Tales attended
On Saturday evening I was lucky enough to see Sweeney Todd at the Adelphi Theatre in the Strand. We had tickets in the extremely precipitous upper circle. Even from way up there in the realm of the gods* sound and vision were good. It was wonderful to attend a live performance of the darkly humorous, chillingly discordant Sondheim musical I came to know and love so well prior to the Tim Burton film - and with Michael Ball in the eponymous role, excellence was expected and duly delivered. Imelda Staunton was absolutely superb as Mrs Lovett, more than holding her own opposite her Mr T. The rest of the cast were also very, very good - Robert Burt in his comic turn as Pirelli definitely channelling the Go Compare man. The entire show is slickly professional, and such energy is expended by all that I cannot imaging how they manage to perform day after day - twice on both Wednesdays and Saturdays.
I am pleased to say that unlike the gushing Burton bloodbath, there was really very little of the red stuff to be seen - at least from where we were sitting in the cheapest seats. If money was no object I'd be more than happy to see it again from closer to the stage - but as that is unlikely to happen I shall have to content myself with my dvd of Depp and Co. Times is hard... even harder than the worst pies in London. :-) Actually, the Burton movie stands up very well in comparison to the full stage version. That film casting was a dream come true and the singing entirely creditable throughout. Here's a sample for old time's sake:
*Talking of the gods, also managed to fit in a matinée revisit to the taut, tension-building tragedy Antigone at the National. All concerned played their parts with perhaps even more conviction on this occasion, thus the experience more intense overall than previously. A cautionary tale if ever there was one regarding the follies of man.
P.S. New Michael Grandage (ex director of the Donmar) season announced at the Noel Coward Theatre http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/entertainment-arts-18454997 which all looks very exciting. Have bought a £10 ticket to see Jude Law as Henry V in November 2013. It's a long way off but worth a punt at that price! :-))
Click to viewI am pleased to say that unlike the gushing Burton bloodbath, there was really very little of the red stuff to be seen - at least from where we were sitting in the cheapest seats. If money was no object I'd be more than happy to see it again from closer to the stage - but as that is unlikely to happen I shall have to content myself with my dvd of Depp and Co. Times is hard... even harder than the worst pies in London. :-) Actually, the Burton movie stands up very well in comparison to the full stage version. That film casting was a dream come true and the singing entirely creditable throughout. Here's a sample for old time's sake:
*Talking of the gods, also managed to fit in a matinée revisit to the taut, tension-building tragedy Antigone at the National. All concerned played their parts with perhaps even more conviction on this occasion, thus the experience more intense overall than previously. A cautionary tale if ever there was one regarding the follies of man.
P.S. New Michael Grandage (ex director of the Donmar) season announced at the Noel Coward Theatre http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/entertainment-arts-18454997 which all looks very exciting. Have bought a £10 ticket to see Jude Law as Henry V in November 2013. It's a long way off but worth a punt at that price! :-))