Sweeney Todd Rare 1980 South Bank Show Doc-London Cast 1/10

This is from a Rare Southbank Show Special documentary.I don't know if it ever aired.It was made to precede the arrival of the first ever British production of ST in 1980-81.The highlights are large sections of Stephen Sondheim himself discussing the writing of the show from the piano at his home.He details and plays many of the numbers from the score!The Original Director Hal Prince is Featured throughout as well.The London Sweeney is Denis Quilley,and Mrs.Lovett is Played by Sheila Hancock.The Playwright Christopher Bond is also on hand.Enjoy.

Category:

Entertainment

Tags:

• Sweeney
• Todd
• Johnny
• Depp
• Tim
• Burton
• Stephen
• Sondheim

[nolubay]

You are all welcome,it was my pleasure.

[nolubay]

Part two is above in Video Responses.

[AtLastOnTheGround]

Wow. This just further confirms my theory that Stephen Sondheim isn't a human, he's a god. Of music.

GENIUS!

[oohcool]

THe factory is because of the time it take splace in, and the "Cube" is mrs. lovett's shop, and his room.

Spectalce is a huge part of theatre, and wouldn't have lasted without it.

[1stJJ]

Lovely to see Oz Clarke at the top of the show

[fountainchain126]

@misscleo3861 You're right about the chamber approach. Sondheim was very pleased with the 1994 London revival of the show at the National Theatre for which the director and designer took the more chamber, intimate approach. The organ (used for the opening prelude) was also added to the orchestral arrangements for the rest of the score which is amazing.

[michaelburling]

I was at this special performance at Drury Lane for LWT's filming of the piece. From what I remember the staging worked wonderfully well - I think you had to see it for yourself to appreciate it.

[GWStreicher]

This is awesome!

[christinedaae87]

omg yeh your right!! lol i love this show and hal prince what a legend!!! xxx

[tekato71]

I don't need to research something to find it pretentious, just my opinion. As for Sondheim being "The Master" that's your opinion and not everyone is going to agree with that. I accept your explanation on how the staging came about but I still find it chaotic and a little confusing.

[misscleo3861]

The original staging of the show doesn't reflect Sondheim's original conception, which was as a small and creepy chamber musical. According to Sondheim, Hal Prince needed something more to hook his own interest in directing it, and decided to have it partially be a comment on the effect of the Industrial Revolution on the society (hence the factory whistle and the foundry setting). Do some research before you right off the Master as being pretentious.

[scotchguru]

Listen to the piano at minute 3:00. I swear it sounds like masquerade from Phantom.

[ImperfectlyPerfect2]

THANK YOU! This is gold.