Here's Petula Clark as the West End's 4th Norma in Andrew Loyd Webber's Sunset Blvd. She's not my favorite Norma but the quality is really good so I'm posting this for her fans. Enjoy!
I'm glad to see all the positive comments and love for Petula. I think she is just as good as all the other actresses who played this role. She often gets unfair criticism in these threads. Love her! ❤️
What a wonderful, original performance Petula Clark gives. How I wish I had seen her. It's hard to believe that the young woman who gave us DOWN TOWN and DON'T SLEEP ON THE SUBWAYS could also give us such a profoundly moving Norma Desmond. I love the vulnerability and sadness she finds in this character. Beautiful!
She was wonderful and is quite an actress. Check out her work on Blood Brothers too, if you can find any videos. Also, to the person saying that she was known for being awful, you are mistaken. She has actually played the role more than anyone and Andrew Lloyd Webber would not have allowed unless he approved and loved her performance.
@@philipedwards1223 she did not extend the run. She finished her contract without extention, leaving briefly for a pre-planned vacation where she was covered by Rita Moreno. After she came back from that break she finished the remaining run of the show. That being said, pf the original london Norma's she was the weakest by far. Moreno flub ed likes nightly and still managed to produce a cohesive character. Petula Clark was never in the same league with Patti LuPone, Betty Buckley, or Elaine Paige so I won't even waste my time trying to make a comparison there
I saw Ms Clark on her America tour in Va late 90s - she was truly amazing and incredible - her live performances exceesed all others So honored to have been there that night
To me, it is so annoying that most of us mortals will never see these great shows and the performers at their best. Many thanks for filming this snippit for me and all her other followers.
I have always been a Petula fan ever since high school when America was exposed to her as one of the many artists of the "British Invasion". Yes, I am talking about the early 60's. I actually still have every LP Album she released and a whole collection of every CD released. She was a talent to treasure.
She does certain things really good in this show >her version of the Perfect Year is beautiful. I dont think she is the perfect fit for Norma but she certainly is a great performer.
I’ve just watched Patty Lupone on TH-cam with this song. This version by Petula Clark is acted and sung so much better, way better. And I love Petula’s “and this time will be BIGGER”; gives me goosebumps everytime I hear it. So strong! I’m glad to have seen this production in the theatre in London!
I had a chance to see Miss Pet three times in the US National Tour: 98, 99 and 00. Allthough she was a credible Norma, I thought she was a little too comedic in her interpretation...not "dark" enough. But that's just one opinion as I saw it.
I saw Petula do this show and it almost seemed like she was doing a parody and didn’t take it seriously. It was if she had watched Carol Burnett’s interpretation a few too many times. Additionally, she didn’t have the vocal fortitude for the part. So far, I’ve seen Diane Carol, Patty LuPone, Elaine Paige and Petula Clarke but Swanson and Close are the only ones who hit this role out of the ballpark.
I'm sorry, are we seeing/hearing the same thing? They transposed the notes down to nothing, and she still can't sing the score. She's playing the character for laughs as if it were a sitcom and also makes gross "grandma noises" throughout. Gloria Swanson must've been spinning in her grave.
Petula Clark will always be the weakest of all original Normas, but at least in the original Trevor Nunn production she had some class and dignity. By the time the Susan Schulman US tour rolled around, she was a sideshow attraction.
Dianaemanuel for years he’s trotted around all the uploads featuring Petula as Norma, talking crap. Not sure what emlodik is trying to prove other than his disdain for a performer in a role.
WELL Petula has made a EIGHTY year career out of it. She as had countless hits and as made many classic movies. She is also a excellent and extremely accomplished actress in musical theatre. So it must be your ears that are the problem then.
@@darrenplumpton9737 I saw her on the tour along with her two understudies Susan Emerson and Alice Lynn. Out of those three performers she was the weakest and Alice Lynn wasn't that good to begin with. Susan Emerson on the other hand was phenomenal. Petula's acting was over the top and not in a good way. She sang on key but she turned Norma into caricature. Her attempt at a midwestern accent missed the mark and she approached As If We Never Said Goodbye with all the subtlety of a freight train. The only point in tune entire show where she was convincing was her speech at the end. She spoke to Cecil B DeMille (Max) in a babygirl voice until the last line. At that point she was completely lost in her fantasy and her voice lowered and she delivered her last spoken line. Other than that she just wasn't a good fit. I hope that was constructive enough for you. I'm a fanatic of this show. I've spent a lot over the years seeing this show in various productions. My first time seeing it was in London when I was 14 with Betty Buckley. Petula is just not on the same level with the other women who have donned the turban
Wonderful, remember going to see Petula as Norma on a cold February night in 1996 ❤️
I'm glad to see all the positive comments and love for Petula. I think she is just as good as all the other actresses who played this role. She often gets unfair criticism in these threads. Love her! ❤️
I guess because she was a pop singer in the 60s.
Petula was terrific in this role and what a strong powerful voice she has!!!
What a wonderful, original performance Petula Clark gives. How I wish I had seen her. It's hard to believe that the young woman who gave us DOWN TOWN and DON'T SLEEP ON THE SUBWAYS could also give us such a profoundly moving Norma Desmond. I love the vulnerability and sadness she finds in this character. Beautiful!
Are you on drugs? She's awful in this. She's KNOWN FOR being awful in this.
Listen and watch the video, Petula was not known for being awful. Some people had their own favourite "Norma's" but Petula extended the West End run.
She was wonderful and is quite an actress. Check out her work on Blood Brothers too, if you can find any videos.
Also, to the person saying that she was known for being awful, you are mistaken. She has actually played the role more than anyone and Andrew Lloyd Webber would not have allowed unless he approved and loved her performance.
@@philipedwards1223 she did not extend the run. She finished her contract without extention, leaving briefly for a pre-planned vacation where she was covered by Rita Moreno. After she came back from that break she finished the remaining run of the show. That being said, pf the original london Norma's she was the weakest by far. Moreno flub ed likes nightly and still managed to produce a cohesive character. Petula Clark was never in the same league with Patti LuPone, Betty Buckley, or Elaine Paige so I won't even waste my time trying to make a comparison there
She absolutely rocked that! Brava!
I saw Ms Clark on her America tour in Va late 90s - she was truly amazing and incredible - her live performances exceesed all others So honored to have been there that night
To me, it is so annoying that most of us mortals will never see these great shows and the performers at their best. Many thanks for filming this snippit for me and all her other followers.
She is my favourite Norma, and i adore this song. Thank you MOONFALL.
Lovely
beloved Pet!
Thank you, Petula.
I wish the camera work were better, but Petula Clark transcends these matters...
I have always been a Petula fan ever since high school when America was exposed to her as one of the many artists of the "British Invasion". Yes, I am talking about the early 60's. I actually still have every LP Album she released and a whole collection of every CD released. She was a talent to treasure.
Marvelous.
Wonderful x
Many people will have many different favourite Norma Desmond's. I saw Elaine and Betty play Norma, but for me, Petula ticked all the boxes.
She does certain things really good in this show >her version of the Perfect Year is beautiful. I dont think she is the perfect fit for Norma but she certainly is a great performer.
😘💕💕💕💕💕💕💕💕Pétula
Petula Méga Star🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟
Amazing quality. I saw her first matinee performance (think it was Sept '95). Any more footage of this performance?
oh my god! thank you for uploading! do you have the finale from this performance?
I agree Bryan.
I’ve just watched Patty Lupone on TH-cam with this song. This version by Petula Clark is acted and sung so much better, way better. And I love Petula’s “and this time will be BIGGER”; gives me goosebumps everytime I hear it. So strong! I’m glad to have seen this production in the theatre in London!
P a t t i
Her vowels drive me nuts
I had a chance to see Miss Pet three times in the US National Tour: 98, 99 and 00. Allthough she was a credible Norma, I thought she was a little too comedic in her interpretation...not "dark" enough. But that's just one opinion as I saw it.
And her American accent was atrocious
I saw Petula do this show and it almost seemed like she was doing a parody and didn’t take it seriously. It was if she had watched Carol Burnett’s interpretation a few too many times. Additionally, she didn’t have the vocal fortitude for the part. So far, I’ve seen Diane Carol, Patty LuPone, Elaine Paige and Petula Clarke but Swanson and Close are the only ones who hit this role out of the ballpark.
So true!
Wow! I have the full of this show but my copy is not as clear. Do you have the full show? Please message if you could.... Appreciate it!!!
Why am I distracted by the chorus member on her left who looks like she's wandered in from M& S?
In my opinion she is the best Norma.Absoutely fabulous vocals. Knocks spots off Glen Close and all the rest Norma's.
U high?
My apologies. I had no idea you were a professional music critic.
I'm sorry, are we seeing/hearing the same thing? They transposed the notes down to nothing, and she still can't sing the score. She's playing the character for laughs as if it were a sitcom and also makes gross "grandma noises" throughout. Gloria Swanson must've been spinning in her grave.
I bow to your superior knowledge.
“Gross grandma noises”?!? Wtf???
I have a relative in this show -- could you please private message me for a trade? Please.... Thank you
Not as strong as the others! Good acting not as strong singing.
For me personally, far too animated. Too much movement instead of just letting the song/music do the work.
Petula Clark will always be the weakest of all original Normas, but at least in the original Trevor Nunn production she had some class and dignity. By the time the Susan Schulman US tour rolled around, she was a sideshow attraction.
Just out of interest, what qualifies you to make that judgement?
What qualifies you to contradict it?
emlodik totally agree. There's no link, she just hams each line to high heaven. Not Norma for me
It's even worse in the US Tour. She makes quirky "grandma noises" throughout the show and scurries around like Estelle Getty in "The Golden Girls."
Dianaemanuel for years he’s trotted around all the uploads featuring Petula as Norma, talking crap. Not sure what emlodik is trying to prove other than his disdain for a performer in a role.
Not the best singing, but she can at least sing. Unlike some Norma's. Sorry Glenn!
DISAGREE TOTALLY with you.
YES PETULA CLARK IS THE BEST FEMALE VOCALIST OF ALL TIME.
I dont like her singing.
You have bad taste in singing I would imagine, perhaps a tin ear or two!
WELL Petula has made a EIGHTY year career out of it.
She as had countless hits and as made many classic movies.
She is also a excellent and extremely accomplished actress in musical theatre.
So it must be your ears that are the problem then.
@@darrenplumpton9737 I saw her on the tour along with her two understudies Susan Emerson and Alice Lynn. Out of those three performers she was the weakest and Alice Lynn wasn't that good to begin with. Susan Emerson on the other hand was phenomenal. Petula's acting was over the top and not in a good way. She sang on key but she turned Norma into caricature. Her attempt at a midwestern accent missed the mark and she approached As If We Never Said Goodbye with all the subtlety of a freight train. The only point in tune entire show where she was convincing was her speech at the end. She spoke to Cecil B DeMille (Max) in a babygirl voice until the last line. At that point she was completely lost in her fantasy and her voice lowered and she delivered her last spoken line. Other than that she just wasn't a good fit.
I hope that was constructive enough for you. I'm a fanatic of this show. I've spent a lot over the years seeing this show in various productions. My first time seeing it was in London when I was 14 with Betty Buckley. Petula is just not on the same level with the other women who have donned the turban