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Scottie
Registered User
Registered:
3/6/2006
From:
Edinburgh, Scotland | posted: 10/5/2007 at 5:19:29 PM ET
There's a sneak peek of the Tim Burton "Sweeney Todd" film here
It gave me chills just to watch the trailer, can't wait for the film now. Although most of us wanted BP in the movie I must say Mrs Helena Bonham-Lovett looks and sounds the part -- right down to her rather voluptuous meat pies!
"There’s a lot in the world for us to turn our attention to — helping people, helping animals, and helping animals help people." ... Bernadette Peters, August, 2007
|  Colrodia
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Registered:
9/19/2006
From:
South Korea
Fav. BP Song: Take me to the world, We'll start the party again
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| posted: 10/6/2007 at 9:51:27 PM ET
oh, I saw it in Musical fan cafe where I am in.
You gotta be a original.
Because if you're like someone else,
What do they need you for?
|  Sister Rose
Registered User
Registered:
5/4/2004
From:
NYC | posted: 10/7/2007 at 6:59:53 AM ET
You know I am completely devoted to Sweeney. I can hardly wait for the movie to be released here. NYC usually gets movies first in the US so I am grateful for that. In May, 2006, I went to a party which both Sondheim and Bernadette also attended. He told us that he was excited about the movie and that yes, Johnny could sing. At that time Mrs. Lovett had not be cast. Bernadette indicated her interest in the role, half-jokingly because of Johnny Depp - the look on her face was "oh, he's cute." Sondheim seemed interested in her doing it as well. You know the old adage, "behind every joke"...but, you know how these things go in Hollywood and I suspect it doesn't hurt to be married to the director, eh? I have been a fan of Helena Bonham Carter since she did a Room With a View, but I'm still torn on whether she will bring justice to my precious Mrs. Lovett. The majority of the songs are for high soprano with lots of intricate note progressions. Angela Lansbury almost didn't accept the role because she didn't think she could sing it. Sondheim convinced her that, of course, she could. I dream of Bernadette doing Mrs. Lovett - but not the recent revival nor this movie. It's too dark but then again, Bernadette is an actress and I'm sure she could have done it. She would have been brilliant in as more Lansbury-like Lovett, but then that might have been an imitation of the original in a way. At any rate, I suspose we can only imagine what she would have done with it at this point.
Fingers crossed that this is still a musical and singing roles for both of Lovett and Sweeney and the brilliant lyrics with score are not compromised.
Otherwise, the trailer has me drooling.
(Now, if I was to be completely snarky (who me) and I had the money to do it, I'd pull a reversal of fortune and produce another revival, this time traditional, of Sweeney with Bernadette as Lovett while the much talked about LuPone Gypsy is also on Broadway. That would be one for the chatteratti, eh? Of course, it would be an embarrassment of riches to have two legendary Divas on Broadway at once and I would be quite in Heaven. Sigh.)
http://sarahbsadventures.blogspot.com/
| Scottie
Registered User
Registered:
3/6/2006
From:
Edinburgh, Scotland | posted: 10/9/2007 at 9:13:31 AM ET
I would love to have seen BP cast as Mrs Lovett and think she is super equipped to play the role in every way but one. I wonder what we would make of BP's London accent if she had the role? I'm afraid, judging by her previous attempts, she just doesn't sound convincing. It probably wouldn't matter that much on stage but in a film performance it would stick out like a sore thumb ... I'm thinking Dick Van Dyke's "Bert" here .  Still, with Bernadette's total commitment to everything she does -- it's nothing that a short stay at Pinewood and a good vocal coach couldn't sort out. And what wouldn't we all give to see her in such a meaty (no pun intended) role as Mrs Lovett ... it's no more than her wonderful talents deserve.
But, I was pleasantly surprised at how good Helena Bonham Carter seemed in the trailer. I don't know about her singing voice (having only her song in Burton's "Corpse Bride" to go on) but her speaking voice (tone, accent, etc.) sounds absolutely spot on . I think she may surprise us all. The funny thing is, while watching her against-type performance as an east-end London Jewish mother in "Sixty Six" (GB, 2006), I kept thinking how much she reminded me of the younger Bernadette in so many ways .... that "other time, other place" look etc.
Sister Rose, lots of us are eagerly awaiting the planned London transfer of Gypsy, but I don't know one single person who is looking forward to Patti as Rose. It's no exaggeration to say that everyone I speak to about it wishes it were the Peters/Mendes production we were going to get.
an afterthought .... It's a well-known fact that J. Depp bases his English accent on that of Keith Richards (Rolling Stones) but judging by the Sweeney Todd trailer it sounds like his singing voice is based on another famous Londoner. Just shut your eyes and you'll hear David Bowie there!
"There’s a lot in the world for us to turn our attention to — helping people, helping animals, and helping animals help people." ... Bernadette Peters, August, 2007
| Witch From The Wood
Registered User
Registered:
10/4/2007
From:
America | posted: 10/9/2007 at 1:39:19 PM ET
I can't wait for this movie. I love Johnny Depp. Having Bernadette would of made the movie even more wonderful, of course, even in just a small role if anything. Film musicals are becoming popular agian (Moulin Rouge, Chicago, Phantom....) so I hope she does at least one.
Marie: Because I just heard a song on the radio that reminded me of the way we were.
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Marie: "The Way We Were."
|  leebee
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Registered:
1/19/2004
Fav. BP Song: Being Alive
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| posted: 10/9/2007 at 5:21:16 PM ET
Wow - already it looks quite different than what I expected. In a good way, I should say.
Coincidentally, one of the universities in my town is doing a production of Todd right now. It is quite fun, very charming in a "gosh, that was ambitious!" kind of way. The theater department there is very active and they do have some very talented people. They are not afraid to tackle some pretty difficult material.
http://www.uncg.edu/ure/news/stories/2007/Sept/SweeneyTodd091107.htm
| Scottie
Registered User
Registered:
3/6/2006
From:
Edinburgh, Scotland | posted: 10/10/2007 at 7:12:31 AM ET
"Bloody good show!" ... that's funny, I love that.
"There’s a lot in the world for us to turn our attention to — helping people, helping animals, and helping animals help people." ... Bernadette Peters, August, 2007
| Sister Rose
Registered User
Registered:
5/4/2004
From:
NYC | posted: 10/17/2007 at 8:05:58 AM ET
If I had the funds, I would travel the world seeing productions of Gypsy and Sweeney Todd, regardless of who is starring (Oh wait, I've already done a little of this and intend to do more, in fact in just a week!). I think both shows are so completely entertaining and brilliant. Isn't Lovett a bit like Rose after all? Manipulative! Naive! Doing what she has to do in order to get what she wants?! Well, I too wish that Bernadette would do Gypsy in the West End (anything else for that matter) and I would travel to see her. On the other hand, I saw Patti's Gypsy at City Center four times and she was terrific. And there's no reason why she shouldn't have the same chance as others. These are two very different actresses and there's really no need to compare them. They put their own unique stamps on characters and that's how it should be, after all, didn't Bernadette say herself that why should you imitate anybody else? Or something like that. Anybody who sees Patti (or almost anybody) in Gypsy won't be disappointed. Gypsy is the perfect musical.
As far as Cockney accents go for Mrs. Lovett, it came easy to Angela Lansbury. She was born in the Cockney section of London (someone born within earshot of the Bow Bells of St. Mary-le-Bow Church). She still speaks with a bit of a British accent in person. Patti used a bizarre accent as Lovett and was teased for it but nobody really cared because that characterization was bizarre anyway and she was unbelievable good. Bernadette used a strange accent that passed for British in Song and Dance, but again nobody really cared because she was just too good at the rest of it.
What is exciting to me about actress in their late 40s and up is that they are all completely unique - sometimes they take on the same roles or star together, but not one of them can be confused with another. When you hear the first notes come from their mouths, you immediately know who they are....so that is one reason I cannot leave my devotion with just one of these musical theatre divas - there are just too many things about each of them to love. Conversely, I really can't decipher who's who in today's musical theatre - they all look very much alike, sound very much alike and are pretty much just plain boring. Obviously, Kristen Chenoweth leads the pack of those lookalikes, and perhaps she is the mold, with the exception of Kelli O'Hara who is completely versatile and probably Sutton Foster.
Countdown to Sweeney Todd in Boston
http://sarahbsadventures.blogspot.com/
| Scottie
Registered User
Registered:
3/6/2006
From:
Edinburgh, Scotland | posted: 10/17/2007 at 1:01:29 PM ET
Angela's London background is a very famous one, not so much for the lady herself, but rather for her very well regarded politician grandfather, George Lansbury. the Lansbury clan. I agree, she not only speaks with an English accent still but always sings with one too, even when she's not meant to --- just listen to her fabulous singing in "Mame".
You are so right about the silliness in comparing great singers/actors/divas ... it surely is very childish and ill informed. But, I suppose, here in London, people still remember Patti's "Norma Desmond" at the Adelphi Theatre on The Strand ... and that is why they perhaps prefer Bernadette Peters "Rose". 
TV here is full of "Sweeney Todd" mentions and clips ... it is certainly something that I am looking forward to. It's just great to have a movie version of a musical again. But in this story, of all stories, surely Mrs Lovett must have an authentic accent? On stage, as I've previously said, the accent wouldn't matter that much but in a film it would stick out like a sore fumb ... oops, sorry, went a bit Cockney there, I meant to say ... thumb.
"There’s a lot in the world for us to turn our attention to — helping people, helping animals, and helping animals help people." ... Bernadette Peters, August, 2007
| Sister Rose
Registered User
Registered:
5/4/2004
From:
NYC | posted: 10/18/2007 at 7:14:30 AM ET
Blimey.
http://sarahbsadventures.blogspot.com/
| Scottie
Registered User
Registered:
3/6/2006
From:
Edinburgh, Scotland | posted: 10/23/2007 at 3:02:52 PM ET
Yay!
Yay?
"There’s a lot in the world for us to turn our attention to — helping people, helping animals, and helping animals help people." ... Bernadette Peters, August, 2007
| Sister Rose
Registered User
Registered:
5/4/2004
From:
NYC | posted: 10/23/2007 at 6:13:46 PM ET
Sweeney Todd on Tour in Boston
http://sarahbsadventures.blogspot.com/
| Karen
Registered User
Registered:
5/3/2002 | posted: 12/4/2007 at 11:56:11 AM ET
The "buzz" on the film right now seems to be ecstatic.
Sample Mention From Terry Teachout
| Scottie
Registered User
Registered:
3/6/2006
From:
Edinburgh, Scotland | posted: 12/4/2007 at 1:04:54 PM ET
This one is talking Oscars and how well Helena Bonham Carter sings!
sweeney
Sondheim has shown the film to Bernadette and they say she gave the film a 
"There’s a lot in the world for us to turn our attention to — helping people, helping animals, and helping animals help people." ... Bernadette Peters, August, 2007
| Sister Rose
Registered User
Registered:
5/4/2004
From:
NYC | posted: 12/5/2007 at 1:27:26 PM ET
I had to pass by the Ziegfield on Monday night in order to get to Carnegie for a concert....the Sweeney Todd NY Premiere was taking place. I was oh sooooo tempted to stay and watch the festivities! Alas, La Diva Fleming won out this time. Apparently, Sondheim also held a private screening over the weekend for Angela Lansbury, Len Cariou Patti LuPone and other choice friends. Oh to be a fly on that wall. Both Alan Rickman (Judge Turpin) and Angela Lansbury (Original Lovett) were at the opening night of August: Osage County last night and she had words with him - I would have loved to hear that conversation too! Only, 17 more days until we can see this in NYC.
http://sarahbsadventures.blogspot.com/
|  moljul
Registered User
Registered:
4/2/2001
From:
New York
Fav. BP CD: I'll Be Your Baby Tonight
Fav. BP Song: Dublin Lady
| posted: 12/5/2007 at 2:08:43 PM ET
The official release date is December 21st but does anyone know if it might actually open on Wednesday, the 19th in NYC? I know it often opens a day or two (or more) earlier in NYC and LA.
"Particular mention must be made of Bernadette Peters, who turns up briefly in a sort of sparkly Glinda the Good costume. She's the reluctant muse sent to help Alice with her writing. The muse is dressed like Oz, sounds like Queens and behaves like a bored student adviser." Alice Film Review, The New York Times, December 25, 1990
"I'm one star away from Dolly Parton ... and Raymond Massey is between us. I hope we don't suffocate him." Bernadette Peters receiving her star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame, April 24, 1987
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