This production was incredible. The first time this show has ever actually creeped me out -- particularly the final scene. And the arrangements were brilliant. Not once did I ever feel like anything was missing.
I thought the concept for this was interesting. all of the actors stayed on stage at all times playing instruments. I loved pattis entrance to this song
I don't like how this blurs the storyline of the number. I'm not a purist but it's so unclear what Sweeney is up to. Why does it necessitate the knocking? The payoff just isn't there.
Late reply, but the concept of this production is that the cast are insane asylum patients using anything they can to retell the story that's why they are playing instruments and using very simplistic props. It's basically implied that Toby is the only person who is the real character, the rest are acting out the story. So that's why they don't use an actual chair
Even later reply. White often symbolizes innocence but also potentially death, in a ghostly manner. The white coffin is used to represent the death of innocence, in more ways than one: Sweeney's killings, his abandoned innocence, and, later, the haunting murder of his own wife. The Beggar Woman also holds the coffin like a baby, which can symbolize Sweeney's lost chance at any regular, loving family, with his wife and daughter or even Lovett and Toby.
I actually think that this is a really well made revival for something as iconic as Sweeney Todd, it introduced a completely new and different perspective and is 100% interesting and fun to watch. Tho for first-time audience original version is recommended (or the 2001 concert), it can better explain why ST is so good as musical
I kinda hate this ending when compared to the OBC. The orchestra blows me away, this just fades into nothing, boring! Still love the show tho, but not sure minimalist works for Sweeney
7 years later and I agree, this production (and most John Doyle productions) just sucks all the life of the originals. Nothing wrong with minimalistic Sweeney Todd (see the 2001 and 2014 concerts), but this is just boring
Thats bc of the interpretation that toby is telling the story from within a mental asylum. Thats why its so minimal, bc they only have access to limited objects in the asylum
I just wish the audience didn't laugh and applaud every time I try to watch something with Patti lupone. Most of the time, it's not for anything deserved.
I enjoyed the idea of the show being set in a lunatic asylum. I also thought the actors playing instruments was a novel idea. It was fun. Once. However, the latter has been done to death now. It's a one trick pony that keeps getting repeated. I hated the concept in the revival of Company for example. Get those musicians back in the pit!
@@oliverdelica2289 oh these are some old comments but I think making high schoolers do that would speak to How Well their directors did their jobs. In a more professional sense, most people wouldn't have seen either the company revival or This. It's still a great idea travelling companies tbh
One of my favorite things about Sondheim’s musical scores is the effective orchestrations. The actors-play-their-instruments idea is nice, but it waters down the music and makes it sound thin and dreary. Sweeney Todd as a musical lends itself to the epic orchestra sound, in my opinion at lesst
Its because of the interpretation of this production. The idea is that The only real person is Toby, and that he's a mad man telling a story from inside a mental asylum. Bc of the asylum idea, they only have access to limited objects (as u would in an asylum). He is using anything he can to tell the story.
I think it's just cute/funny. The whole thing with Tobi is that he's either a child (movie) or a mentally slow simpleton (such as here). She's playing with him like he's a toddler, and he's getting enthralled by her hand movements.
I think I prefer the Tim Burton version, but that's probably because I saw it first. This feels SUPER campy but I get that that was what they were going for here and I'd be lying if I said I didn't kind of love it. xD
The original Broadway play was meant to be just as much a black comedy as it was a tragic drama (it did not have certain things this version has though, like the instrument players walking on stage). So "God, That's Good!" is basically a reprise of "Pirelli's Miracle Elixir," with the equally fraudulent nature of Lovette's pies. And part of the dark humor is that everyone is unknowingly committing cannibalism, yet they enjoy it and they are all shouting for more. I personally would have preferred if Tim Burton incorporated a little more of that humor, to keep the depressing nature of the story from being too overpowering throughout in his movie version, while still making it no less sick, twisted, and morbid. Again, that is just for my... tastes. *rimshot sound effect*
Okay can we all agree that Patti's entrance is I C O N I C? The little dance really sells it LMAO
Patti lupone is so funny and beautiful !! I love her she is the best 😍
Good thing she didn't catch you filming this!!!
sally1112 SHELL TAKE YOUR PHONNNNNNEEEE XD
@@Molly-tv5svthis is 2006 this was filmed using a camcorder
This production was incredible. The first time this show has ever actually creeped me out -- particularly the final scene. And the arrangements were brilliant. Not once did I ever feel like anything was missing.
I thought the concept for this was interesting. all of the actors stayed on stage at all times playing instruments. I loved pattis entrance to this song
Patti was cute as hell 👌🏻
I don't like how this blurs the storyline of the number. I'm not a purist but it's so unclear what Sweeney is up to. Why does it necessitate the knocking? The payoff just isn't there.
Y'know, I saw this staging and I never did understand the tiny-coffin bit.
Late reply, but the concept of this production is that the cast are insane asylum patients using anything they can to retell the story that's why they are playing instruments and using very simplistic props. It's basically implied that Toby is the only person who is the real character, the rest are acting out the story. So that's why they don't use an actual chair
Even later reply.
White often symbolizes innocence but also potentially death, in a ghostly manner. The white coffin is used to represent the death of innocence, in more ways than one: Sweeney's killings, his abandoned innocence, and, later, the haunting murder of his own wife. The Beggar Woman also holds the coffin like a baby, which can symbolize Sweeney's lost chance at any regular, loving family, with his wife and daughter or even Lovett and Toby.
I actually think that this is a really well made revival for something as iconic as Sweeney Todd, it introduced a completely new and different perspective and is 100% interesting and fun to watch. Tho for first-time audience original version is recommended (or the 2001 concert), it can better explain why ST is so good as musical
I kinda hate this ending when compared to the OBC. The orchestra blows me away, this just fades into nothing, boring! Still love the show tho, but not sure minimalist works for Sweeney
7 years later and I agree, this production (and most John Doyle productions) just sucks all the life of the originals. Nothing wrong with minimalistic Sweeney Todd (see the 2001 and 2014 concerts), but this is just boring
This revival definitely went with the minimalistic approach, to say the least
Thats bc of the interpretation that toby is telling the story from within a mental asylum. Thats why its so minimal, bc they only have access to limited objects in the asylum
ahhhh that explains his outfit too?@@salomonrael8117
This is so funny! Friggin love it!
I just wish the audience didn't laugh and applaud every time I try to watch something with Patti lupone. Most of the time, it's not for anything deserved.
IRENEEEE
I would love to see more of this recording. There are only bits and pieces on youtube. Have any more?? Thanks for the upload!
I enjoyed the idea of the show being set in a lunatic asylum. I also thought the actors playing instruments was a novel idea. It was fun. Once. However, the latter has been done to death now. It's a one trick pony that keeps getting repeated. I hated the concept in the revival of Company for example. Get those musicians back in the pit!
The musicians were *also the actors* in this staging of ST.
What if this were a high school production?
@@oliverdelica2289 oh these are some old comments but I think making high schoolers do that would speak to How Well their directors did their jobs.
In a more professional sense, most people wouldn't have seen either the company revival or This. It's still a great idea travelling companies tbh
One of my favorite things about Sondheim’s musical scores is the effective orchestrations. The actors-play-their-instruments idea is nice, but it waters down the music and makes it sound thin and dreary. Sweeney Todd as a musical lends itself to the epic orchestra sound, in my opinion at lesst
why did they not do the chair test?
Its because of the interpretation of this production. The idea is that The only real person is Toby, and that he's a mad man telling a story from inside a mental asylum. Bc of the asylum idea, they only have access to limited objects (as u would in an asylum). He is using anything he can to tell the story.
okayyy quick question...what i going on at 5:11? You guys I'm legit so confused about this and no one will answer me on this
I mean everyone starts laughing when she swats his hands away so I'm a little confused...
Honestly, I have no clue.
I think it's just cute/funny. The whole thing with Tobi is that he's either a child (movie) or a mentally slow simpleton (such as here). She's playing with him like he's a toddler, and he's getting enthralled by her hand movements.
Is there a DVD release with this cast?
Zejety no but the full production is on RUclips
Can you put something more from this production, please?
Wonder if she can actually play
I think I prefer the Tim Burton version, but that's probably because I saw it first. This feels SUPER campy but I get that that was what they were going for here and I'd be lying if I said I didn't kind of love it. xD
The original Broadway play was meant to be just as much a black comedy as it was a tragic drama (it did not have certain things this version has though, like the instrument players walking on stage). So "God, That's Good!" is basically a reprise of "Pirelli's Miracle Elixir," with the equally fraudulent nature of Lovette's pies. And part of the dark humor is that everyone is unknowingly committing cannibalism, yet they enjoy it and they are all shouting for more.
I personally would have preferred if Tim Burton incorporated a little more of that humor, to keep the depressing nature of the story from being too overpowering throughout in his movie version, while still making it no less sick, twisted, and morbid. Again, that is just for my... tastes. *rimshot sound effect*
instantrimshot.com
Ally Keegan Its supposed to be a bit campy. Watch the original with George Hearn
At least you're open to appreciating different versions!!!
So glad I didn't spend my hard-earned money on this production.
Lansbury was better. not a fan of the casting in this version