A Policeman's Lot Is Not A Happy One

[@marypagones6073]

Every Pirate King puts his own spin on the role, but Tony Azito was so definitive in his part, every other actor as the police superintendent has merely imitated him.

[@davidjacques2322]

We do not have police captains. That rank is Superintendent of Police in Britain and all British-influenced countries

[@andrewwrobel2255]

Sergeant, not superintendent.

[@alg11297]

And the choreographed whole thing

[@BroadwayDreamchild]

When Tony did the little soul-singer-high note, I was giggling so hard when I came downstairs that my mom looked at me like a psychopath! XD He's just so awesome!!!!

[@Karthos1000]

Can confirm: A policeman's lot is not a happy one. Can disavow: We do not sing as much as this squad. (Only one or two show-stopping numbers per week.)

[@adventureswithaurora]

🤣

[@BillCassinelli]

My father was bodyguard to some of the stars of this show, and I remember attending one night. Backstage, Rex Smith gave me a Coke and let me watch his TV in his dressing room. Estelle Parsons baked me chocolate chip cookies. After the show, Azito asked if I knew who he played, and I, of course, told him the Captain of Police. George Rose told stories, and Linda Ronstadt was beautiful. We drove Kevin Kline home that night, with some other pirates. Any chance you have Bowie as Elephant Man 80-81?

[@adventureswithaurora]

Wow, that's amazing!

[@hsgame4088]

Omg this is such a cool story.

[@adventureswithaurora]

@@hsgame4088 Right? 🤩

[@ElizabethMcCormick-s2n]

Sounds like fun!

[@stephenabbott8039]

Tony Azito took a small part and made the sergeant as memorable a character as the Pirate King. Of course, and I may be alone in this, but I think the cops are such great characters. For one they are more real in the stand point that they are cowards,but in the end they do oversome that fear and show up to save the day.

[@bradsexton2315]

The most memorable part in my opinion, along with the General.

[@StevenTorrey]

They (the cops) are also important as marriage material for the Major General's many daughters, in addition to the Pirates as marriage material.

[@Nerris121]

it takes a lot to master the role of the seargant, and this guy is truly a master of this role. the best stage actor of a comical character i've ever seen in my life

[@wickedfeylady]

NO ONE can do this part the way Tony does. He's perfect.

[@LouisetheLithead]

Marvelous bit at the beginning. G & S parodied the medieval monastic "call and Response" of a church service. For Mabel. it indicates her almost religious devotion to Frederic (pure and divine), while for the Police, it indicates their devotion to a lifelong vocation - one that could be analogized to religious Brotherhood. It's probably why the Sergeant was written as a bass voice. Papp and Azito modernized the cultural references to vaudeville routines. It's a wonderful re-imagining.

[@annaobrien6839]

It is DARN NICE to hear Tony Azito doing BOTH versions.

[@newnairobi1]

Never heard of Tony Azito until I watched this clip. Can't get enough of it now, he was just wonderful. Thanks for the post.

[@BillCassinelli]

Tony was fantastic in Private Resort (1985), and creepy in Necronomicon (1993)!

[@lucyfernandez8304]

@@BillCassinelli The muppet

[@BillCassinelli]

@@lucyfernandez8304 ?

[@crzxr]

it's very reassuring to know that no one can do the sergeant as Tony Azito does.

[@derricgreene]

Best rendition of this song I've ever heard.

[@elephantbarbiegirl]

Agree with you here. No disrespect to this production which looks fabulous it's just that it's such a treat to hear a good bass doing "a Policeman's lot"

[@stevelongmuir]

In my opinion, the funniest musical number ever... the film version, while equally brilliant, does not capture the playfulness and quirkiness of the excellently stylized choreography and Azito's amazing performance. Azito is a subtle master of comic movements and expressions that, like dance moves themselves, combine to create a zany and endearing presence... perfect for this slapstick genre. He ranks as one of the all-time great live performers.

[@harsimaja9517]

Unless I've only seen a particular edit, the film version only has the first verse, too?

[@blooncrazy]

I am quite surprised at the rancor of the G&S purists. This was an inspired production that led to a surge in popularity of G&S productions. And not only Pirates but many of the other wonderful operettas.

[@baritone777]

@lithead I totally agree. In fact, I'd say one of the reasons the G & S canon has survived when so few American operettas haven't (anyone remember Victor Herbert...anyone...?) is that these pieces are, by their very nature, "open" works. That is, they are capable of being reinterpreted in seemingly countless ways and by all levels of talent and ability. Witness their popularity in community theater. Azito makes me weep for sheer joy. May he rest in peace.

[@ruthsayers1163]

G&S aren't American, are they??? These operettas aren't either, they're VERY ENGLISH. THROUGH AND THROUGH.

[@Lissical]

I know! His voice was perfect for the role, as was his dancing. I agree, it's too bad he's gone. :(

[@StevenTorrey]

The dancing performance here is simply remarkable!

[@johng.angeletta918]

Wonderful G&S performance.

[@harryfranklin1263]

I'm obsessed with the out of nowhere (and beautifully synced to the music) 720 jump from the policeman in front at 3:38!

[@gross902]

I remember sitting in the park all day in order to get tickets to see this. I had a great day, reading and flying my Nantucket Kiteman kite. The show was wonderful and I had a nice day in the park.

[@Jourell1]

I agree. personally i prefer the traditional baritone but Tony`s performance was so incredible you cant help not think of him as the Sargent.

[@U2QuoZepplin]

I was first introduced to Gilbert and Sullivan because of the amature group that was putting on performances in Otley near Leeds , where my Aunt and one of my cousins were members of the chorus. First of all they did HMS Pinafore, but later they did Mikado and Patience and a few others.

[@LeeBurger-cy6fs]

We makin it outta da hood w this one 🗣️‼️🗣️🗣️🔥🔥‼️🥶

[@carrotjuse]

@Lissical I concur! His characterization is iconic! He owned this role. It's hard to believe he's gone.

[@wsc1018]

It is interesting how the person who posted this video could not spare a single mention of Tony Azito's name in the caption.

[@Femmchantress]

Though it's not how Gilbert and Sullivan intended, I absolutely adore Tony Azito as the Seargent. Don't get me wrong, I love a good bass doing the role as much as the next guy (when I did Pirates, we had a honest to goodness full on bass do it), but Tony really reimagined the part of the Seargent as a whole. And that's what keeps the part and the play alive. People reinventing and adding their own philosophy to a role and to the show itself.

[@LouisetheLithead]

@timpaws Joe Papp *specifically* wanted to make G & S accessible to American audiences with this version. He updated it to emphasize the burlesque, and pulled in a lot of vaudeville routines. At the same time, he left the libretto completely intact. His artistic decisions - and they worked in creating a whole new G & S revival in the States. Since even Shakespeare is re-staged, why not G & S - if that means that even more people are able to enjoy them? One can love both. Don't be so priggish.

[@tomshea8382]

The re-orchestrations are highly questionable. The physicality and bits are fine, and they truly are classics that can be re-interpreted in countless ways, but I don't like the heavy percussiveness and omnipresent trumpet of the NYSF orchestrations.

[@ianhorsburgh9867]

wish I could have seen this production, so much fun and Kevin Kleine, one sexy dude

[@FRAGIORGIO1]

This is a very talented cast. Outstanding performance. Bravi, bravissimi!

[@LalalalalaLauren75]

I love this! Soooooo awesome! I'm gonna walk around work singing his Woooooo ooooooooooh!!!!! XD So awesome!!!

[@Jeff-gj7ko]

Definitely the best dancers of the operetta.

[@carrotjuse]

@Lissical I must concur! Nobody brought more to the role than Tony!

[@KHearse87]

God, Tony Azito is like rubber! Why wasn't he more famous?

[@SingularSuperNinja]

Thanks mate. He looks very different here, which made me wonder. It's not just the lack of the moustache. His face seems much gaunter in this version. Amazing performer! Saddened to be informed just now that he passed away...

[@BillCassinelli]

Thanks, I agree. I was lucky enough to meet and hang out with a lot of famous people, due to my father's job. Bowie was a favorite, as well. And yes, Rose had a very nice, grandfather-like presence. I was very sad to hear about his murder.

[@CriticalenquiryOrg]

He also passed away several years ago, unfortunately. An amazing dancer.

[@punchinker]

@Lissical Agreed. The pratfall he does at the end - at least in the movie version - is unrivalled in slapstick history.

[@taureleafsilver]

I love that it seems that the Sergeant has a little crush on Maybel

[@sprints42]

I agree. He's totally awesome!

[@jonnysouthjersey]

Great version! Very funny.

[@anneliesesteden390]

O, this is lovely. Thank you,❤️👍

[@flamingcartman312]

God bless Tony Azito

[@Naiseymae]

ahhh!!!! tap-dancin policemen. my favorite!!!

[@AmazingLimes]

And look at Linda Ronstadt WOW :D

[@ProdigyStepper]

i just love his hooooowooooooooooooooowooooooo!

[@wavesofwoodenlegs]

I love Tony Azito's face at 4:31.

[@BorisGodunov]

Look, the Joseph Papp production was not in any way intended to be a faithful reproduction of a G&S production, it was entirely designed as a rock opera re-imagining of the operetta. Did you not notice how the orchestrations are all revamped, and extra songs are added in? Tony Azito was one of Broadway's great dancers of the day, and that was why he was cast. And he was wonderful for Papp's production, probably earning the highest all-round praise of any.

[@deadandburied7626]

Love Linda Ronstadt ❤

[@Lilasarai]

My roommate actually compained that this was nothing like the Pirate Movie. I love this show anyway.

[@KomKai352]

Thank you for posting this! It's wonderful!

[@paulmoore7064]

Little Traverse Civic Theater in Petoskey Michigan put on this play in '95. I was the first Bobbie on the left.

[@herbg4866]

Culty Smother!

[@niciovega2472]

Remember the Keystone Cops in the old silent movies? Guess where they came from!

[@AmazingLimes]

I would love to see them to do a remake in theaters.

[@Kosh_Naranek.]

the sad thing is, I can Imagine the guys in my police department dancing like this quite clearly.

[@SmartieRockz]

I got to play The Policeman's Song for my Grade 3 exam!! xD

[@nicolacarroll2767]

Brilliant

[@19michael55]

TONY AZITO rocks!!!

[@h193013]

This guy sounds like Peter Lorre

[@SingularSuperNinja]

Can anybody tell me: Is this sergeant the same as in the film version (minus the moustache) ? Because they have remarkably similar voices if not, and they are both utterly marvellous in the role!

[@tillybear2539]

excellent

[@timbum1000]

Yes, I was actually in one of my previous lives. It wasnt the savoy either it was The Hypadrome.

[@BorisGodunov]

This was filmed before the movie was made, so I doubt the gauntness has anything to do with his later illness. He died in 1995, I believe.

[@GerryAlwell]

These clips are from a stage show. The movie was made a number of years later with many of the stage show actors. The movie was shot in England and some of the actors were not available at the time of shooting

[@cialovesyou]

Maybe, but he lived a great artist

[@AmazingLimes]

they were smart to keep the original cast for the movie version.

[@martinpatrick1746]

Yup all the stars of the central park production reprised their roles for the film version.

[@ribbonsofnight]

original cast. That's a good one. Maybe they should have done that for Macbeth too.

[@greentrombone]

Are they laying down a funk groove @ 4:08? haha!

[@michaelturyn4558]

Ah! here's that second verse. (It was missing, and missed, in the film.)

[@KHearse87]

Good point. I forget sometimes how taboo that was years ago.

[@songsmirth5316]

I was trying to find the Generals song a few months ago and automatically chose the first one. I had no idea they'd done a musical. Was the musical done first or the movie? And the man who plays the head policeman is a kick. I'd love to have his ability to do what he made look easy! Brilliant. Thank you so much for putting this up whoeveryouare. :) Delightful. Songs

[@JeromyVA]

It was a musical first

[@derricgreene]

The musical was written in the 1800s.

[@peacockblue8407]

i agree with you guys! in my opinion, the kevin kline ~ tony azito 'pirates' is the ONLY "pirates of penzance"!! (`8^D

[@SwissArmyCheese]

That's how it is originally written. Some people choose to keep out the last verse for time.

[@inwemeneldur2025]

I was a policeman when I was in year 6 (11).... I'm 16 now and i still know the lyrics...

[@LightVSDarkness64]

00:28 = hillarious...the guy bumps into him

[@AmazingLimes]

Agreed Lisa

[@Resholden]

My trouble is, although a male with a bass baritone voice, I'm also only 5' 7" and only about 112lb!

[@itsaguinness]

i missed the mustache...

[@Lissical]

Tony Azito, in my opinion was the best actor to ever play the Police Sergeant.

[@Nanoosie]

im here coz of flashpoint on the first episode 😭😂

[@raven22at]

Eddie and Wordie

[@BillCassinelli]

@TheRWOCompany Thanks, but I thought it was normal at the time. Dad also boduguarded David Bowie, and I was backstage at The Elephant Man every night!

[@janspek33]

@leakiestwink wasn't he in both?

[@GogktiKitenge]

Dude, are you from California?

[@cialovesyou]

Who was that actor? The sergeant?

[@cialovesyou]

Great isnt it?

[@GDOBSSOR]

Um... we had a woman policeman in our production. It was because we didn't have enough men, and we wanted a short policeman to contrast with the tall and lanky ones, and she had some comedy stuff like running around and falling over and having the others pick her up because she wasn't allowed to wear her glasses. If your voice is low and you're a female, you would normally be cast as an alto, as the alto part in Pirates is quite low.

[@fishfingersndcustard]

I shall be forever jealous of you.

[@LightVSDarkness64]

I wish the woman didn't sing so, whiny, still, i love seeing this

[@candr]

@Caleedcutie Not so adnormal my dear,remeber all the girl parts of Willy Shakespeare plays were men, Peter Pan (a lost boy) has always been performed by a girl for over 100 years. Kabuki, Japanese art form has always been men. Its depends on who they got and what they can do, no reflection on your gender only on your ability. Matter of fact it would be a statement to your acting when you pull it off. Go and have fun, and if anyone says something, mention Mary Martin & Sandy Duncan.

[@LightVSDarkness64]

is Tony Azito naturally bald?

[@joshuaplotkin8826]

The marines in One Piece need to sing this song

[@LightVSDarkness64]

"thanks for the 2 thumbs up"

[@stanthology]

FREDDY MERCURYISH

[@seancoxen3329]

Loathsome. Simply loathsome.

[@ChromVsChrom]

The rest of policemen in our show are all girls except the main lead...

[@Jestak]

Azito was very good, but the best I ever saw and/or heard in the role was Owen Brannigan.

[@ProdigyStepper]

@crzxr i wish we could clone him

[@pannicatack]

@Lissical I don't think his voice was right at all. But what he brought to the role makes up for having the wrong voice.

[@rocket101011]

Why canyt people post without swearing !!

[@gandsnut]

Those of us G&S aficionados who are staunch 'traditionalists' cringe at Papp's musical and instrumentational modifications to Sullivan... but, at least it introduced many people to G&S. Up Canada-way at the Stratford Festival (in the 80's), music director Berthold Carrière applied the Papp treatment for at least the '83 Mikado, and I think also Iolanthe.