Sad nobody understood her Adam Graham dude! Trying to steal her mother's jewelry then tried to take her money! Nobody Understood Vanessa Wogan Phillips English. She just wants to disappear from the abusers!
I've heard every version: Frankie, Barbara, Judy Collins, etc. And this one, by far, strikes the marrow of the song. It is the most moving version. It is not about who has the most impressive voice. She made me cry.
Yes, she doesn't have the refinement of many of the other legendary artists but her expressions and the inflections of the words shows how masterful she is at her acting
Yeah... it's a master's rendition. It is fortunate to bear witness to such master throughout a life of wisdom developed, and communicated. Thank you for sharing this Joan.
She's a great actress; she's seriously thinking, concentrating about what she's saying; she's using what actors call sense memory; and heaven knows what else. She's mesmerizing, magnetic; she's a marvel. Thank you for this, Dame Judi.
@@tristonst.romain4336 She sounded much the same when she was the original London Sally Bowles. The reviewer went twice and said something like "I can confirm having seen this show for a second time that Miss Dench is not suffering from a cold; she just sounds like that." But that's the point in Cabaret, and it's the point here.
@@ThomasDawkins88 Christopher Isherwood, the creator of Sally Bowles, hated Liza's portrayal of her because she was too good a singer and too obviously a star. Sally was neither of these.
You also have to listen with your soul, with your whole being, with empathy, connecting with the performer and the performance..Sad, that you are unable hear the magic, the longing, the sadness, the everything that her great talent has presented.
I still find this the most beautiful performance of Send in the Clowns ever; I don't care if she misses notes ... she has lived this song, you can tell by how she performs it. It is mesmerizing.
Truly the ultimate, definitive, heart wrenching performance. She knows and means every syllable of every word. No other actor has gotten to the depth of the soul of the character. Her performance literally takes the air out of your lungs.
Completely agree! Sondheim wrote A Little Night Music with Glynis Johns in mind to play Desiree, he was a huge fan of hers. Glynis Johns was a brilliant Actress, not a singer, but Sondheim knew she could carry a tune and perform the song, so he composed Send in the Clowns knowing what Glynis Johns was capable of doing with the song. I cringe every time I hear a well trained singer perform Send in the Clowns, it wasn't composed for trained singers.
Sometime when I am writing, sitting on the couch in the evening, I notice, out of the corner of my eye, that my husband is staring at me . Because I am now comfortably into my 60's and secretly insecure, maybe because I have unconsciously bought into Hollywoods portrayal of Older women. I wonder if he stares because there is a booger on my nose , or because of the way my skin now hangs just a bit below my chin, or because my eyes are not quite as round and fresh my body not as lean and quick. But then when I look over at him I realize it is for the same reason it has always been. Age gives and takes, and what it gives is far more lovely than what it might take. Judi Dench is such a perfect example of that. How one becomes more beautiful as you rub elbows with time. Such a graceful, lovely woman.
@@benswindlehurst1857 ahhhh, I'll steer clear of you. My typing and grammar skills would not stand up to your eagle eyed critical scrutiny. (oops, did I forget a comma?) You will probably see that I often times forget my socks and miss button holes too. Next time I'll put in a purposeful misspelling, just to brighten your day. :)
I never 'got' the song until I saw this performance. I was in tears. I will never understand how she makes emotion look so natural, real & effortless.Amazing.
I originally thought the anger in that line was a bit too much, but in retrospect, it's exactly right. There's a little bit of reprimand coupled with self-deprecation there. So yes. Absolutely brilliant delivery.
I truly think she’s merely referring to herself; what a fool I’ve been and what a buffoon I am now. Angry at her own poor judgement, her poor choices. You agree?
@@NYCRhythm I definitely agree! She's angry and frustrated with herself, and the choices she made in life. She chose to focus on her career, and while that brought her fame and accolades, it ultimately didn't make her happy. She lost out on a meaningful relationship with Fredrick-- twice, and she barely knows her own daughter as Mme. Armsfeldt is raising Fredricka, so they're practically strangers. At best, they're penpals, but they don't really have a Mother/Daughter relationship. And while we know that she gets her happy ending, Desiree is unaware of that during this moment, and it's in this song that she realizes how truly alone she is. It's rather heartbreaking.
Most people don’t know this. Before she went on, she was backstage saying “why do they want me to do this”. I can’t sing. She was so nervous. She didn’t think she could do the song justice. Well, she did.❤️🙏
I'll politely disagree, as I began tearing up as soon as I saw this selection in my side-bar. This song has seemingly waited for Dame Judy to come along since being written. Now that the performance is over, the song can now bask in the warm glow of success. In any event, all I needed to see was the title to start tearing up, and I knew this was going to be a VERY worthwhile performance.
With respect, the song is made for actors, not singers, as another commenter has pointed out. You can't do this song justice at age 20; you have to by Glynis Johns or another of the many mature actresses who have tried their hand. This is a perfect performance because she understands the lyrics and relates to them. Forget the big blasting voices of The Voice, a song like this is a story, and someone who has lived the story is in the best place to tell the story. Imagine as a woman of her age and skill in the theatre, how many times she's thought to herself, "Send in the clowns, don't bother, they're here".
@@Rainmaker65 I'm going to disagree with you...i started crying when I woke up knowing I would go on RUclips looking for instructions on how to fix my dishwasher, but somewhere in the back of my mind, knowing I would see forlorn face of Judi Dench.
Yes! Thank God they refrained from yelling ‘ In the hole!’ or other stupid comments. So many performances are rudely applauded waaaaaaaay too soon and the magical spell is broken. It must annoy the artists and musicians who enjoyed creating the wonderful sounds so beautifully.
@@jamessim1858 You have no idea what you are talking about. It's not a pretty ballad as sung by Judy Collins or Frank Sinatra, it is an integral part of "A Little Night music" by Stephen Sondheim. Dench played the lead female role in the London premiere. As the previous poster noted, the song was written for Glynis Johns, an excellent actress who was not an especially good singer, hence the short phrases, necessary because she could not sustain notes. Dench perfectly captures the meaning of the song, which is a reflects on the ironies and disappointments of the character's life.
I never understood this song, until now that is. Listening to Dame Judi Dench's version is....for lacknof a better phrase, transformative. I felt every word, every syllable. I know she will never read this, but thank you ma'am. This version brought me to tears. You were perfectly imperfect, and I was spellbound. I've listened to your version about 10 plus times now. And I will continue to listen to it. Thank you.
The emotions in the way she sings it is off the scale. This is what musical theatre is all about. It is not about hitting every note perfectly, but telling a story and this is just perfection
For a "non-singer" Dench has done some pretty memorable work in musicals! Her Sally Bowles in "Cabaret" is probably the best ever, and she later recorded the other female lead, Fr. Schneider -- written for another great "non-singer," Lotte Lenya. Remember too that she was originally cast as Grizabella in "Cats," but had to bow out due to an injury; imagine what she might have donbe with "Memory."
Dear Dame Judi Dench, adding *ANOTHER* reason as to why she is so highly regarded & so downright lovable. Her emotions ran quite deep doing this. I felt her husband, Michael Williams had a role in her thoughts during this as well. Brava! 🇬🇧 Beautifully done.
@@sharongower5848 All well and good that she's your "hero" (should be "heroine", actually) but the point is that "Send In The Clowns" is a SONG, and it is supposed to be SUNG... by a SINGER, not an "ACTOR". Regardless of your "girl crush" it would be nice if you could bring just a bit of objectivity to the subject... which is singing, not acting (fantastic or not).
She is magnificent!! Her timing, her facial expressions, her beautiful voice. There was not a sound coming from the audience during her performance. No one wanted to miss one moment of the story she was telling. I've seen this song "sung" before, but she acted it out, and it was perfection!!!!
Incredible. Every note she sang was pitch perfect. No one has ever given such a moving performance. The perfect blend of notes, story telling, emotion. Brava Brava Brava
I am not a fan of non-singer interpretations of great songs...and coming here after Sinatra's seminal, eternal reading. But...Judi Dench proves the exception. And here I am left in tears. A brilliant performance. Her glances, expressions, and voice tell a story of tragedy, mistiming, farce, and aging. Beautiful.
This is such a perfect performance. This beautiful lament was made for the more mature voice whose life experience could truly witness the regret that this song portrays. Great face, great voice, great memories in her twinkling eyes. For those who don't get it, I think as the years roll on it will come to you. Just magnificent.
amartinblueplanet It's clear that Dame Judi is not a professional singer but this is one song that is ruined when it is sung perfectly beautifully. Dame Judi won't sell many records, but she sings/talks through this as one would when the feelings she portrays are real, immediate, enough to close off half the throat. IF sung beautifully, the feelings the words elucidate are lost When half talked, half sung, those feelings are as realistic as a heart break. Well done, Judi.
Uhmmm, Dench played the original London Sally Bowles when CABARET played in the West End in 1967. I saw her as a very young thing back then in 1968 in that role. She IS a professional singer -- but she has that cracking voice. It's a matter of taste.
54 year ol d male here. The very last part of the song, with Judy Denches intense stare towards her inner thoughts, got me into tears. So stunningly beautiful and moving. Greetings from Italy.
i can’t help but cry at just how beautiful this rendition is. the emotion is so powerful and it really brings the story to the forefront, rather than a performer favouring vocals over anything else. stunning
Have you ever heard a song, and thought - that, is just what I’m feeling right now. Just heard this performance for the first time and that is exactly what DJD does. She doesn’t “Sing” it as the title says, she feels it. Most of us, would sound exactly like this if we were truly expressing our feelings, raw, emotional, heartfelt, angry, sad, disappointed, depressed and failing. This is not a song. This isn’t sung… This is a soul expressing its deepest feelings, and it is one of the MOST BEAUTIFUL things I’ve ever heard in my life. I feel blessed to have heard it, seen it, felt it, lived it. Open your hearts, not your ears. That silence as she shows her soul, is exactly what you should be. Silent. Embracing this wondrous emotion. Not a sound amongst the thousands there. Simply open to what was her bearing her soul. Beautiful Thank you so much Dame Judi Dench. Thank you so much ❤
@@estelleevert6734 ~ Thanks for this. Had never seen nor heard of this before. Have thoroughly enjoyed her since her delightful series, As Time Goes By, through PBS stateside. Have found other series & delightful movies, Lavender Ladies, Tea With Mussolini + so much, I have quite a collection. Talented & just comes across as a delightful person. Oh, & love her on The Graham Norton show. (Apologies for all the babble.)
As some one who is in music education this has to be one of the most charged literature based performances I have seen so far… such love and innocence in the sound is just 😘😘👌👌
@@hermannsteinpilz4581 I respect your humble opinion but their is far more here than what is given credit for. Anyone can say yeah you sound good, but not many can understand what is being done
My God....one could hear a pin drop while she sang. She had them after her first sentence! Sondheim was and is never concerned with one's voice. He once said "save the vocal beauty for other singers on their CD's. All I want is the audiences attention and appreciation.....regardless of the vocal brilliance from the singers." " I want the audience to walk out of the theater saying they loved EVERYTHING THEY JUST SAW AND HEARD.....not just any particular performer. PERFORMANCE...YES---PERFORMER ...NO."
Simply stunning and awesome, one voice holding the whole of the audience in the palms of her hands. You don't blink or look away from that performance for one single second.
This never gets old, even after 13 years it was gorgeously performed by the Great Dame herself. 🥹🥲 She commands the stage with her presence and with the sensuous sound of the orchestra serenading along with her only then this pin drop silent in the hall can be achieved ❤ Thank You again for this remarkable performance. I need tissue please 🥲🥲
I watched Judi Dench perform this song at the National theatre in London in the mid 1990’s during the run of Sondheim’s ‘A Little Night Music’. I will never forget her performance, which was outstanding. I wrote her a letter of appreciation afterwards, and she kindly responded. I will always keep this letter. If you get the chance to see Judi Dench on stage, get yourself a ticket at all costs!
This is how the song is supposed to be sung. It's a haunting lyric and the voice is supposed to hoarse as if the singer is crying at reminiscing about the past.
@@jackgandolfo1328right back at ya... you obviously never heard of musical theatre? Like Brecht's Threepenny Opera, for example. It's not about perfect singing like Ariana Grande but carrying deep emotions in a way that the audience is spellbound.
I have had people ask me "What do you think you re going to miss most when you are gone'? Obviously the answer to this question is "Am I going to be aware of time, space and my past experiences when my time has past"? Who Knows? But I do know this, Judi Dench and her contemporaries gave me the gift of love while I was here. She made me understand that you simply don't love people for what they are, but, for what you are when you are with them and for the part of you that they brought out. So, I may be an old man, my face shows an abundance of wrinkles but hidden in my past and known only to me is the love others have shown me and the love I have given in response and the joy I have every night when my head finds my pillow and every morning when the light of day alerts me that a new day is beckoning. Thanks Judi Dench and I thank all those others who overlooked all the foolish weak things in my life and drew out into the light all the beautiful parts of me that others had not looked quite far enough to find.
I believe you will. What does a ghost who haunts a particular location and the person who dies and comes back to say they saw loved ones have in common? Our lives are energy, once created does not dissipate only changes form. Our purpose is to create memories because they are the one thing we take with us...
This was my Grandpa's favorite song we played it at his funeral. I think why he like this song so much because he was a clown himself miss you grandpa!!!
Chris Miccolupi sorry for your loss. This song means a lot to me too because it was sung at my mom's funeral. When she was alive, this was the song she would do for karaoke.
The clowns that think she’s making a bad effort at this piece,she one of the very best actors in the world. That’s what she’s doing utter class. Watch her a lady Macbeth with Ian mckellen. Pure genius. Regards. John h
whoa! Wow! now, i don't understand how people can say, "she can't sing". her interpretation, the character of her voice and her face made this musical performance just unbelievably beautiful.
Love the song but this is the absolute best I have ever heard it done because she IS the actress who is actually singing and Dame Judi just did PERFECTLY. SHE IS THE G.O.A.T. at whatever she does in the theatre or on film,.
Sondheim said that he had never been more moved by the song than when he experienced Judi Dench's interpretation of it. When he first heard her he said he thought he had never heard it before.
This is the best voice for this song. Someone of age, and experienced how it felt like yesterday. This is a song from someone who has experienced the wisdom of the passing of years. Reminiscing of what could've been.
The first time I saw her lerform this song, she was sitting on the edge of a two people bed. Alone. With that special voice of hers. I broke down and cried. She is such a fantastic actress! The depth she gives to this, already great song, gives me goosebumps, everytime I hear it.
Matra Simca This isn't suppose to be a " singing"performance per se but a persons interpetive prespective of the song.And it is beautifully done.Captures the meaning of the song to perfection.Dame Judi Dench's version is Shakespearean.Cuts like a knife....
Matra Simca Oh, you're so funny.NOT.First, no I'm not British...second maybe you should do some research on the song written by Sondheim.The original artist was Glynis Johns , he wrote the song for her for a play "A Little Night Music"..clearly you don't have the slightest comprehension of theater, or art and all your taste is in your vulgar big mouth.You probably think the song is about a circus...duh.
Matra Simca...what a phony ....You are wrong he wrote the song in 2 days for Glynis Johns.I'm not going to get into an argument and dog Collins ...hers is a beautiful "SINGING VERSION" of the song.Listen to Johns, Elizabeth Taylor, J.Dench...they are "ACTING" the song.Give it a rest, you're getting to be a BORING pest now.Funny how people fill theatres to see this play and how many positive comments there are.But of course with your superior knowledge of all things I guess we're suppose to kiss your ass and say you're ABSOLUTELY right, an be grateful for sharing your expert opinion so eloquently and with such class.Be careful when it rains, cos' your nose is so high up in the air....you may drown.Really? Dream on.
I had the great pleasure of interviewing both Judi Dench and Stephen Sondheim when I worked in London's West Theatre. Theatres will be dark this weekend as a mark of respect following the news that Stephen Sondheim died this evening, age 91.
Her straining voice cords made her sound like a heartbroken women and it brought tears to my eyes. Singing a song is so much more than just vibratos and belting.
What a beautiful performance. Some of the people commenting here should realize that singing is not always about hitting all the right notes, or vocal acrobatics, or belting. Dame Judy was absolutely on point with this performance. She wasn't off-key, and she conveyed emotions through her voice perfectly.
Judi actually started in caberet when young she does theater every couple years that is her love. The theater There are a group of us that follow her from usa. Some of us have met her.saying how lovely she is to her fans.
Bluedolphingirl01 it matters not how often I listen to this song, as it never grows old. Her sincerity of singing this song is what haunts your memory to play it again. Love the song and love Dame Judi as this dong belongs to her and no one will ever take it away.
well this is what singing a musical theatre song supposed to be. not hitting the notes perfectly or as they are written. saying the words however you feel. bravo
Obviously that's not what i meant but anyway. I think being uptight about art is stupid and just stands in front of creativity of especially singers. Songs are not belong to the composers but to the singer once they are being performed. I strongly believe that's what makes opera feel ancient rather than classical most of the times. Blindfold commitment to the standardized execusions.
She understands the specificity of musical theatre. She’s an ennobling force for theatrical arts. What a blessing she is. And how deeply she should be applauded.
An article honoring Sondheim mentioned to check this performance out and so glad I did. Lovely and now sobbing. Gosh I love that song and her perform was spot on.
This is a masterclass in understanding a song.
adam marshall Where are the finance bros?
Yes there is type Stephen Sondheim masterclass from the 80s
Cleo Laine was similar, just bought the song alive. This is just brilliant though.
Sad nobody understood her Adam Graham dude! Trying to steal her mother's jewelry then tried to take her money! Nobody Understood Vanessa Wogan Phillips English. She just wants to disappear from the abusers!
A beautiful performance by a beautiful woman..thank you.
I've heard every version: Frankie, Barbara, Judy Collins, etc. And this one, by far, strikes the marrow of the song. It is the most moving version. It is not about who has the most impressive voice.
She made me cry.
Yes, she doesn't have the refinement of many of the other legendary artists but her expressions and the inflections of the words shows how masterful she is at her acting
Her version reminds me of somebody washing the dishes in an empty house and seeing their reflection in the kitchen window.
Reminiscing on life.
You can feel the love & pure passion ! ❤
Yeah... it's a master's rendition. It is fortunate to bear witness to such master throughout a life of wisdom developed, and communicated. Thank you for sharing this Joan.
Yes Joan!!! You have hit the nail on the head, absolutely makes the words to this song hit you in the chest the way in which she performs it!
She's a great actress; she's seriously thinking, concentrating about what she's saying; she's using what actors call sense memory; and heaven knows what else. She's mesmerizing, magnetic; she's a marvel. Thank you for this, Dame Judi.
Didn't know M could sing...
An actor who sings! Not a "vocalist", but an actor who conveys the story with the talent required. Stunning!
she was a singer i think. a surgery had cost her voice though
Like Sinatra did.
@@tristonst.romain4336 She sounded much the same when she was the original London Sally Bowles. The reviewer went twice and said something like "I can confirm having seen this show for a second time that Miss Dench is not suffering from a cold; she just sounds like that." But that's the point in Cabaret, and it's the point here.
Glenn Close is superb at this song. I think judi and Glenn are tied for 1st place.
@@ThomasDawkins88 Christopher Isherwood, the creator of Sally Bowles, hated Liza's portrayal of her because she was too good a singer and too obviously a star. Sally was neither of these.
For all those who think she can't sing, she's not trying to sing it, she's performing it.
She's feeling it truly.
darling, performing........indeed, but what a shit performance......maybe in your parish hall.............?
Jay Pecquay it's a stunning performance. Clean your ears out
Exactly right, well said.
You also have to listen with your soul, with your whole being, with empathy, connecting with the performer and the performance..Sad, that you are unable hear the magic, the longing, the sadness, the everything that her great talent has presented.
I still find this the most beautiful performance of Send in the Clowns ever; I don't care if she misses notes ... she has lived this song, you can tell by how she performs it. It is mesmerizing.
It's a beautiful thing I love her performance...how are you doing today?
She's indeed wonderful...how are you doing today?
In acting and singing, notes can be wrong and even add to the story. The acting must be on spot.
Maria Callas would approve of this performance. For Callas was a great singing actress...
I know right? I cried at the end.
Truly the ultimate, definitive, heart wrenching performance. She knows and means every syllable of every word. No other actor has gotten to the depth of the soul of the character. Her performance literally takes the air out of your lungs.
Glynis Johns
It broke my heart! I wanted to give her a hug and tell her she's loved. Amazing, Dame Judi!
Amen!
Beautifully stated!! Amen!
Spot on
...and our tears never stop running...
RIP Stephen Sondheim. Thanks for writing this classic.
Heartbreaking loss.
An amazing legacy.
And that, ladies and gentlemen, is how you tell a story!
Right, that's the way how you do that.
Amen!
Dear Mark, yes, that's how you tell a story. Bless you and all you love. CVD
you poor fool........with a surname like yours sweetheart you will never be a gentleman............x
Mark Luyk , you are right
I Believe THAT is how that song was meant to be sung. With feeling. With pause. So much more elegant.
Easy for you to say, being as famous as her
Completely agree! Sondheim wrote A Little Night Music with Glynis Johns in mind to play Desiree, he was a huge fan of hers. Glynis Johns was a brilliant Actress, not a singer, but Sondheim knew she could carry a tune and perform the song, so he composed Send in the Clowns knowing what Glynis Johns was capable of doing with the song. I cringe every time I hear a well trained singer perform Send in the Clowns, it wasn't composed for trained singers.
Sometime when I am writing, sitting on the couch in the evening, I notice, out of the corner of my eye, that my husband is staring at me . Because I am now comfortably into my 60's and secretly insecure, maybe because I have unconsciously bought into Hollywoods portrayal of Older women. I wonder if he stares because there is a booger on my nose , or because of the way my skin now hangs just a bit below my chin, or because my eyes are not quite as round and fresh my body not as lean and quick. But then when I look over at him I realize it is for the same reason it has always been. Age gives and takes, and what it gives is far more lovely than what it might take. Judi Dench is such a perfect example of that. How one becomes more beautiful as you rub elbows with time. Such a graceful, lovely woman.
Sweet! When my husband looks that way, he wants a 🍺 !
What a lovely comment❤️
Bless you and your husband🙏🏽
Beautifully put! He’s a lucky fellow 🥰
Maybe he’s staring at how many times you’re hitting that space button.
@@benswindlehurst1857 ahhhh, I'll steer clear of you. My typing and grammar skills would not stand up to your eagle eyed critical scrutiny. (oops, did I forget a comma?) You will probably see that I often times forget my socks and miss button holes too. Next time I'll put in a purposeful misspelling, just to brighten your day. :)
I never 'got' the song until I saw this performance. I was in tears. I will never understand how she makes emotion look so natural, real & effortless.Amazing.
Dame Judi dench is Britain's greatest actress🎭.. ❤
☆
It is all fake. She is an actress.
@@prrr446 It's Dame Judi a national treasure. She can do what ever she bloody well likes. Show some respect.
@@ShadyKray I don't like her.
@@prrr446 It's all a matter of taste. Some of us have it, some don't; simple as that.
The way she snaps "Don't bother" with so much anger and then her voice just breaks at "they're here". It's brilliant and deeply tragic
I originally thought the anger in that line was a bit too much, but in retrospect, it's exactly right. There's a little bit of reprimand coupled with self-deprecation there. So yes. Absolutely brilliant delivery.
I truly think she’s merely referring to herself; what a fool I’ve been and what a buffoon I am now. Angry at her own poor judgement, her poor choices. You agree?
@@NYCRhythm I definitely agree! She's angry and frustrated with herself, and the choices she made in life. She chose to focus on her career, and while that brought her fame and accolades, it ultimately didn't make her happy. She lost out on a meaningful relationship with Fredrick-- twice, and she barely knows her own daughter as Mme. Armsfeldt is raising Fredricka, so they're practically strangers. At best, they're penpals, but they don't really have a Mother/Daughter relationship. And while we know that she gets her happy ending, Desiree is unaware of that during this moment, and it's in this song that she realizes how truly alone she is. It's rather heartbreaking.
@@NYCRhythm Well, hers and his too; and it's all beautifully summed up in one line.
Darby Turnbull Yes, it’s Judi Dench.
Most people don’t know this. Before she went on, she was backstage saying “why do they want me to do this”.
I can’t sing. She was so nervous. She didn’t think she could do the song justice.
Well, she did.❤️🙏
One of the best versions of this song that I've heard.
I think she was right
Oh the aching sadness in her face. I cried before she sang a word. Surely no one felt the sorrow in the song more.
Beautifully and perfectly put Andrian.
I'll politely disagree, as I began tearing up as soon as I saw this selection in my side-bar. This song has seemingly waited for Dame Judy to come along since being written. Now that the performance is over, the song can now bask in the warm glow of success. In any event, all I needed to see was the title to start tearing up, and I knew this was going to be a VERY worthwhile performance.
With respect, the song is made for actors, not singers, as another commenter has pointed out. You can't do this song justice at age 20; you have to by Glynis Johns or another of the many mature actresses who have tried their hand. This is a perfect performance because she understands the lyrics and relates to them. Forget the big blasting voices of The Voice, a song like this is a story, and someone who has lived the story is in the best place to tell the story. Imagine as a woman of her age and skill in the theatre, how many times she's thought to herself, "Send in the clowns, don't bother, they're here".
you must have been feeling some type of way before you started this video 😂
@@Rainmaker65 I'm going to disagree with you...i started crying when I woke up knowing I would go on RUclips looking for instructions on how to fix my dishwasher, but somewhere in the back of my mind, knowing I would see forlorn face of Judi Dench.
That was emotional, superb. What an actress, what great talent!!
Ma quanto bella ed affascinante è questa donna....❤🎼
Brava to the audience in this theater that GETS it. Dench is sublime. Period.
Its the Royal Albert Hall in London, England. Ive sat in there such a lovely place
Yes! Thank God they refrained from yelling ‘ In the hole!’ or other stupid comments. So many performances are rudely applauded waaaaaaaay too soon and the magical spell is broken. It must annoy the artists and musicians who enjoyed creating the wonderful sounds so beautifully.
Perfect . This song was written for an actress not a pure singer, hence the emotion. Just beautiful.
Your easily pleased dude she murdered the song
@@jamessim1858 You have no idea what you are talking about. It's not a pretty ballad as sung by Judy Collins or Frank Sinatra, it is an integral part of "A Little Night music" by Stephen Sondheim. Dench played the lead female role in the London premiere. As the previous poster noted, the song was written for Glynis Johns, an excellent actress who was not an especially good singer, hence the short phrases, necessary because she could not sustain notes. Dench perfectly captures the meaning of the song, which is a reflects on the ironies and disappointments of the character's life.
An actress Not acting!
Well, it was written to fill in a crucial moment in the drama but Sondheim saw that it could also be sung as a pure melody.
@@freethrice Yes, this version is refreshing, different and very moving.
I never understood this song, until now that is. Listening to Dame Judi Dench's version is....for lacknof a better phrase, transformative. I felt every word, every syllable.
I know she will never read this, but thank you ma'am. This version brought me to tears. You were perfectly imperfect, and I was spellbound. I've listened to your version about 10 plus times now. And I will continue to listen to it.
Thank you.
The emotions in the way she sings it is off the scale. This is what musical theatre is all about. It is not about hitting every note perfectly, but telling a story and this is just perfection
though she does hit the notes perfectly in tune as well as the brilliant performance :)
For a "non-singer" Dench has done some pretty memorable work in musicals! Her Sally Bowles in "Cabaret" is probably the best ever, and she later recorded the other female lead, Fr. Schneider -- written for another great "non-singer," Lotte Lenya. Remember too that she was originally cast as Grizabella in "Cats," but had to bow out due to an injury; imagine what she might have donbe with "Memory."
Dear Dame Judi Dench, adding *ANOTHER* reason as to why she is so highly regarded & so downright lovable. Her emotions ran quite deep doing this. I felt her husband, Michael Williams had a role in her thoughts during this as well. Brava! 🇬🇧 Beautifully done.
Sung with style but...who is the idiot that asked her to do this?!?!
She doesn’t just sing or recites this song, Dame Judi feels every lyric, thus moving the soul and ears of those who hear this version.
I don't know why I'm even surprised. She's far & away the greatest theatre actress who has ever graced the stage.
And the best M.
Tell that to Ellen Terry.
Such a fantastic actor no matter what the subject, my hero
@@sharongower5848 All well and good that she's your "hero" (should be "heroine", actually) but the point is that "Send In The Clowns" is a SONG, and it is supposed to be SUNG... by a SINGER, not an "ACTOR". Regardless of your "girl crush" it would be nice if you could bring just a bit of objectivity to the subject... which is singing, not acting (fantastic or not).
Grow up too many nasty people in this world already. Also we don't differentiate between gender anymore.
I'm in tears. It's her face, so expressive, so sad.
She is magnificent!! Her timing, her facial expressions, her beautiful voice. There was not a sound coming from the audience during her performance. No one wanted to miss one moment of the story she was telling. I've seen this song "sung" before, but she acted it out, and it was perfection!!!!
Incredible. Every note she sang was pitch perfect. No one has ever given such a moving performance. The perfect blend of notes, story telling, emotion. Brava Brava Brava
People say Leonard Cohen couldn't sing either, but either you get it or you don't, this is a heart felt wonderful performance of a great song .
And Bert Bacharach
There is singing - and storytelling.
Sondheim writes music for actors who can sing. Not singers who can 'act'. What an astonishing woman. Happy Birthday Dame Judi! xx
She’s on of God’s most talented creatures. We have been graced by her genius. Brava!
I love how she mentally prepares for this performance and gets into character before she sings one note.
I am not a fan of non-singer interpretations of great songs...and coming here after Sinatra's seminal, eternal reading. But...Judi Dench proves the exception. And here I am left in tears. A brilliant performance. Her glances, expressions, and voice tell a story of tragedy, mistiming, farce, and aging. Beautiful.
And how subtly she did everything. The little glances spoke volumes! I love her
The song was originally written for Glynis Johns, who was a non-singer, too. This is precisely what the song should sound like.
A non singer is more authentic
@@lpburrows I saw the original production with Glynis Johns (pre-Broadway) and you are absolutely right.
GLORIOUS is the only word for it. Her performance is so powerful it can break your bones.
Yes good performance...Hello friend..How are you doing today?
This is such a perfect performance. This beautiful lament was made for the more mature voice whose life experience could truly witness the regret that this song portrays. Great face, great voice, great memories in her twinkling eyes. For those who don't get it, I think as the years roll on it will come to you. Just magnificent.
Absolutely right amartinblueplanet!! :-)
yes absolutely Extraordinaire
amartinblueplanet
It's clear that Dame Judi is not a professional singer but this is one song that is ruined when it is sung perfectly beautifully. Dame Judi won't sell many records, but she sings/talks through this as one would when the feelings she portrays are real, immediate, enough to close off half the throat. IF sung beautifully, the feelings the words elucidate are lost When half talked, half sung, those feelings are as realistic as a heart break. Well done, Judi.
Uhmmm, Dench played the original London Sally Bowles when CABARET played in the West End in 1967. I saw her as a very young thing back then in 1968 in that role. She IS a professional singer -- but she has that cracking voice. It's a matter of taste.
Couldn't have said it better.
This performance demonstrates what the theater is for...telling the human story.
She isn't just singing this-she's living every word! Utterly magnificent.
54 year ol d male here. The very last part of the song, with Judy Denches intense stare towards her inner thoughts, got me into tears. So stunningly beautiful and moving.
Greetings from Italy.
i can’t help but cry at just how beautiful this rendition is. the emotion is so powerful and it really brings the story to the forefront, rather than a performer favouring vocals over anything else. stunning
Have you ever heard a song, and thought - that, is just what I’m feeling right now.
Just heard this performance for the first time and that is exactly what DJD does. She doesn’t “Sing” it as the title says, she feels it.
Most of us, would sound exactly like this if we were truly expressing our feelings, raw, emotional, heartfelt, angry, sad, disappointed, depressed and failing.
This is not a song. This isn’t sung…
This is a soul expressing its deepest feelings, and it is one of the MOST BEAUTIFUL things I’ve ever heard in my life. I feel blessed to have heard it, seen it, felt it, lived it.
Open your hearts, not your ears.
That silence as she shows her soul, is exactly what you should be. Silent. Embracing this wondrous emotion.
Not a sound amongst the thousands there.
Simply open to what was her bearing her soul.
Beautiful
Thank you so much Dame Judi Dench. Thank you so much ❤
Your words are *_PERFECT_* , Rob. 💞
@@coastalseasider4634 thank you.
It is truly a remarkable thing to hear this “performance”
X
My favorite version of this song. Judo Dench also originated the role of Sally Bowles on Cabernet. Puts Liza to shame. See it on RUclips.
@@estelleevert6734 ~ Thanks for this. Had never seen nor heard of this before. Have thoroughly enjoyed her since her delightful series, As Time Goes By, through PBS stateside. Have found other series & delightful movies, Lavender Ladies, Tea With Mussolini + so much, I have quite a collection. Talented & just comes across as a delightful person. Oh, & love her on The Graham Norton show. (Apologies for all the babble.)
As some one who is in music education this has to be one of the most charged literature based performances I have seen so far… such love and innocence in the sound is just 😘😘👌👌
I pity your students.
@@hermannsteinpilz4581 I respect your humble opinion but their is far more here than what is given credit for. Anyone can say yeah you sound good, but not many can understand what is being done
Her version was beautiful she's so soft and gentle I cried she's beautiful
Stunning performance from Dame Judy..
Hello Patricia
How are you doing today?
Class and poise. An emotionally intelligent performance. I loved it. 🇦🇺
What a glorious Dame she is.
Chris Blake Dame(German)=Lady?
It's actually the female version of a Knight. Googled it
Dame Judy you are exceptional this rendition is beautiful
Dame (French)= Lady
The writer of the song made it for somebody that wasn’t a singer.
I prefer it this, when actors perform it than when singers sing it ❤
She has the gift of story telling and only a few actors or singers have that gift.
This is one of the saddest songs. So beautifully performed with all the regret and irony
The absolute silence of the audience says it all. Stunning performance!
Best rendition of this song. Ever.
I love how she smiles for the initial applause and then right before your eyes becomes the character
Perfection, pure perfection. Watching this great lady is such a privilege. 🥰
It is the most moving version of this song .Judi sang it with so much feeling
My God....one could hear a pin drop while she sang. She had them after her first sentence! Sondheim was and is never concerned with one's voice. He once said "save the vocal beauty for other singers on their CD's. All I want is the audiences attention and appreciation.....regardless of the vocal brilliance from the singers." " I want the audience to walk out of the theater saying they loved EVERYTHING THEY JUST SAW AND HEARD.....not just any particular performer. PERFORMANCE...YES---PERFORMER ...NO."
Absolutely and he said of Glynis Jones that she had a silvery voice that couldnt hold long notes which is why it was written for her
Thanks for that input and quote; she did Sondheim proud then, didn't she? I thought it was beautiful...
I was thinking the same..WHAT A PERFORMANCE x
Simply stunning and awesome, one voice holding the whole of the audience in the palms of her hands. You don't blink or look away from that performance for one single second.
mikem1966 i
L
I agree with you; these are the great actors/ actresses. Tears drops down for such contrôle of the audience, for such certainty. Love from Sweden; Jan
Nicely put Mikem1966.
mikem1966 b
Judi Dench is glorious! ❤
No matter who is singing, this is one of the most beautiful, sad, deeply moving songs ever written.
2024.... Dame Judy Dench is an artist of the highest order
Beautiful interpretation 🤩❤️ I just love Judy Dench … and here she’s so attractive 😻
This never gets old, even after 13 years it was gorgeously performed by the Great Dame herself. 🥹🥲
She commands the stage with her presence and with the sensuous sound of the orchestra serenading along with her only then this pin drop silent in the hall can be achieved ❤ Thank You again for this remarkable performance.
I need tissue please 🥲🥲
I watched Judi Dench perform this song at the National theatre in London in the mid 1990’s during the run of Sondheim’s ‘A Little Night Music’. I will never forget her performance, which was outstanding. I wrote her a letter of appreciation afterwards, and she kindly responded. I will always keep this letter. If you get the chance to see Judi Dench on stage, get yourself a ticket at all costs!
This is how the song is supposed to be sung. It's a haunting lyric and the voice is supposed to hoarse as if the singer is crying at reminiscing about the past.
Oh, please. How pathetic.
@@jackgandolfo1328right back at ya... you obviously never heard of musical theatre? Like Brecht's Threepenny Opera, for example. It's not about perfect singing like Ariana Grande but carrying deep emotions in a way that the audience is spellbound.
I have had people ask me "What do you think you re going to miss most when you are gone'? Obviously the answer to this question is "Am I going to be aware of time, space and my past experiences when my time has past"? Who Knows? But I do know this, Judi Dench and her contemporaries gave me the gift of love while I was here. She made me understand that you simply don't love people for what they are, but, for what you are when you are with them and for the part of you that they brought out. So, I may be an old man, my face shows an abundance of wrinkles but hidden in my past and known only to me is the love others have shown me and the love I have given in response and the joy I have every night when my head finds my pillow and every morning when the light of day alerts me that a new day is beckoning. Thanks Judi Dench and I thank all those others who overlooked all the foolish weak things in my life and drew out into the light all the beautiful parts of me that others had not looked quite far enough to find.
I believe you will. What does a ghost who haunts a particular location and the person who dies and comes back to say they saw loved ones have in common? Our lives are energy, once created does not dissipate only changes form. Our purpose is to create memories because they are the one thing we take with us...
Henry - that's beautiful man. Words that stand alongside this performance. Bravo Sir.
A life well lived? A life well sorted? Maybe a life understood... finally... understood.
I think Henry just about summed up the essence of life. I wanna be like u when I grow up. 😍
What beautiful words Henry....thank you.
Dame Judi is amazingly beautiful and we are all so lucky to have this to enjoy. She should be cherished ❤
This was my Grandpa's favorite song we played it at his funeral. I think why he like this song so much because he was a clown himself miss you grandpa!!!
Chris Miccolupi sorry for your loss. This song means a lot to me too because it was sung at my mom's funeral. When she was alive, this was the song she would do for karaoke.
How can anybody dislike this? It is fabulous communication?
I remember a couple years ago my choir teacher called this bad! I completely disagree
They just don’t appreciate it like us.
Some people can't tell the difference between a pretty voice and a good performance
Good performance...Hello friend..How are you doing today?
Dame Judy dence the only one who can bring tears to my eyes with this song. Only she can sing this song for me as much as Patti can sing I had a dream
She's absolutely wonderful, I adore her!
Oh my..this is how to interpret a song ..wonderful judi dench
Is there anything this British icon can't do.!! Amazing
The clowns that think she’s making a bad effort at this piece,she one of the very best actors in the world.
That’s what she’s doing utter class. Watch her a lady Macbeth with Ian mckellen. Pure genius. Regards. John h
whoa! Wow!
now, i don't understand how people can say, "she can't sing". her interpretation, the character of her voice and her face made this musical performance just unbelievably beautiful.
absolutely!!!!!
Love the song but this is the absolute best I have ever heard it done because she IS the actress who is actually singing and Dame Judi just did PERFECTLY. SHE IS THE G.O.A.T. at whatever she does in the theatre or on film,.
Just when I thought I have heard enough versions of this song, I come upon this gem. It literately brought tears to my eyes.
Sondheim said that he had never been more moved by the song than when he experienced Judi Dench's interpretation of it. When he first heard her he said he thought he had never heard it before.
One of my favouite ladies, and my favourite song!
This is the best voice for this song. Someone of age, and experienced how it felt like yesterday. This is a song from someone who has experienced the wisdom of the passing of years. Reminiscing of what could've been.
She's magic! I have no words.... Long live, Dame Judi Dench!
Beautiful!
This song captures my mood exactly today.. 😢 a beautiful moving and heart felt version of this heart wrenching song 💔
14 years and this still has the power to bring so much emotion. Thank you Dame Judy! You are a precious jewel!
The first time I saw her lerform this song, she was sitting on the edge of a two people bed. Alone. With that special voice of hers. I broke down and cried. She is such a fantastic actress! The depth she gives to this, already great song, gives me goosebumps, everytime I hear it.
My goodness, I have always been smitten with Dame Judy. Love her to bits!
Sings it with a passion it's like her talking about her life showing such feelings in the words
Love her as an actress, but she does the same singing, gorgeous!
yes and listen also to Sara Vaughan
Potigirls I
Matra Simca This isn't suppose to be a " singing"performance per se but a persons interpetive prespective of the song.And it is beautifully done.Captures the meaning of the song to perfection.Dame Judi Dench's version is Shakespearean.Cuts like a knife....
Matra Simca Oh, you're so funny.NOT.First, no I'm not British...second maybe you should do some research on the song written by Sondheim.The original artist was Glynis Johns , he wrote the song for her for a play "A Little Night Music"..clearly you don't have the slightest comprehension of theater, or art and all your taste is in your vulgar big mouth.You probably think the song is about a circus...duh.
Matra Simca...what a phony ....You are wrong he wrote the song in 2 days for Glynis Johns.I'm not going to get into an argument and dog Collins ...hers is a beautiful "SINGING VERSION" of the song.Listen to Johns, Elizabeth Taylor, J.Dench...they are "ACTING" the song.Give it a rest, you're getting to be a BORING pest now.Funny how people fill theatres to see this play and how many positive comments there are.But of course with your superior knowledge of all things I guess we're suppose to kiss your ass and say you're ABSOLUTELY right, an be grateful for sharing your expert opinion so eloquently and with such class.Be careful when it rains, cos' your nose is so high up in the air....you may drown.Really? Dream on.
Judy Dench and her powerfully moving delivery of Send in the Clowns. Beautiful.
She's a wonderful lady so perfect
Cold song...Hello friend...How are you doing today?
She can wring so much emotion with each word, with each pause. So empathetic and human. So much talent. So many feels. I love this.
I had the great pleasure of interviewing both Judi Dench and Stephen Sondheim when I worked in London's West Theatre. Theatres will be dark this weekend as a mark of respect following the news that Stephen Sondheim died this evening, age 91.
Her straining voice cords made her sound like a heartbroken women and it brought tears to my eyes.
Singing a song is so much more than just vibratos and belting.
I come back to this every few months and each time I'm still in awe. The quintessential performer of this song, understanding what Sondheim intended.
What a beautiful performance.
Some of the people commenting here should realize that singing is not always about hitting all the right notes, or vocal acrobatics, or belting. Dame Judy was absolutely on point with this performance. She wasn't off-key, and she conveyed emotions through her voice perfectly.
This is exactly what is said about someone who can't sing. Apparently everything else matters all of a sudden.
@@bubbles6853 When a song is genuinely sad, you want to hear the singer cracking. You've heard of blue notes too, right?
after 5 years i don't care about this topic@@dMGraymusic
The surge of emotion I felt on "don't bother" was hard! That anger and sadness was real in that phrase
Absolutely gorgeous..Heart wrenching music and words..My favorite actress!!
Love Judi and her infinite character. She gives such expression to this sensitive song.
My favorite version of one of my favorite Sondheim songs. Thank you, Dame Judy.
This song always breaks me but this rendition is absolutely beautiful and so genuine. She’s a Dame for a good damn reason!
I didn't know she sang!! Love it!
She originally was supposed to be in Cats (Memories)
Judi actually started in caberet when young she does theater every couple years that is her love. The theater
There are a group of us that follow her from usa. Some of us have met her.saying how lovely she is to her fans.
Bluedolphingirl01 it matters not how often I listen to this song, as it never grows old. Her sincerity of singing this song is what haunts your memory to play it again. Love the song and love Dame Judi as this dong belongs to her and no one will ever take it away.
This is pure magic
This performance is exquisite. Never fails to move me and choke me up
well this is what singing a musical theatre song supposed to be. not hitting the notes perfectly or as they are written. saying the words however you feel. bravo
.
Obviously that's not what i meant but anyway. I think being uptight about art is stupid and just stands in front of creativity of especially singers. Songs are not belong to the composers but to the singer once they are being performed. I strongly believe that's what makes opera feel ancient rather than classical most of the times. Blindfold commitment to the standardized execusions.
Most agreed!
muge oskay I would rather have emotion than perfect musicianship any day.
,
She understands the specificity of musical theatre. She’s an ennobling force for theatrical arts. What a blessing she is. And how deeply she should be applauded.
Oh my lord. Now I understand this song. Wonderful proformance.
An article honoring Sondheim mentioned to check this performance out and so glad I did. Lovely and now sobbing. Gosh I love that song and her perform was spot on.