pensnest | (Reply)

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The really infuriating thing is that the guy doing this had obviously managed to get hold of stage productions. I know the original Broadway production is available on DVD because I have it, and although it is hard to get past Sweeney's terrifying hair, George Hearn does a fine job and Angela Lansbury is an excellent Mrs Lovett. But, I saw a recent production in the West End which was *brilliant*, and had Michael Ball as Sweeney, and he was really menacing. Frankly, Johnny Depp by comparison just looks sulky. And Imelda Staunton was *fantastic* as Mrs Lovette, whereas Helena Bonham Carter.... might have worked as the Beggar Woman, maybe, but Mrs Lovett? Fuck, no. AND THERE WAS AN EXCERT FROM THAT PRODUCTION ON THE VIDEO! I want it, I want it now. When I went to see it there were some teenage girls in the audience near me, and they were so totally involved, they were *terrified* when it looked as though Joanna was going to get killed. Brilliant.

OMG. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ryF2rt0hQiM Watch it now! It was set in 1930s depression era, which worked perfectly well.

My favourite version was the one I saw in my head, because I was first introduced to Sweeney Todd by a concert version on Radio 4, with Denis Quilley and the sublime Julia McKenzie. Bloody marvellous. And, ahaha, the internet doth provide, you can listen to it here. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZCsxcDE3QWY&feature=youtu.be I love Julia McKenzie's sheer relish in Priest.