I saw Caroline O' Connor as Mrs Lovett in the parisian version, and she was wonderful. Still, Lansbury is my favorite. I would have loved to see Dorothy Loudon as well. O' Connor played Mrs Lovett as a "cold" lady and she was pretty scary(in comparison with Lansbury's Lovett)
Nancy Hayes in the Australuan premiere production for the State Opera company of South Australia ( 1988 ) was a tour de force, tender,scary and unhinged. Sadly Australia has never had a worthwhile production since.
Only ever saw Miss Lansbury on tape ( the bootleg audio from opening night is masterful )
London production last year was one of the most thrilling nights of theatre. Period!
Well I didn't want to get into it, but he's a Satanist.
Every full moon he sacrifices 4 puppies to the Dark Lord and smears their blood on his paino.
This should help you understand the score for Wicked a little bit more.
Tazber's: Reply to
Is Stephen Schwartz a Practicing Christian
Of the five Nellie Lovetts I've seen live, including Loudon and Lupone, Lansbury was easily the best. I have many reasons for that statement, but I'll limit myself. Lansbury's characterization was and, on the DVD, still is such an amazing combination of broad, stylized and warm, human elements. She goes so far out on, say, "Worst Pies in London," and does such a touching, human interpretation of "Not While I'm Around." Every time I saw the show, I was totally bowled over when, in the latter song, she subtly, but clearly went from the genuinely affectionate and motherly delivery to the gradual realization that Toby, whom she really cares about, must be gotten rid of. Emotionally, she turns on a dime and, with the help of the great orchestration, does it with a glance.