through that trapdoor was a great honor for me. 😎

[@glamdolly30]

I hope you had a soft landing! I've always wondered about the mechanics of that trap door and the journey under the stage. They showed how it was done in a 'making of the movie' documentary - the actor simply slid backwards down a gentle slide. How was it for you?!

[@Shag471]

@@glamdolly30 There were two stagehands inside the set that controlled the trap. As we started to fall they would each grab a leg to ease our landing onto a foam pad. Quite simple really.

[@glamdolly30]

@@Shag471 Ah, that makes sense - thanks for satisfying my curiosity! What a great musical to have been a part of - respect to you. I think 'Sweeney Todd' is a very special part of theatre history.

[@alidabaxter5849]

Every obituary of this genius has referred to Sweeny Todd. I remember when it first opened in London and I was dying to see it - I'd seen every production of Sondheims work since West Side Story and a friend had got me tapes of the New York production of Sweeny Todd. Plus I was a great fan of Sheila Hancock and Denis Quilley. Yet the critics, and one in particular, slaughtered it. I wept. I went to see it and despite the audience reaction the show closed far too early. It took ages for those idiots to realise the brilliance of the show and I've ignored critics ever since.

[@tottaylor2093]

Yes - I was there - it was obviously a masterpiece. I have always found more than not that 'music critics' are deaf - and dumb. Classical, jazz, pop whatever. Who do you trust? No one. Rob Cowan on BBC Radio 3 was a shining light. And that's it. Sondheim really suffered from that ignorance throughout his career.

[@AGMundy]

Indeed that has often been the fate of Sondheim's work. My favourite Sondheim is Passion and whilst critics did love it, audiences were generally puzzled or outraged, not understanding that the piece was about the profound nature of love. The London production of Sunday in the Park with George back in 2006 I think far excelled the US production because the social class distinction between George and Dot was much clearer - much as I love Bernadette Peters, I could not quite accept her as an ingenue. I am not great fan of Patinkin either as I find him rather too earnest.

[@clairehassid9895]

@@AGMundy Sondheim was three seats away from me during the NYC preview of Passion. Can you imagine? It was all I could do to focus on the stage. But I did. It was a Sondheim work after all.

[@dianetheisen8664]

Me, too. It's just their opinion, after all.

[@steerpike66]

What a dilf too, let's be honest. Sondheim, a total daddy. Handsome as any star, so virile, athletic, taut.

[@SongbirdAlom]

want a meat pie to go with that thirst? (jk, your comment made me laugh.)

[@jamilabrownie]

@@SongbirdAlom everybody does go down well with beer after all

[@alexmg3648]

I know, right? To me he has more attractive in his 50's and 60's than in his 30s. But even if he wasn't all that, his genius would draw me to him.

[@vrunoariel]

Hooooooootttt

[@kennethwayne6857]

Dr. Sondheim has driven us performers crazy for years trying to learn his lyrics and get them exactly right. It's oddly satisfying to see that sometimes he can mess them up too! He's human after all!

[@tombaird2584]

Yes! And you have to realize that ALL the lyrics for ALL the characters are in his ONE head! He's amazing!

[@kennethwayne6857]

@@tombaird2584 He certainly is! Maybe I shouldn't have said 'satisfying', no schadenfreude involved, but it may help me feel a little better when I screw up myself.

[@michealpersicko9531]

@@tombaird2584 I mean when Helena was trying to learn By the Sea for the movie in the making of she made a remark about how there is barely anywhere to take a breath. Then it got me realizing after watching Lansbury singing it she was sort of inhaling on the vowels particularly the I's since no one would notice anything off with th pronunciation of the word. Sondheim's musicals are some of the most demanding to do; but when you get everything perfectly lined up(cast, director, choreographer,etc) you get one of the most amazing musicals as a result of all thar hard work.

[@Shag471]

I wrote the words to the end of “God That’s Good” in my prop cup on stage because they were random words that didn’t make sense. “Miracle Elixir” was almost as bad but I got it.

[@lapponia77]

@@michealpersicko9531 At the end of The Worst Pies in London, Mrs Lovett describes herself as "a woman alone with limited wind", which is a nice joke :-)

[@martinsorenson1055]

I find the breakdown of Sondheim's process in writing fascinating. For a long time, I always wondered why Pirelli's Miracle Elixir sounded so familiar. I finally remembered, being a Dr. Seuss fan. This is from Fox in Socks by Seuss: Please, sir. I don't like this trick, sir. My tongue isn't quick or slick, sir. I get all those ticks and clocks, sir, mixed up with the chicks and tocks, sir. I can't do it, Mr. Fox, sir.

[@tristanbray2184]

I'm so sorry, Mr. Knox, sir.

[@steerpike66]

RIP the immortal Stephen Sondheim. A genius of wit, feeling, and scansion.

[@SolarMumuns]

Not to mention harmony and texture

[@uckbee]

@@SolarMumuns Which leave me feeling in some ways empowered.

[@paulclemens7953]

Bless you for posting this amazing quality copy of one of the greatest theatre documentaries! I saw quite a good copy of it some years ago -- much better than the earlier KZbin version -- but then my eyes bugged out when I saw YOUR copy! Wow! It is PRISTINE! I'm SO thrilled you made this available for all to see and cherish!

[@MrGenarowlands]

most brilliant musical ever.

[@ThePtlhome]

This Sondheim guy, wow! - "We'll serve anyone..." - the double entendre - love it! The absolute perfect rhymes and well-turned phrases - brilliant! - It's almost as if he's one of the world's best lyricist, or something. And gives the top composers a run for their money, too! - Already so missed!

[@joshuakohlmann9731]

It's a joy to watch him dissect his own work in such depth and so clearly. And when it's my favourite musical that he's analyzing...a KZbin treasure.

[@ThePtlhome]

@@joshuakohlmann9731 Sweeney is not my favorite of his - Into The Woods holds that spot for me, but, MAN, Sweeney's awesome!!!

[@uckbee]

I think the vast majority opinion is that Steve was the world's best lyricist.

[@ThePtlhome]

@@uckbee Exactly right! - My comment about it being "almost as if he's one of the world's best lyricists" was fascicious. So sad he's gone! - But, really, he'll always be with us.

[@danecamacho198]

We'll serve anyone! meaning anyone! and to anyone! at alllll 🤣

[@cattyditty]

lmao at the director throwing shade at the versions of epiphany where todd laughs walking up the stairs. idc what he says george hearn pulls that off beautifully

[@S_Morgan44]

AMAZING! Hearing Sondheim explain his writing style is like listening to a voice from beyond our human capacity to understand-yet he makes it sound so simple! This is an absolute treasure, thank you for uploading.

[@mostlysondheim1930]

I've never been more excited to watch a KZbin video in my life

[@debbieallen3861]

Likewise!!!!

[@michaelrg3836]

Me too!

[@WaterFlame957]

Yass!!!

[@marylouhorvath8333]

@@debbieallen3861 i>oiuii>i>

[@GrantTarredus]

Same here!

[@AGMundy]

The original production with Len Cariou and Angela Lansbury remains in my opinion the best version. This is yet again another work where Sondheim turns the world on its head. The world has lost a genius, a humble man and fine human being. His work will live on though as we say farewell and thank you.

[@chcknpie04]

For me it’s all about George Hearn with an honestly mention to Michael Cerveris

[@tonyspinnelli730]

So we'll said!!! My sister got me for my birthday front row center orchestra for Sweeney Todd with Angela Lansbury and len cariou!!! All I can say is MY GOD!!!! Perfection!!! I couldn't speak after the show I was floored!!! The best experience of theatre I had ever known!!! I still listen to the recording everyday!! Lansbury will live in my heart forever!!! Let's see how Josh Groban does it!!

[@AGMundy]

@@tonyspinnelli730 How fortunate you were. I think Len Cariou singing "These are my friends" is astonishing. I saw Patti Lupone in '06 on Broadway and productions in the UK since.

[@tonyspinnelli730]

@@AGMundy what did you think of the Lupone/Cervasis revival. I was not happy!! I guess I love the grand scale of it!!! I'm looking foward to the Josh Groban version because they are using 26 piece orchestra and the original 1979 libretto!!!!! So very excited!!! Still will miss my Angela lansbury!!!!!!

[@AGMundy]

@@tonyspinnelli730 I liked it more than you did. The image of Lupone marching around the stage playing the tuba in kinky boots and stockings has stayed with me and I'm not too sure whether I was turned on or off.

[@athenaizawesome]

I’ve wanted to watch this for YEARS! Thank you so much for this wonderful upload. Sweeney Todd is my favorite musical of all time.

[@lorrainem.swartzentruber3077]

I never "got" Sondheim's musicals. However, watching him here shows how complex his orchestrations are and how much thought he puts into every part of his musicals!

[@markschildberg1667]

Sondheim musicals ask the audience to approach them as dramas rather than entertainments. They’re not escapist and require your attention, but they’ll reward you for it.

[@tiffanyvantine3322]

“Well, it’s not really complicated, it just sounds that way...” Only from the mouth of such a genius...

[@shotofgold]

LOL! So true.

[@davehudson2064]

I was lucky enough to see this and as a group we went to see Andrew Wadsworth play Anthony who was originally from Burnley. My first time seeing a musical in London. I was spell bound. This along with Evita started my life long love affair with musicals. This literally changed my life. What a privilege to see this fantastic piece of theatre. After all these years, this appears on my utube. What a fantastic programme and a brilliant reminder of what an excellent day I had so many years ago. Thank you ❤❤❤

[@TheContessa52]

Thank you for this! I've never seen this before and I've loved this play since I saw it with George Hearn in 1984

[@frankietalk]

Wow...This is an amazing SWEENEY TODD Master Class !!! It is must see viewing for any serious theater company planning to do a production of this musical masterpiece.Thank you, thank you, thank you.

[@thomasbarker2888]

Thank you! I'm playing the judge in a production and this has arrived at the perfect time :-)

[@kennethwayne6857]

Break both legs! It's a part I'm hoping to play sometime too. Will you get to do the flagellation aria?

[@thomasbarker2888]

@@kennethwayne6857 Thanks dude! Luckily yes. All the way at the bottom of the world in Aotearoa, and our MD was the assistant conductor of the 1993 revival in the UK which is pretty darn neat.

[@rixx46]

Break a keg!

[@TalesOfKrypton]

Bust a spleen!

[@glamdolly30]

So how did it go? I hope you had lots of fun, what a great role the judge is!

[@grahamhowes6904]

This was a brilliant production I saw the pro’s preview and then seven times more. I was later privileged to direct a charity performance fully staged with a cast of 45! Yes biggest train set ever. The most difficult challenge … Stephen also knew how to keep you listening by challenging the director to spot Dies irae musical quote in the score by listening - he knows full well you won’t hear it until the sitzprobe as it is in the piccolo part in Sweeney’s rant! The show is like a Swiss watch and extreme precision is required dialogue must lead smoothly to the singing entry - ‘there is no till ready vamp’ I was told! The most satisfying experience and as we only had a week at the Bloomsbury Theatre we could be lavish with the gore so I think we turned many people vegetarian!

[@albertherz]

brilliant! should be required watching for anyone writing for the theatre

[@davidrumelle3294]

Never thought I'd see this in such wonderful quality.I taped it with a cassette recorder on transmission(just to get to know the show)-and it was the first West End Show I ever saw. It took me years to track down a grainy VHS copy and It is amazing to see this so beautifully restored. I gather the whole show was filmed by LWT at the time in order to create this. I just wonder if that may be in a vault somewhere..... Thankyou so much.xx

[@propsprops2556]

I would love to see the London version again, Maybe just maybe...

[@swizzzle63]

That argument with the actor playing Pirelli was a masterclass on how to diffuse a tense situation. He allowed them both time to cool off and think and a potential disaster is averted

[@blaskostoneisded]

I don't really... BELIEVE this guy playing Todd. He doesn't have the intensity I'm used to. George Hern was awesome and even Len Cariou, as subdued as he was, was more intense. Not the strongest singer, either. Having said that the video is still fantastic

[@williamrelton159]

So much better quality than the other version. Lovely to see it again, and I'm in it!

[@paulclemens7953]

Wow. You're IN it?? Where?? And in which capacity -- cast, crew?

[@glamdolly30]

Do tell us where you are - don't keep us in suspenders!

[@tristanbray2184]

@@paulclemens7953 In the ensemble. He was the bird seller and the understudy for Anthony.

[@christopherbush9027]

I cannot thank you enough for posting this!!!

[@jscollister]

This is a great behind the scenes video of a great show. Really good quality and content. Loved it!

[@bobkosturko1848]

This is pure gold. Happy to stumble on it. I just came back from NYC where I saw the 2023 revival of Sweeney

[@ratitekeeper]

Loved seeing this! Had only seen some some excerpts here in really poor quality. Thanks so much for posting!

[@carlerle787]

Wonderful documentary!!! Thanks for posting this very clear version!

[@jamilabrownie]

Yeah I’m sorry I didn’t like the leads’ voices nor their presence. No wonder the Brits didn’t like it. It’s like they didn’t understand the characters. Even their movements were awkward. Pirelli was ironically great. Maybe he should’ve been Sweeney instead.

[@melanievotaw1303]

I saw this cast! I feel so privileged to have been able to do so.

[@glamdolly30]

Lucky you - and what a great reminder this documentary must be for you!

[@marquiesriley6479]

Its amazing how the composer comes up with all of these different moods and emotional expressions for the characters through the musical pieces....good stuff....

[@thedarksiderebel]

Seeing the actor for Perelli get pissed about his role being cut down made me genuinely feel anxious and tense.

[@vittoriostoraro]

Get over it. 🙄

[@robertjackson5645]

HA! Actors. Two a penny. Ta-rah

[@MindiB]

Narcissistic much, Sr. Pirelli? You. Can. Be. Replaced. . . Rather. Easily.

[@composerdoh]

Imagine how anxious we'd all feel if he tried to cut Sweeney's part!

[@kennethwayne6857]

@@composerdoh See the film.

[@vidwatchersomeone7234]

NPR did a three day series on the podcast Fresh Air with this genius and I’ve been hooked since

[@shotofgold]

Loved the NPR three-pieces also.

[@topherUSA]

Gosh. Thanks. I never hoped to see it so clearly. 🥨🥨🥨

[@ColdenLamb]

Thank you for posting this! It’s in amazing quality!

[@bluetoothpick]

Such a great vid. It's a joy that this has been preserved so well since it aired over 40 years ago. A gem. However, can it be any wonder it didn't "run" in the West End when pretty much the whole plot is spelled out in this documentary, along with many of the most enjoyable numbers aired in full!? Yes, it's a musical not to everyone's taste, but at least let them find that out AFTER they've bought a ticket 🤣

[@Muttonchop_USA]

It was a hit years later when it ran in a pie shop in Lo6. I saw the NYC iteration of that one. It was great. So were the meat pies.

[@bluetoothpick]

@@Muttonchop_USA it was a hit when the Jamie Lloyd Chichester production went into the Adelphi too. All these later incarnations had the benefit of coming in off the back of the movie and enough time elapsing since this documentary that people who didn't catch Johnny Depp in the film had forgotten about all the spoilers 😝

[@simonhuggins3107]

i saw this back in 1980 ..going to watch tonight really looking forward to it

[@lpardo7769]

absolutely lovely. I am choked by the beautiful moving music especially after learning the intent behind every scene. I love contrast between Ms. Lovett's sweet spirit seeking love and the Todd's sorrow.

[@SongbirdAlom]

Ohhhhh this is sooo good! I LOVED watching Sondheim sit at the piano, play, sing and explain his process. I could have watched him run through the entirety of every musical this way, just hanging on every word. And i love how seriously Hal Prince takes the art. I've loved him ever since Phantom and how he discussed it as high art vs. the schlocky tourist trap its often unfairly reduced to. i'm only a little disappointed in Quilley's Sweeney both in terms of voice and acting. I actually paused it during "Epiphany" to go watch George Hearn's version. His the quintessential Epiphany for me.

[@glamdolly30]

Denis Quilley was a great actor, but I found his performance a little predictable and dare I say 'stagey' (though I acknowledge it was a stage musical!) Interesting too that he didn't attempt a Cockney accent for Sweeney Todd. I must check out George Hearn's performance, I haven't seen it (dashes away to do KZbin search!) Have you seen the 2007 movie? I have never been a fan of Johnny Depp but I thought he was utterly mesmerising in the role, and judged it just right. His singing voice was great too. I was surprised to read recently he had never sung professionally before he accepted that role - and then hoped he could pull it off. He certainly did, should have won the Oscar in my view.

[@robertjackson5645]

Lord I wish I had seen this to be there at the font. Seen dozens of productions this show: nothing yet touches National Theatre, in The tiny Cotteslow, with Julia Mackenzie & Quilley back as The Judge. Perfection.

[@lapponia77]

The NT Cottesloe production was fantastic - Julia McKenzie, Alun Armstrong as Todd, Adrian Lester as Anthony and Quilley as Judge Turpin. It was later revived briefly at the Lyttleton (I think) with Quilley reprising his role as Sweeney. Even better in my view - by a whisker - was the Chichester production, which I saw when it transferred to the Adelphi in 2012. Imelda Staunton every bit as brilliant as I expected her to be. The revelation was Michael Ball as Sweeney - the performance of his career, surely!

[@RatSawGod]

This was gold. GOLD. What a find. Thank you so, so much.

[@keanucharlesreeves1246]

You are welcome dear

[@louiswinsberg5363]

I have seen a few different productions. The first was the original with Lansbury and Cariou, then I saw a fine High School production of it with Nikki Blonsky in the role of Mrs. Lovett, (yes, that Nikki Blonsky of Hairspray), the movie, which I enjoyed quite well, and then a version of it on off broadway in the late 20teens that had the audience as the customers. We actually ate before the show in outside of Mrs. Lovett's pie shop, it was a fine cast and the orchestra was made of a pianist, (extremely well played as well as diffictult), a violinist and a clarinetist. That was it. All were performed quite well. I also have seen the video of Lansbury and Hearn, which is fine but nothing comes close to Len Cariou. This documentary of how the show was put together is a great treasure. glad I saw it.

[@Shag471]

My friend John Rapson was in that production but I never got to see that one.

[@jameshknight8804]

A true shame that Cariou was not in the filmed version with Lansbury. Hearn was much better in the concert performances.

[@glamdolly30]

@@jameshknight8804 When you say 'the filmed version' do you mean that the 'Sweeney Todd' Broadway stage musical was filmed? Or was an actual movie made with Angela Lansbury?

[@nonyabusiness2510]

he was a standout in the new Production. Truly a standout. @@Shag471

[@a.t.m873]

RIP Stephen Sondheim. Musical genius. RIP Harold Prince. Director, unmeasurable

[@robertamsel4769]

I saw the Broadway version and the London version when it first opened. (I'd seen all of Sondheim's previous shows on Broadway and confess I was addicted.) Sadly, the London critics still hated Sondheim before they learned to love him. I saw this London version many times... it's still my favorite, and that includes all the productions I've seen since. Sheila Hancock as Mrs. Lovett and Denis Quilley as Sweeney are also my favorites in their roles. I've seen this presentation once before but in a faded video. The posting here is of exceptional quality and deserving of viewing by all Sondheim fans.

[@joshgrumiaux6820]

The scenes with Sondheim as an eager young buck are gold. I found the leads weak, like they didn't fully inhabit their roles. They're going through the motions but nothing pops. In the rehearsals more so, but even in the performances. Fortunately the show is eternal and there will always be new interpretations.

[@irisbjones]

Actors are learning in rehearsal - it isn't supposed to be polished then. I would rather see good actors who can carry a tune than singers who cannot act. As does Sondheim. Get over your judgmental self.

[@joshgrumiaux6820]

@@irisbjones It's like you're responding to someone else's comment. If you read my comment more carefully, you see that I was referring to the concert, not just the rehearsals. And I didn't say anything about the singing; you're offering an irrelevant comparison. And just because my opinion doesn't match yours doesn't automatically mean it's too "judgemental" to post...um, have you been on KZbin before?

[@paulclemens7953]

Josh -- in your reply to Laurie Jean you said you were referring to "the concert" as well. Not sure what you meant as this was the original full London production of 'Sweeney' and not one of the concert versions which appeared later. Also, while Sheila Hancock was fine she didn't have the unique magic of Lansbury. But I quite liked Denis Quilley. True he didn't have the level of terrifying demonic intensity that George Hearn had or the hauntingly tragic quality of Len Cariou, but he nevertheless brought touches of his own, I thought, that were like a blending of both creepy and tragic.

[@SeriousSara1]

I gotta say I prefer George H. and others that played Todd…Denis is talented, but I was rather let down by his performance..performances and same with Lovetts role…others I’ve seen/heard just gave more of a feeling

[@LaRush62]

I thought the exact same thing...all the right staging and notes but no intensity or intention. He doesn't scare me at all! I saw Hearn and Lansbury in it 3 times in one week in LA when the Broadway tour came there. Those were magical performances. Angela was perfection and George Hearn was frightening and furious and sang it gloriously. He's a lovely man in person, as well. I was fortunate to have dinner with him years ago when he was in Sunset Blvd. Sweeney is my favorite show...perfectly structured, glorious music, not a word or note that isn't necessary, and non-stop tension and emotion. And I've had the good fortune to play 3 different roles in it in productions through the years. Even with these not so great performances, this was a fascinating documentary. Sondheim's like will never been seen again...at least in our lifetime.

[@TheMaestroCraig]

"God, that[documentary]'s good!"

[@pauljackson1029]

This production was the first Sondheim i ever saw, I'll never forget Sheila Hancock's Mrs Lovett.

[@rixx46]

What great surprise. I have yet to see it staged (too bad the movie was shit) but I have listened to several productions, though not this one. This is the perfect balance of backstage and stalls perspective of the creative process. Always great to see The Master share his complex process. Sondheim is a god in my book. Thanks so much for this.

[@paulclemens7953]

Knowing you didn't like the film, you really need to see the professional taping made of the entire original stage production captured in Los Angeles while it was on tour with Angela Lansbury and George Hearn. Well worth purchasing, to say the least.

[@glamdolly30]

Surprised you're so aggressively anti the movie - Sondheim himself loved Tim Burton's 2007 'Sweeney Todd', which was rare praise, as he generally loathed any attempt to translate his musicals from stage to big screen. Sondheim also had special praise for Johnny Depp's interpretation of Todd. I'm not a Depp fan as a rule, but I agree with Sondheim's analysis - it was remarkable what charisma and sensitivity he brought to a character who spends the entire musical in a black mood! Sonheim said Todd really is a one-note role, that tests the star quality of every actor who takes it on.

[@ZidaneWarner]

The shadows on the walls during the ballad kinda reminds me of my childhood nightmares

[@modeswitching]

Will we ever again see such a level of craft in musical theater?

[@amphetaminebunny]

we'll have to wait and see. sondheim was our shakespeare.

[@CCela1608]

The current adaptation on Broadway with Josh Groban is spectacular!

[@loriromig6565]

​@@CCela1608absolutely! I've been to NYC twice to see it and really want to go again. Josh Groban is amazing and Annaleigh Ashford is hilarious. Some people didn't think Josh could pull it off, but he has proven them wrong. I was already a big fan and now even more so.

[@mpurves99]

I worked with Denis Quilley years after this on My Fair Lady. I also saw him in La Cage Au Folles - He was a lovely man and a quite brilliant performer. The video of the whole of this is still waiting to be discovered but the audio of the last night is here - kzbin.info/www/bejne/ZqqyY4aAa7qEgLM

[@ethanchild582]

Wow...thank you for uploading this. Can't believe how good the quality is. Amazing to see the great Hal Prince at work.

[@Erica_DeJongh]

I don't care how small my part was....I would never quit a Stephen Sonheim/Hal Prince show.

[@rixx46]

Ego overriding respect. It’s a Sondheim/Prince show - you do as you’re told - particularly in a small role!

[@nickbigd]

Pirelli (John Aron) did not ultimately quit, and went on to appear in other shows including the original production of Phantom. So speaking his mind doesn’t appear to have done any fatal damage to his career.

[@WallisLuke]

People always forget that while many things are and should be a democracy, theatre is simply one thing that isn't

[@brebsy]

Sondheim, yes, but look, it's Timothy Claypole as Toby! :D

[@lauratwinkle6420]

I love this show. The whistle being blown always gives me a fright every time. The fact that Angela lansbury is in this show xxxx

[@glamdolly30]

Angela Lansbury was in the Broadway production of 'Sweeney Todd', British actress Sheila Hancock played Mrs Lovett in this, the London debut.

[@leslieackerman4189]

Great document! But Angela Lansbury still reigns supreme

[@steerpike66]

THEY FIXED THE LINE I was never happy with 'the trouble with poet is how do you know it's deceased?' because it's not clear what 'the trouble with poets' is. The change to 'scrawny' make its clearer; poets don't eat. A vast improvement.

[@bondfool]

Is that a known stereotype about poets? I always thought it was clear enough that the trouble with poets is their morose, depressive attitudes, so much that you can’t tell if they’re even alive.

[@joshuakohlmann9731]

I liked the addition of "Executioner " to that song as well. It sets the seal on the whole song for me. If it was used on Broadway, it certainly isn't on the recording.

[@vintagebrew1057]

Sondheim was asked how he got the "Englishness" of Sweeny Todd so well. He replied " I'm a complete Anglophile" As an English person and a bit of a purist. I reckon Steve got it so right.

[@emanuellancecruz3028]

Not me simping for Sondheim

[@martinkelly8588]

This is the closest I've seen a production get the look of Sweeny Todd to his Penny Dreadful counterpart. (Hair like a thick set hedge, wide mouth etc.)

[@chamone28]

Absolute legend, thank you so much!

[@johnkarlquist7787]

I want to say thank you for posting this. Thank you 100 times. I have just started listening to Sweeney Todd recently, (though I’ve always loved Joanna, Pretty Women, and possibly my favorite song Not While I’m Around). I was also thinking of looking for a “making of a musical” documentary, so this has been satisfying, twice over. Lastly, I’ve been seeing on social media quite a bit, the current Mrs Lovett, Annaleigh Ashford singing The Worst Pies in London, (obsessed with her, she’s fabulous, but that’s another story), and now I have an understanding of her hand gestures, explained by the composer himself.

[@GianOver]

DESCANSE EN PAZ, MAESTRO!

[@jm3062]

after watching these...I can truly say that the George Hearn/Angela Lansbury combo really embodied everything the directors were expressing...in my opinion 🙂

[@racestracksgoil]

When he forgets the lyrics to “Johanna” for a sec.

[@wickedwizard5377]

Amazing quality, thanks!

[@glamdolly30]

Director Tim Burton first saw this early London production of 'Sweeney Todd' as a 22 year old student - he loved it so much, he came 3 nights in a row! Yet more evidence the poor reviews that closed it early were undeserved. This fascinating 'making of' South Bank Show special show confirm it was one of Stephen Sondheim's best stage musicals, and Denis Quilley and Sheila Hancock were superb in the leading roles. Even back in 1980 when Tim Burton wasn't sure what he'd do for a career, he remembers thinking how cinematic this London production of 'Sweeney Todd' was, and that it would make a great movie. Fast forward 27 years, and his 2007 film starring Johnny Depp was fantastic. He successfully turned a 3 hour stage musical into a superbly slick and entertaining 2 hour movie that unlike so many big screen musicals, wasn't disjointed by the singing scenes. Depp should have won the Oscar, he was a mesmeric Sweeney Todd and despite never having sung professionally had a fine singing voice (his Cockney accent was spot on too - something, oddly enough, British actor Denis Quilley didn't attempt!) Burton decided to make the movie far bloodier than the stage versions had been. His logic was that Todd was such a quietly menacing presence that when he actually committed the murders they should be explosive, representing a huge emotional release for Todd with tons of blood and visual shock! Helena Bonham Carter was excellent as the wily Mrs Lovett, and Sacha Baron Cohen gave a memorable cameo as the flamboyant rival barber and con man Senor Pirelli, who brings about his own end by attempting to blackmail Todd. Stephen Sondheim loved Tim Burton's movie - which is huge praise, because as a rule he didn't like film adaptations of his musicals feeling they just didn't translate from stage to screen. Sondheim agreed with Burton's view that the material had to be dramatically cut down and remodelled (with songs shortened or omitted entirely), for a great film to be accomplished. Burton said it helped him enormously to have Sondheim's blessing to edit his work. Sondheim had special praise for Depp's performance and the intensity he brought to the role. The composer said it was remarkable Depp gave Todd such charisma, as the character could be regarded as 'one note' due to his constant sad, brooding energy. There's no doubt Johnny Depp's innate natural sex appeal gave his Sweeney Todd a sensitivity and magic that hadn't been seen in previous interpretations.

[@suzanne6441]

And Depp had his natural humor that worked underneath the character to enliven it - repressing it infused it with dimension. That was my most exciting movie in a theater experience opening night in nyc, the audience was brilliant too.

[@kennethwayne6857]

Thanks for this! I'm a big fan of Denis Quilley. He returned to the show years later to play Judge Turpin, hoping to find a tape.

[@stagebystage3897]

The revival played at the National Theatre and was broadcast on Radio 2 in full. I am sure I've heard a recording

[@kennethwayne6857]

@@stagebystage3897 Thanks!

[@edward311]

I flipped over Denis Quilley after seeing him in the original stage version of Privates On Parade. His Sweeney Todd was equally fantastic. I later met him briefly in a recording studio and he was such a gentleman. Great actor.

[@sugaranddirt]

So no one's mentioning 29:00 ??

[@chocolatesouljah]

Mr.Quilley's Michael Jackson-esque jazz turn was a cute surprise. 49:41 - if one blinks they'll miss it, and oh! and done in time to sing on the beat.

[@cedgson91]

Wow This is fascinating Never knew Sheila Hancock played this Patti lupone is one of my favourites particularly A little Priest Sondheim is a genius - rip legend ❤

[@ms.martiegallego8834]

The staging is so good!! Genius !! One of Sondheim's Best, if not the BEST !!

[@LazyHubbStudios]

Watching this gives some clear angles of the chair. But I still can’t figure out the mechanism of that barber chair. I’ve tried for YEARS to figure out the mechanism. And I cannot figure out the mechanism of that chair. Or how it works. No amateur production has replicated that chair to my knowledge. And it has t resurfaced outside of a few RARE revivals. And a few rare performances. No high quality photos exist of the chair itself. Trying to replicate it, but I have no idea how it works.

[@mattdeans9873]

It was/is, along with Les Miz, my favorite show. Watching this and learning the genius behind it puts it right back on top. It is Sondheim's masterwork. It's ironic KZbin put on the side the ad for the movie you can rent or buy. I hated the movie. When will these egomaniacal Hollywooders learn to say no when they are incapable of translating a work of genius to the screen. Watching this documentary proved that to me. Burton, Depp, Bonham Carter and all the rest of them turned Sweeney Todd - this brilliant work - from a steak to dog food.

[@rixx46]

Could not agree more about the movie - Tim Burton couldn’t keep his sticky fingers off it - every film he makes looks exactly the same. Fine with an original work, but don’t fuck with a masterpiece. Many good productions particularly musicals don’t translate well from the stage to film. On stage there is an inherent communion with the audience. We embrace the stage craft and theatricality of the experience. When it goes to film it becomes literal and breaks that create a bond and suspension of disbelief that’s crucial for a theatrical effort. Same reason Les Miz should never have been a movie - or CATS by director Hooper as well.

[@melfortune5855]

I hated the movie too. It was such a waste. Everything was crap. They ruined the score, those costumes, those make-up, the casting. Ew. It's good point is perhaps was how they shot it. I found it clever but even that couldn't save it.

[@aidendoe5775]

Sondheim worked on the movie. I liked it cuz if the subtlety. I like the stage version as well, but there’s a lot that went into the movie

[@marquiesriley6479]

The movie, IMO, was actually quite good....true, Burton put his own nuance to the script and characters, but he didnt erode the overall story and aspect which he stuck to....

[@bogusdetonator1824]

Wow! Thanks for posting this in such better quality!

[@tophers3756]

Most of the aspects I didn't like about the original productions of Sweeney Todd were due to Hal Prince's ideas. Especially that obnoxious factory whistle. I will say that I like Todd's appearance here. More actual period barber and less sinister ghostly apparition that few would go to for a shave.

[@davidackerman9945]

Bravo thanks

[@grey-spark]

55:00 I like how the director misunderstands the "and to anyone" line. It's not about making people cannibals that's shocking about it. It's an unexpected repitition that makes you question what "meaning anyone" meant before.

[@dianetheisen8664]

Thank you so much for posting this. I am a BIG fan of Sweeney Todd, ( saw the original product with the great Angela Lansbury and Len Cariou ). My 1️⃣st Broadway musical 🎶; I was floored. I would love to see the revival.

[@djd_1two3]

The 2023 revival was my first ever Broadway show....it was amazing

[@dianetheisen8664]

@@djd_1two3 IKR⁉️

[@kmetzz1]

Wow! I can’t believe that man said he would leave!

[@keanucharlesreeves1246]

Why don't you believe it

[@kmetzz1]

@@keanucharlesreeves1246 Because it was Sweeney Todd and everything!!!! 🤷‍♀️

[@keanucharlesreeves1246]

@@kmetzz1 I like your believe and boldness 👋👋👋

[@tomswiftyphilo2504]

thank you for this. such a privilege to look into the minds that made this musical.

[@_purble]

Parts of this production of the show was clearly shot for this, but does anyone know if the recording was ever put together as a full show? And if it was ever publicly available?

[@overlydramaticpanda]

I'm almost 100% certain it's not publicly available but it wouldn't surprise me if the show had been recorded for archival purposes. In that case though, it would probably just be your standard "back of the stalls" camera setup rather than being recorded as a proshot in the same way that, say, the Hearn/Lansbury version was. The snippets of the show seen here were likely filmed specifically by the South Bank Show team for the purpose of this documentary.

[@crees1445]

I didn't like the film but the stage production is brilliant.

[@GOVECO2]

I could watch this all day every day...what an incredible talent!!!

[@wilhughes4319]

This is such a great quality upload! And that’s my Mum at 1:57 !!

[@bondfool]

If one’s first exposure to Sweeney Todd was this documentary, I have to imagine they would wonder who the hell that sailor who showed up ten minutes before the end was.

[@Gleem1313]

I loved watching and listening to both Sondheim and Prince about the process of working through this incredibly amazing and difficult show. Maybe it is because I fell in love with both Landsbury and Hearn's rendition, but I could see that Judge Turpin would be a more appropriate casting for the lead actor. Was the music transposed to a higher key for him? It sounds very close to Antony's voice-not as menacing as I have grown used to with Hearn. Also, it felt like the actress playing Lovett really struggled with singing, so I wonder if she was nervous during the show. It is a very difficult part as well. Overall, I was impressed with Toby and the chorus as well. I would love to be in this show, but obviously, it isn't often done, even in professional companies. Alas.

[@greeneyedwitch1103]

I miss the madness in his acting. It looks more like staged poses, not as if he is feeling it

[@keanucharlesreeves1246]

His a good actor don't you think so

[@Shag471]

If you watch the rehearsal footage of Worst Pies in England again, the woman playing Mrs. Lovett couldn’t find the notes then either. Perhaps Hal Prince sought to change things up a bit from the Broadway production and U.S. tour production (the one most people refer to) by roughing her character up a bit. Just a guess. They could’ve easily recast the role with someone better but for some reason they thought she was perfect.

[@shotofgold]

The role is very difficult and needs an actor first, singer second. If you’ll notice, by showtime, her singing has vastly improved. Rehearsal is rehearsal, a time to focus on different specifics. Some elements suffer while you explore others. Then you put them all together when you open and beyond.

[@Gleem1313]

I do agree with you on most points, but Sweeny Todd is an American opera and technically stellar singers are required for even the smallest part. Yes, it is a rehearsal, but the technique seems to be more than lacking. Sure, a great actor is needed as well, but one must work the instrument to master the character first. In opera, the voice is just about everything.

[@TheMissingLink1]

Oh what I would have given to work with the master Hal Prince. He seemed like an absolute joy to work with. I've heard so many fantastic stories from colleagues and friends of his dedication to the craft but also his sincere and genuine generosity to the cast.

[@shotofgold]

They’re all true. He was brilliant and intensely focused and generous and an artist. And the same is true of Steve. Working with them both was the high point of your life, not just your career.

[@glamdolly30]

I find it fascinating watching Prince at work. It shows how critical it is that a director can handle people - and specifically the fragile egos of performers - while prioritising the WORK and the final product throughout. He was clearly a remarkable, multi talented man. So sad watching this and realising nearly everyone featured is now dead - but of course it was 42 years ago!

[@ronsdivas]

THANK YOU!!! Great documentary!!

[@lukegreen5341]

I've Never Seen Sweeney Todd The Musical Before. Thanks Mate. X

[@kc-lp6wg]

I want to know the story behind the two piece pink velour track suit during the Pirelli's Miracle Elixir scene.

[@Shag471]

I first thought that was a woman! But that kid was the first to get sliced in Act 2. 🤣

[@JamesBrown-ij1px]

Thank you for posting!

[@dantean]

Lovely peek behind the scenes. Thank you.

[@alyssawarrick22]

Sondheim is such a genius.

[@keanucharlesreeves1246]

His a good actor and put his best in making sure he give his fans and lovers of his movie the best

[@liamshaughnessy6246]

RIP Steven Sondheim!

[@colegreen1291]

I remember the opening night reviews. "The worst rhymes in London" "A thin tissue of bullshit" That the 1980 London production was not a success is an understatement.