The thing I like about Pat Routledge's portrayal is that she's strong enough as both a singer and an actress that Rex can go at full throttle. I have heard the recording with Estelle Parsons as Ruth and seen the movie with Angela Lansbury. Rex's voice was too strong for both of them, so he had to pull back. Not so here. I'm only sorry Routledge couldn't stay for the Broadway production.
Yes, she's a really good singer. The amusing thing is that Hyacinth Bucket (pronounced Boo-Kay) was a terrible singer, even if Patricia herself is very talented.
But then I suppose that's what makes her so good - the fact that she was able to PRETEND that she couldn't sing, and do it so well!
@DoubleOhSammy What you mentioned about Hyacinth Bucket being a terrible singer. It reminded me of a comedy album from the 1950s, I think, in which Jo Stafford and Paul Weston camped it up as a married lounge lizard couple named Jonathan and Darlene Edwards. It was a tribute to them -- as it is to Pat Routledge -- how good you have to be to be deliberately bad for comedic effect.
Patricia Routledge is a legend of the British and American stage. As superb as she is on "Keeping Up Appearances," the theater is where she truly shines. What a treasure. She was director Hal Prince's choice for the original production of "Sweeney Todd" but she wasn't interested in the role.
A majority of the principal characters from this Central Park production played their parts in the movie. Some changes that I recall are Angela Lansbury taking the part of Ruth (instead of Patricia Rutledge) and the part of Samuel was also given to a different actor.
if patricia dies (heaven forbid) i'll wear black for week.
MightyAris92 5 days ago
i love rex smith's voice!! its beautiful
IluvKenji 1 year ago
Although the acting is good his American accent ruins this song, really needs to work on those vowels.
davidgoodman85 1 year ago
Patricia and Rex are a great team!
showtunestarpower 1 year ago
The thing I like about Pat Routledge's portrayal is that she's strong enough as both a singer and an actress that Rex can go at full throttle. I have heard the recording with Estelle Parsons as Ruth and seen the movie with Angela Lansbury. Rex's voice was too strong for both of them, so he had to pull back. Not so here. I'm only sorry Routledge couldn't stay for the Broadway production.
wkyken 1 year ago
I love their voices!
AlyTheOveracheiver 2 years ago 2
Ahh, mrs. Bucket.......
RIORDENATO 3 years ago 6
Yes, she's a really good singer. The amusing thing is that Hyacinth Bucket (pronounced Boo-Kay) was a terrible singer, even if Patricia herself is very talented.
But then I suppose that's what makes her so good - the fact that she was able to PRETEND that she couldn't sing, and do it so well!
DoubleOhSammy 2 years ago
@DoubleOhSammy What you mentioned about Hyacinth Bucket being a terrible singer. It reminded me of a comedy album from the 1950s, I think, in which Jo Stafford and Paul Weston camped it up as a married lounge lizard couple named Jonathan and Darlene Edwards. It was a tribute to them -- as it is to Pat Routledge -- how good you have to be to be deliberately bad for comedic effect.
wkyken 1 year ago
@DoubleOhSammy - true, and even when she was pretending to be a bad singer, you could still hear the power and quality of her singing voice.
expatbritingermany 1 year ago
I love it, she makes an awesome ruth and angela lansbury is a good one too...
rex smith is awesome and so is kevin kline. it is just an awesome cast.
singingheart32 3 years ago 5
Rex Rex, Rex. What do we have to do with you man? You're to amazing to be in this and to be a pirate. :)
MichaelCrawfordsFan 3 years ago
haha dude I agree!! he's fricken amazing! he should be the phantom of the opera or something bigger than Gilbewrt and Sullivan.
Thriller94 2 years ago
shes good as Ruth...
master0rolando 3 years ago 2
Patricia Routledge is a legend of the British and American stage. As superb as she is on "Keeping Up Appearances," the theater is where she truly shines. What a treasure. She was director Hal Prince's choice for the original production of "Sweeney Todd" but she wasn't interested in the role.
UncleCharlieOakley 3 years ago 3
Id not known that Patricia had the chance to do Sweeny Todd.Did she ever do the part in any production?
newrochellephoenix 3 years ago
I would LOVE to see that!
shauninfl28 2 years ago
whoa whos playinf ruth in this shes absolutely fabulus as her!!!
bellaswan89642 3 years ago
that guy played frederic in the movie too
peteribored777 4 years ago
A majority of the principal characters from this Central Park production played their parts in the movie. Some changes that I recall are Angela Lansbury taking the part of Ruth (instead of Patricia Rutledge) and the part of Samuel was also given to a different actor.
stryker5889 3 years ago
I forget the name of the actor, but the role of Samuel was sung by Gus the Theatre Cat (American Cast) in the 1983 film.
adknorth 2 years ago
Do you mean John Mills??????
SingularSuperNinja 2 years ago
WOW!!!! Is that Hyacinth Bucket??!
kowh 4 years ago 4
Yes, it definitely is. I believe she was about 51 when this was recorded.
ThePenzancePirate 4 years ago