these two seem to be experimenting with an idea that I don't think I've ever seen before; Mrs. Lovett being actually kind of afraid of Todd. There's an intensity in how Sweeny always seems to gesture and make contact with his razor, and Thompson almost seems to bring a sense of panic to her lines. Fascinating take.
It makes sense given the performers and the story circumstances. Todd is insane by this point, while Lovett is evil but rational. If you were someone the size of Emma Thompson trying to manipulate a lunatic the size of Terfel you'd be a little scared too.
I think part of it is also intensified in this particular song because Emma is trying SO hard not to break character and burst into laughter at every line
it’s my favourite interpretation of the character i’ve ever seen. something about lovett having moments of fear and trying to fix the situations they’ve put themselves in while also placating todd and his anger just brings more humanity to the piece.
Agreed all around on Emma’s fresh (and phenomenal) take on Lovett….Have to say though….This Todd just isn’t doing it for me. It feels like Hollywood royalty got thrown onto a stage with the janitor coz the actor fell ill and they couldn’t find a replacement. Maybe just me tho but there seems to be a huge difference in the level of quality of their performances
I love their harmonies in this song. They’re so off putting and unsettling, something rarely done in musicals. The music is amazingly written, allowing the actors to act as if this is a conversation. The dark subject matter translates perfectly when contrasted with the beautiful music to tell such a brutal story.
I don't know if it was intentional, but when Sweeney gets what Mrs. Lovett is saying, he looks positively entranced like he could kiss her on the spot.
@@vic2958 Then again i was lucky enough to see the original cast and production. I know what Sweeney was supposed to be and what it was. Burton’s take on it was about as good as his Planet of the Apes and Dumbo remakes. Kinda superficial. I m sorry, i love Nightmare before Christmas and Ed Wood, and PeeWee’s big adventure. But just putting soot on everything didn’t make a compelling movie for me. And he cut out half (at least) of a perfect score….was an amputated Sweeney at best.
This is one of the few performances that ever convinced me that Sweeney and Lovett could actually have been happy together (others being Depp/Carter and Hearn/LuPone.) I'm especially impressed with Emma Thompson. Didn't even know she could sing.
I just love the way he asks “is it really good?” 🤩 Thompson is hilarious. I love the way she’s actually a bit scared of him, like when he touches her hand with his razor. And I love the way Terfel really, really uses the razor in gestures, like it is part of his arm.
I had no idea there was a theatrical version of Sweeney Todd? I'm again blown away byDame Emma Thompson's talent, she's just so phenomenal. This lady can do anything! (Bryn Terfel is great too, of course. )
What? Sweeney has been around as a play for a loooong time, lassie. I recommend you check out Pamela Lansbury, Patti LuPone and Imelda Staunton's performances, they're EVERYTHING, each in their own way.
The original stage version was way back in 1979 and starred Angela Lansbury as Mrs. Lovett and Len Cariou as Sweeney. It's incredible and you can listen to the cast recording on Spotify. There's actually a filmed performance with much of that original cast (including Lansbury but with George Hearn as Sweeney) and it's available on DVD. Check it out, it's absolutely brilliant. The performance this was taken from, with Bryn Terfel and Emma Thompson, was also really, really fun, but I don't think it's available for purchase. It does show up, from time to time, on TH-cam though if you look around...
I can push this back eveb farther than Angela. Before the musical, it was a small town vaudeville play, and I actually saw it performed in Colorado at a dinner theater in the late 60s or early 70s. The only things. similar to this was Sweeney the Barber and his chair, which dropped customers down through the floor. Before that, it was "The String of Pearls," a Victorian novel about your basic poor girl whose dowry, the pearls, disappears in London along with the courier. She hires a detective, who after a long Dickensian search, traces the courier to the shop of one Sweeney Todd and thence to Mrs. Lovett. Oops.
I love this version of this song, which is very different than the movie version. More verses, played for laughs. And the actors/ singers pull the best faces. Especially Emma Thompson, who I didn’t think would make it though the song without busting into hysterical laughter. I love the movie version, but it feels different seeing two people backed by an orchestra not being directed to play it straightforward. I wonder if they rehearsed it the way they sang it on stage.
Thompsons delivery of "has...had... has" has got to be my favorite of any Lovett ever. The performance as a whole is pretty good but that one moment she just knocked out of the park
Thompson's face after the line about "with or without his privates" when she's aware that she maybe went just a little too far and she's like "we're all just having fun here, right? right?" cracked me up
@@cameronhodgetts920 manual labor, yes. But you can be sure they weren't feeding him pre and post-workout protein shakes. As I said, man... Lean and mean
I personally I prefer Johnny Depp as Sweeney Todd but that’s jus my opinion coz I saw the Sweeney Todd Movie with Johnny Depp as Sweeney before I saw any of these or the original.
Terfel is bad in this scene. Musically poor, lost pitch completely, and nothing happening. Like he's waiting for the bus as opposed to going full on psychopath. Thompson is literally carrying this entire scene.
What I love about Emma Thompson’s portrayal is how she keeps chuckling at her own jokes. It just sells the humour a lot more.
First time I’ve heard an audience laugh at ‘whatshisname has… had…? … has’
I feel like that line gets slept on, it makes me chuckle every time
I think they were laughing more at her expressions than the actual line.
The delivery was beautiful
I believe it's Emma's fault she is really funny so...
She made EXCELLENT choices there. So clear, concise and deliberate….but not too distractingly big. Just brilliant.
these two seem to be experimenting with an idea that I don't think I've ever seen before; Mrs. Lovett being actually kind of afraid of Todd. There's an intensity in how Sweeny always seems to gesture and make contact with his razor, and Thompson almost seems to bring a sense of panic to her lines. Fascinating take.
It makes sense given the performers and the story circumstances. Todd is insane by this point, while Lovett is evil but rational. If you were someone the size of Emma Thompson trying to manipulate a lunatic the size of Terfel you'd be a little scared too.
I've seen it in at least one production, where Mrs. Lovett's "Well that's all very well" sounded truly disturbed.
I think part of it is also intensified in this particular song because Emma is trying SO hard not to break character and burst into laughter at every line
it’s my favourite interpretation of the character i’ve ever seen. something about lovett having moments of fear and trying to fix the situations they’ve put themselves in while also placating todd and his anger just brings more humanity to the piece.
Agreed all around on Emma’s fresh (and phenomenal) take on Lovett….Have to say though….This Todd just isn’t doing it for me. It feels like Hollywood royalty got thrown onto a stage with the janitor coz the actor fell ill and they couldn’t find a replacement. Maybe just me tho but there seems to be a huge difference in the level of quality of their performances
I love their harmonies in this song. They’re so off putting and unsettling, something rarely done in musicals. The music is amazingly written, allowing the actors to act as if this is a conversation. The dark subject matter translates perfectly when contrasted with the beautiful music to tell such a brutal story.
Ok but this is the funniest rendition and so underrated
Watched it 5 times today already
No its not the funniest rendition. Angela Lansbury and George Hearn is the funniest
I was dying at the "Good, You Got It" comedic pause.
I don't know if it was intentional, but when Sweeney gets what Mrs. Lovett is saying, he looks positively entranced like he could kiss her on the spot.
Her delivery of “has-had-has” is perfect
Emma Thompson goes head to head with Sir Bryn Terfel and matches him!! This quite incredible!!
I just love love love love Emma Thomason’s Mrs.Lovett. She is just so much fun.
Queen Emma conquers the stage. She is truly one of the very best talents of my generation. Her timing… perfection
For some reason, Harry Potter cast members make great Mrs. Lovetts
Dont forget Alan Rickman as Turpin or Timothy Spall as Beadle Bamford
Sorry, but that is one part Helena Bonham fumbled on. Can't forgive Tim Burton for that one, bad movie, major crime.
@@palmereldritch7777 to you, it’s mostly well liked and loved.
@@vic2958 Then again i was lucky enough to see the original cast and production. I know what Sweeney was supposed to be and what it was. Burton’s take on it was about as good as his Planet of the Apes and Dumbo remakes. Kinda superficial. I m sorry, i love Nightmare before Christmas and Ed Wood, and PeeWee’s big adventure. But just putting soot on everything didn’t make a compelling movie for me. And he cut out half (at least) of a perfect score….was an amputated Sweeney at best.
@@palmereldritch7777 again i’m not saying your opinion is wrong because it’s your opinion. I’m saying it was well received and well loved.
This is one of the few performances that ever convinced me that Sweeney and Lovett could actually have been happy together (others being Depp/Carter and Hearn/LuPone.) I'm especially impressed with Emma Thompson. Didn't even know she could sing.
I just love the way he asks “is it really good?” 🤩 Thompson is hilarious. I love the way she’s actually a bit scared of him, like when he touches her hand with his razor. And I love the way Terfel really, really uses the razor in gestures, like it is part of his arm.
it's almost like... his arm is complete again? 🙈😂 but it is really cool to see
Emma Thompson as Mrs. Lovett is quite simply a revelation! What a wonderful portrayal. Bryan Terfel as Sweeney Todd magnificent!
1:16 business needs a ✨l i f t ✨
Debts to be ✨erased✨
Damn, I genuinely got goosebumps during this.
This has got to be the best Sweeney Todd performance I've ever seen.
Best! Wonderful comedic talent from Dame Emma, and great counterplay from Sir Bryn
Emma Thompson can play any role and I will watch it!
Emma has a great singing voice.
Where's she been hiding it all this time?
At Hogwarts
Her choices on the Beadle bit are absolutely incredible. 5:52 what nuance!!! The whimsical ruthlessness. Terrific. Their chemistry is perfection.
I didn't think I could love Emma Thompson more than I did already.. Wish I could see the whole performance.
Had no idea Emma was a BEAST of a singer. Best version of this duet.
I had no idea there was a theatrical version of Sweeney Todd?
I'm again blown away byDame Emma Thompson's talent, she's just so phenomenal. This lady can do anything! (Bryn Terfel is great too, of course. )
What? Sweeney has been around as a play for a loooong time, lassie. I recommend you check out Pamela Lansbury, Patti LuPone and Imelda Staunton's performances, they're EVERYTHING, each in their own way.
The original stage version was way back in 1979 and starred Angela Lansbury as Mrs. Lovett and Len Cariou as Sweeney. It's incredible and you can listen to the cast recording on Spotify.
There's actually a filmed performance with much of that original cast (including Lansbury but with George Hearn as Sweeney) and it's available on DVD. Check it out, it's absolutely brilliant.
The performance this was taken from, with Bryn Terfel and Emma Thompson, was also really, really fun, but I don't think it's available for purchase. It does show up, from time to time, on TH-cam though if you look around...
It started out as one, and what's even better, Mrs. Lovett is played by Angela Lansbury, who is Mrs. potts in Beauty anf the Beast
*_WOW! Have you been living under a rock and not know this Sondheim Classic was/is a musical play?_*
I can push this back eveb farther than Angela. Before the musical, it was a small town vaudeville play, and I actually saw it performed in Colorado at a dinner theater in the late 60s or early 70s. The only things. similar to this was Sweeney the Barber and his chair, which dropped customers down through the floor. Before that, it was "The String of Pearls," a Victorian novel about your basic poor girl whose dowry, the pearls, disappears in London along with the courier. She hires a detective, who after a long Dickensian search, traces the courier to the shop of one Sweeney Todd and thence to Mrs. Lovett. Oops.
Such a slept on production. So much fun going on here
Who knew cannibalism could be so delightful!
What a pair though, eh?
I love this version of this song, which is very different than the movie version. More verses, played for laughs. And the actors/ singers pull the best faces. Especially Emma Thompson, who I didn’t think would make it though the song without busting into hysterical laughter. I love the movie version, but it feels different seeing two people backed by an orchestra not being directed to play it straightforward. I wonder if they rehearsed it the way they sang it on stage.
Watch the imelda staunton and Micheal ball version
This song is so light-hearted and funny...until you realize what they're *actually* singing about. Then, you get a chill down your spine.
I know this song by heart.
This was a fun concert, and remember when watching it originally was how great Bryn was as Sweeney.
What a wonderful surprise. I had no idea she had done this part. She's wonderful!
Thompsons delivery of "has...had... has" has got to be my favorite of any Lovett ever. The performance as a whole is pretty good but that one moment she just knocked out of the park
I saw this production on tv and absolutely loved it!
I've only just discovered this. Omg I didn't know she could sing. What a combination of these two. The person who put these 2 together is a genius.
Emma is amazing in this role!
A fave versions! When they knock the musical stands down! Yes!!❤
Thompson's face after the line about "with or without his privates" when she's aware that she maybe went just a little too far and she's like "we're all just having fun here, right? right?" cracked me up
I love Emma Thompson.
She's excellent as Mrs Lovett
I believe this is my favorite little priest interpretation
Never hears Emma sing before - a very good Mrs. Lovett
I love this song!
I just love her ❤
This Sweeney is great
I'm not a huge fan of Terfel, even though he's a great singer. Thompson, however, can sing really well and her acting is astonishing.
I love Emma
Thompson is amazing
Terfel seems too.... Beefy? Todd would have been gaunt, lean and mean, I'd think. That's what feels off to me, though as you say, he's a great singer
@@sharonangelina5 it's a good point, but also Todd would have been doing manual labour in Australia for 15 years so idk
@@cameronhodgetts920 manual labor, yes. But you can be sure they weren't feeding him pre and post-workout protein shakes. As I said, man... Lean and mean
A brilliant portrayal of Mrs lovett.
Wow... Emma Thompson 👍
it has been too long since I have heard the voice of Bryn Terfel.
Never knew Emma Thompson sang so well
Perfection 👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻
Most excellent
I love this!!!
"...LOCKSMITH." im in tears
just adorable! of course he too 😉
Seems Sweeney Todd would do anything for love... but he won't do that.
Cockney Emma Thompson is hysterical to watch XD XD
Brilliant
They need to bring them back to sweeney todd
The little sequence that starts at@7:00 is hilarious.
I feel so sorry for the people who only know this masterwork from the watered down movie version with Johnny Depp and Helena Bonham Carter.
Emma Thompson struggling not to laugh after saying "without his privates"
My favorite part is about the general with or without his privates! Lol
7:03 OMG does he break character here?!
I clicked because I thought Meat Loaf was Sweeney Todd lmao
That'd be sick.
It would be quite the reversal from rocky horror
Bryn was a truly menacing Sweeney. He and Emma were wonderful together.
How did they keep a straight face 😅
Not really a good singer in this one, but I LOVE her little chuckles xD
I don't understand, they are seriously amazing
Bryn should do Phantom
Tenor role not bass
@@WelahHomo87 bass’s have done the role, and Bryn range goes up to G4
@@leonardowilson7709 really wouldn't suit him. His voice isn't expressive enough. Phantom goes up to Ab5 in music of the night and other sections
@@WelahHomo87 they can always transpose the score if need be. They have done it for past phantoms
@@WelahHomo87 I believe you mean Ab4. Ab5 would be high even for a woman.
Emma's chewing the fucking curtains off the scenery.
Dear God I thought I'd seen the worst Todd. How did Emma Thompson get stuck with him?
Cannibalism in musical form.
Why does this Sweeney Todd cut all of his notes short? Seems like he doesnt want to hold a note... hurts the song.
IMO Timothy Nolen should’ve done the role of Sweeney in this production. He’s the greatest sweeney
I personally I prefer Johnny Depp as Sweeney Todd but that’s jus my opinion coz I saw the Sweeney Todd Movie with Johnny Depp as Sweeney before I saw any of these or the original.
Emma stole the show right out from under Bryn.
She's sublime and milks the comedy-and her vocal skills are incredibly unsung-if you'll excuse the pun...
poor emma. she didnt learn soon enough that just because someone asks you to do it... doesnt mean you should.
Terfel is bad in this scene. Musically poor, lost pitch completely, and nothing happening. Like he's waiting for the bus as opposed to going full on psychopath. Thompson is literally carrying this entire scene.
Mmm their singing in subpar