This is by far my favourite version of My Friends, and in my opinion the best cast ever for Sweeney Todd. What annoys me is that so many Americans are going to be unaware this exists because it is an English production, meaning that when they compare best Sweeney's it'll always be George Hearn etc. when Michael should really be top of the list!
I'm British to clarify, discovered Sweeney Todd a few weeks ago and researched the hell out of it as I do with things I really really love. I research casts, comparisons and whatnot. George Hearn in all his years of performing is rightfully crowned as one of the best, and many are really really good, and so is Michael Ball.
George Hearn was a true operatically trained acting singer with Italianate vowels AND American diction, and a tremendous attention to detail. Michael Ball is an singing actor who was trained in modern musical theatre with microphones, and has a tremendous attention to detail. Imelda Staunton is the real revelation...her acting is insane, and her take on Mrs. Lovett as one who isn't necessarily in love with Todd, but sees him as an means to her end. Ball belongs in this role, but like Robert Preston will be identified with Harold Hill, so will Hearn be identified with Sweeney Todd.
i'm in love with the last part: Lift your razor high, Sweeney! Hear it singing, "Yes!" Sink it in the rosy skin Of righteousness! His voice was soft, His manner mild He seldom laughed, But he often smiled. He'd seen how civilized men behave. He never forgot and he never forgave, Not Sweeney, Not Sweeney Todd The demon barber of Fleet Street.
I saw this production in London, and it was so good, I went back a second time a few weeks later. It was the best production of the show I'd ever seen, even better than the original with George Hearn and Angela Landesbury. Both leads were brilliant.
I saw it on Friday and it was absolutely breather taking, i'm already planning on seeing it again wit a friend! But i get so sucked in i want to be back now! Post show depression is a killer!
It was such a brilliant production.. Not just the singing, everything- set, lighting, choreography. Saw it twice, worth every penny. The leads deserved their awards and I hope Imelda does more music theatre after this. Beautiful voice even if Mrs L sat a bit low for her soprano.
i may be biased ("empty chairs and empty tables....") but Michael Ball is sooooo wonderful as Sweeney Todd. you can feel his suffering and his basically good heart buried somewhere deep. you just feel like hugging him... (well, provided you wear a neck protector. )
Not this American ;-) This is one of my favorite musicals, period. I knew Ball and Staunton were headlining this one but hadn't heard it until now. Beautiful! I have even more respect for Staunton now; I loooooved her in the HP series.
I just looked up her Wiki, and found that she also played The Baker's Wife in the original 1990 West End production of Into The Woods(for which she won her Laurence Olivier Award for Best Actress in a Musical) as well! Just imagine if they had her play the Giantess(with all of the character she displayed in the stage show) for the film adaptation. *sigh*
@@michaelwilliamybarra2409 She was incredible in Gypsy -- won awards for both Sweeney and Gypsy. And now she was fabulous in Hello Dolly! She is a true acting and singing genius.
Hi, I totally agree with the comments about Michael Ball's vibrato, and he also has this gliding intonation in some parts I've heard, which is a bit pop singer. It's a shame. Glad he said my arm is complete, and not my right arm, which always sounded really awkward- bad Mr. Sonheim! Imelda Staunton is amazing in this song, and the chorus and orchestra are brilliant in this production.
I've been waiting for this to be recorded!!! I saw it in Chichester (I'm from San Francisco but a big Michael Ball fan) and this song gave me goosebumps hearing him. Thankfully it went to London or I wonder if they would have done a CD.
I love this version! I am going to be that guy and say that Johnny Depp (as an actor, not a singer) is #1 for my favorite Sweeney Todd, but Michael Ball is definitely a close 2nd, but takes #1 vocally. This song moved me. I didn't like Imelda as a Mrs. Lovett as much as others though....Better than Angela Lansbury though!
Michael Ball is an excellent stage Sweeney, but I can't help but think that his less-operatic (than Heard and Cariou) delivery might have a teeny-tiny bit of a nod to Johnny Depp's version. Heard and Cariou go straight to classical singing, but I absolutely loved Depp's performance. Also, he says, "my arm is complete again" when others speak, "my _right_ arm is complete again. Don't know which is the correct script, but I think the shorter line is much better and wonder if that was a movie decision too. Or Depp's.
i like this version.. i love timburton's work and for thats the best version iheard and watched, plus it showed johnny doesnt only have acting as a talent but also in singing, i fell in love with it tbh... this comes to second...
personally, I like Johnny Depp's version of this song, only because it hits me deeper than this version. I'm not saying Michael Ball's bad, he's pretty amazing, and the part for Sweeney calls for a baritone/bass, and his vibrato, at least to me, makes it not as powerful a song to me. I used this as an audition song for a musical I was going to be part of, and it was because of Johnny Depp I did it, if I heard this version first, I might not have used it. no offense to anyone who loves michael.
I love Michael's voice for this role. However, I don't like the shaky effect in his voice throughout. In the beginning it was fine, because at that point Sweeney is very emotional and sentimental. But he should have shifted out of that sort of singing as he progressed through the song. Besides that all I have to criticize is Staunton's high notes. All said, I wish I'd been able to see this live. Alas, I am in the US.
Johnny Depp should not be anywhere near the top of any singing or acting list for Sweeney Todd. It's always the same some terrible movie comes out and everyone gives undue credit to the terrible performances of the cast. Johnny Depp butchered the role. George Hearn is probably the best then maybe Len Cariou. Michael Ball is good though.
His vibrato is cilling me! Also, he's one of the best Sweeneys - just look at that crazy spark in his eyes ♥️
So good that you forget how to spell out what sweeney does.
this song always gives me goose bumps
This is by far my favourite version of My Friends, and in my opinion the best cast ever for Sweeney Todd. What annoys me is that so many Americans are going to be unaware this exists because it is an English production, meaning that when they compare best Sweeney's it'll always be George Hearn etc. when Michael should really be top of the list!
I'm British to clarify, discovered Sweeney Todd a few weeks ago and researched the hell out of it as I do with things I really really love. I research casts, comparisons and whatnot. George Hearn in all his years of performing is rightfully crowned as one of the best, and many are really really good, and so is Michael Ball.
George Hearn was a true operatically trained acting singer with Italianate vowels AND American diction, and a tremendous attention to detail. Michael Ball is an singing actor who was trained in modern musical theatre with microphones, and has a tremendous attention to detail. Imelda Staunton is the real revelation...her acting is insane, and her take on Mrs. Lovett as one who isn't necessarily in love with Todd, but sees him as an means to her end. Ball belongs in this role, but like Robert Preston will be identified with Harold Hill, so will Hearn be identified with Sweeney Todd.
@@psalmtone2008 You are 100% correct about Imelda's acting. Her signing ain't bad either.
NO MARIUS! DON'T LISTEN TO UMBRIDGE! COSETTE IS ALIVE!!!
It is a crime that no DVD of this was made, the best production ever and no DVD, what a lose!!!
Shame this was not made released on DVD :-(
That was an outstanding “At last…”; one can feel the Dark Side flowing through him!
i'm in love with the last part:
Lift your razor high, Sweeney!
Hear it singing, "Yes!"
Sink it in the rosy skin
Of righteousness!
His voice was soft,
His manner mild
He seldom laughed,
But he often smiled.
He'd seen how civilized men behave.
He never forgot and he never forgave,
Not Sweeney,
Not Sweeney Todd
The demon barber of Fleet Street.
The Ballad of Sweeney Todd was missing in the movie.
I saw this production in London, and it was so good, I went back a second time a few weeks later. It was the best production of the show I'd ever seen, even better than the original with George Hearn and Angela Landesbury. Both leads were brilliant.
one of the best versions of this song I've ever heard! Amazing
I saw it on Friday and it was absolutely breather taking, i'm already planning on seeing it again wit a friend! But i get so sucked in i want to be back now! Post show depression is a killer!
Im goint to see this in London in August and this makes me soooooo excited!!!! I cant wait!!!
Micheal and Imelda are the best Todd and Lovett ever!
This my new favorite version of my friends
Agreed, I didn't notice a "shaking" voice at all when I saw it last night
Looking forward to seeing this in 3 weeks
It was such a brilliant production.. Not just the singing, everything- set, lighting, choreography. Saw it twice, worth every penny. The leads deserved their awards and I hope Imelda does more music theatre after this. Beautiful voice even if Mrs L sat a bit low for her soprano.
This is AMAZING!!! I need to get this CD. I live in america and had no idea.
i may be biased ("empty chairs and empty tables....") but Michael Ball is sooooo wonderful as Sweeney Todd. you can feel his suffering and his basically good heart buried somewhere deep. you just feel like hugging him... (well, provided you wear a neck protector. )
HOLY. CRUD. This is seriously amazing!
RIP Stephen Sondheim
Not this American ;-) This is one of my favorite musicals, period. I knew Ball and Staunton were headlining this one but hadn't heard it until now. Beautiful! I have even more respect for Staunton now; I loooooved her in the HP series.
I just looked up her Wiki, and found that she also played The Baker's Wife in the original 1990 West End production of Into The Woods(for which she won her Laurence Olivier Award for Best Actress in a Musical) as well!
Just imagine if they had her play the Giantess(with all of the character she displayed in the stage show) for the film adaptation. *sigh*
@@michaelwilliamybarra2409 She was incredible in Gypsy -- won awards for both Sweeney and Gypsy. And now she was fabulous in Hello Dolly! She is a true acting and singing genius.
Yes! I'd be so happy if you'll upload these both songs :) I regret not buying the CD right the evening I saw this :(
Hi, I totally agree with the comments about Michael Ball's vibrato, and he also has this gliding intonation in some parts I've heard, which is a bit pop singer. It's a shame. Glad he said my arm is complete, and not my right arm, which always sounded really awkward- bad Mr. Sonheim! Imelda Staunton is amazing in this song, and the chorus and orchestra are brilliant in this production.
if the actor is left handed, then they say "at last, my arm is complete again", just so you know.
When did they do this? Acting and enunciation is excellent.
Oh shit! I never knew he played this role!
So umbridge and bellatrix played the same character
So did Trelawney. Inspector Javert (Les Mis 10th) performed with her as Judge Turpin
1:05 Love this part
I've been waiting for this to be recorded!!! I saw it in Chichester (I'm from San Francisco but a big Michael Ball fan) and this song gave me goosebumps hearing him.
Thankfully it went to London or I wonder if they would have done a CD.
I'd love to hear this version of Pretty Women.
michael ball looks so different
i always wanted to see this and i just found out it ends september 22nd :/
I love this version! I am going to be that guy and say that Johnny Depp (as an actor, not a singer) is #1 for my favorite Sweeney Todd, but Michael Ball is definitely a close 2nd, but takes #1 vocally. This song moved me.
I didn't like Imelda as a Mrs. Lovett as much as others though....Better than Angela Lansbury though!
Wow
I didnt know Imelda Staunton played Mrs Lovett
Michael Ball is an excellent stage Sweeney, but I can't help but think that his less-operatic (than Heard and Cariou) delivery might have a teeny-tiny bit of a nod to Johnny Depp's version. Heard and Cariou go straight to classical singing, but I absolutely loved Depp's performance. Also, he says, "my arm is complete again" when others speak, "my _right_ arm is complete again. Don't know which is the correct script, but I think the shorter line is much better and wonder if that was a movie decision too. Or Depp's.
Do you also have "A Little Priest" and "The Tale Of Sweeney Todd" as CD version? :)
@XJavertxEponineX In the Les Miz sequel LOL
i like this version.. i love timburton's work and for thats the best version iheard and watched, plus it showed johnny doesnt only have acting as a talent but also in singing, i fell in love with it tbh... this comes to second...
This isn't Depp, his singing is very soft, not really suited for stage
personally, I like Johnny Depp's version of this song, only because it hits me deeper than this version. I'm not saying Michael Ball's bad, he's pretty amazing, and the part for Sweeney calls for a baritone/bass, and his vibrato, at least to me, makes it not as powerful a song to me. I used this as an audition song for a musical I was going to be part of, and it was because of Johnny Depp I did it, if I heard this version first, I might not have used it. no offense to anyone who loves michael.
I love Michael's voice for this role. However, I don't like the shaky effect in his voice throughout. In the beginning it was fine, because at that point Sweeney is very emotional and sentimental. But he should have shifted out of that sort of singing as he progressed through the song. Besides that all I have to criticize is Staunton's high notes. All said, I wish I'd been able to see this live. Alas, I am in the US.
He's a tenor also....he's no baritone. Completely wrong for him. The Brits ALWAYS get it wrong.
I personally don't think depp has the best of voices, he's good but not spectacular :)
This isn't Johnny Depp, this is Michael Ball.
I must say I don't like Ball's voice for this.
Johnny Depp should not be anywhere near the top of any singing or acting list for Sweeney Todd. It's always the same some terrible movie comes out and everyone gives undue credit to the terrible performances of the cast. Johnny Depp butchered the role. George Hearn is probably the best then maybe Len Cariou. Michael Ball is good though.