James Lapine (Sondheim's co-creator on this musical and two others) wrote an interesting 2021 book about the creation of this show titled "Putting it Together".
This man had vision into places magnificant.. Above all, almost perfect craftsmanship like a diamond cutter. He can be written down and taught to others. He is a Cantor.
Sondheim's discussion about the "button" to a scene starting at 38:10 after "Finishing the Hat" is so enlightening. About giving the audience a "cue" to applaud, and engaging their attention even closer for whatever is next. I could listen to him talk about theater devices all days long.
Have you read his books on his own lyrics? He writes about how "Epiphany" in _Sweeney Todd_ was always a problem because the audience so wanted to applaud Cariou/Hearn/Quilley for his performance that they weren't fully listening to what followed - and what follows is crucial to the plot. On the other hand, if they did applaud, some of the tension was lost and the comedy of the following number didn't land quite as solidly. He never really found a solution to the problem and consequently published the score with both endings to the song.
Sondheim's recalling the lesson he got from Oscar during "Rose's Turn", where Oscar said to the writers they needed the audience to release their applause otherwise they won't be listening to the last 2 pages of dialogue.
Very touching to hear Sondheim talking about posterity (around 43.30 onwards). I don't think there is much doubt that the great man's work will survive and give enormous pleasure to future generations
@@williamgardiner2010 I’m sorry - but I even double checked the Cast Album Database-if such a recording exists it’s a bootleg and not an official recording.
im not even trying to hate but these performances only made me realize just how amazing Bernadette and Mandy were. They come off here as flaccid and unconvincing.
I saw this production. The only thing that didn't really work for me was the mixed-media performance art piece in the second act. I could see what they were trying to do, but it just seemed to hold up the action. Everything else about it was superb, especially Maria Friedman as Dot.
This is such a great find! Thank you for sharing! That's 2 programmes i've seen on the London Sunday, in a month. when there has been so little about the production available. I love the moment at 27.42 with Nicolas Colicos and Clare Burt(?) learning Putting it Together. Full details about the originalOmnibus episode can be found here: www.paleycenter.org/collection/item/?q=john&p=747&item=T:59528
I wish he could have lived forever.....
James Lapine (Sondheim's co-creator on this musical and two others) wrote an interesting 2021 book about the creation of this show titled "Putting it Together".
Watching this and tearing up, which is basically what happens whenever the great man opens his mouth and speaks. Happy birthday to Sondheim indeed.
Phenomenal documentary! Loved listening to Stephen Sondheim explain his process and watching the actors rehearse! He was so brilliant!
This man had vision into places magnificant.. Above all, almost perfect craftsmanship like a diamond cutter. He can be written down and taught to others. He is a Cantor.
Sondheim's discussion about the "button" to a scene starting at 38:10 after "Finishing the Hat" is so enlightening. About giving the audience a "cue" to applaud, and engaging their attention even closer for whatever is next. I could listen to him talk about theater devices all days long.
Have you read his books on his own lyrics? He writes about how "Epiphany" in _Sweeney Todd_ was always a problem because the audience so wanted to applaud Cariou/Hearn/Quilley for his performance that they weren't fully listening to what followed - and what follows is crucial to the plot. On the other hand, if they did applaud, some of the tension was lost and the comedy of the following number didn't land quite as solidly. He never really found a solution to the problem and consequently published the score with both endings to the song.
Sondheim's recalling the lesson he got from Oscar during "Rose's Turn", where Oscar said to the writers they needed the audience to release their applause otherwise they won't be listening to the last 2 pages of dialogue.
Thank you for sharing!! I could listen to Mr. Sondheim talking about his art forever. What a gem!
Very touching to hear Sondheim talking about posterity (around 43.30 onwards).
I don't think there is much doubt that the great man's work will survive and give enormous pleasure to future generations
This is my favourite TH-cam channel. Happy birthday Steve!!!
Thanks for this upload. What I wouldn't give to see the entirety of those Sondheim lectures.
I didn't remember, from seeing the show back then, how much Philip Quast imitated Mandy Patinkin as George.
I don't hear that at all. Maybe in the very first opening line, but definitely not after that.
@@DDTC73 I do.
I hear it, especially in Finishing the Hat.
They have similarities in timbre, but Quast is a much more well rounded singer.
Quast’s vibrato always drives me batty…
An enlightened man in so many ways - what a gift to musical theatre and for us!
Infuriating that this cast wasn’t recorded. Still my favourite version
Thank you for the wonderful gift on a special day. Your shares are always amazing and so appreciated.
Thanks for this. It's almost the story of Echo and Narcissus. George in love with painting and her with him who isn't that emotionally available.
this is quite a great posting---nice to see it being put together. Saw this production when it came to NYC. Thanks for this,
correction---it wasn't this production....my bad...it was the 2006 production....
If I was just listening and not looking I would think it was Mandy singing.
I would have love a cast recording with Quast! Thank you so much for posting!
It's available. Original London Cast Recording, National Theatre/
@@williamgardiner2010 I’m sorry - but I even double checked the Cast Album Database-if such a recording exists it’s a bootleg and not an official recording.
@@williamgardiner2010 There is no London cast recording
@@williamgardiner2010 Nope. The only London recording is the revival.
No one understood art like Sondheim!
im not even trying to hate but these performances only made me realize just how amazing Bernadette and Mandy were. They come off here as flaccid and unconvincing.
Philip Quast is perfect, as always!
This was an intensely moving production
The guy who plays George sure sounds like Mandy Patinkin.
Unfortunately too much so..
I saw this production. The only thing that didn't really work for me was the mixed-media performance art piece in the second act. I could see what they were trying to do, but it just seemed to hold up the action.
Everything else about it was superb, especially Maria Friedman as Dot.
'I did what I had to do'
'What am I to do?'
'Move on...'
Leuke parasol / paraplu !
This is such a great find! Thank you for sharing! That's 2 programmes i've seen on the London Sunday, in a month. when there has been so little about the production available. I love the moment at 27.42 with Nicolas Colicos and Clare Burt(?) learning Putting it Together.
Full details about the originalOmnibus episode can be found here:
www.paleycenter.org/collection/item/?q=john&p=747&item=T:59528
Those students were incredibly lucky.
Oh god, 38:02 Steve’s face. What was he really thinking at that moment?
45:41
"We've learnt that it's going to be bloody hard work."
Ha, there's always one of those people.
It’s weird how they changed little phrase or words in the songs yet in recent revivals the words are the original
18:38 says a lot.
Not quite sure director and writers were quite on the same white page in this production; but super human performances from the cast.
Brilliant brilliant brilliant. Thank you for uploading and sharing this wonderful video. Do you know if his full Oxford lectures were ever recorded?
Not that I know of but there will be something from Oxford here soon.
Does anyone know who is narrating here?