[Boob]

Did anyone attend the tale's first performance last night? Am keen to read reviews. Was debating whether or not to get tickets and must admit to being slightly put off by the pictures on the Whatsonstage site... Not sure Ms Friedman is a natural Lovett and David Freeman is not a director I care much for either.

[Theatresquirrel]

I saw it. Incomparably better than the last time they did Sweeney Todd in the Royal Festival Hall, despite rumours that last night was actually effectively their dress rehearsal owing to some setbacks in production. I really enjoyed it, and the packed house certainly did.

The staging is a bit pony, but then frankly nobody's going to see this production for the staging.

It's all about the principals, and they are all pretty darn good. I thought Maria Friedman was great, if not definitive (though how can anyone be after Lansbury?). Terfel and Quast are particularly sensational in their two duets; watch the hands. I wasn't mad for Emma Williams but in fairness that's probably just coz I'm just not mad for Joanna. Always thought that character needs a good slap. Much as I love Sondheim in every way, what's the thing with winsome heroines singing to the birds? Enough already.

For me, the best thing last night were the two Daniels, playing the best Toby and Anthony I've ever seen. Daniel Evans is a superb actor and Daniel Boys has a superb voice. They're both really well cast and give these roles everything they need.

The orchestra played really well. The whistle could've been way louder for me, but the organ was pretty darn beefy.

Good stuff. Now bring on the movie.

[RTKM]

I saw it last night

It was my 1st time of seeing Sweeney Todd

I am going again tonight and tomorrow

I thought the whole performance was deffo brill

[coated peanuts]

I saw it and thought it was quite alright.

I had quite a grumble with the sound system though. I sat in the upper balcony and at times felt that my ears were about to start bleeding with the volume. The chorus was particularly overpowered on amplification and the organ had the same charming effect as a soundsystem in a Ford Modeo cranked up to top volume. I sat right by the side and perhaps that effect only affects those seats, but judging by that I won't be seen in the royal festival hall again in a hurry unless I win the lottery and can try the stalls.

[musicals fan]

Interesting comments above on amplification. I was seated in the Annexe very near the performers (front row too)and 90% of the words were inaudible. This must be amplification causing this distortion because classical music concerts since the refurbishment can be heard much more clearly - at least downstairs.

Must admit from where I sat I was not over-impressed and thought that Bryn Terfel's performance was too good for the material. I did like Philip Quast though and thought he alone was up to Terfel's singing and acting levels.

[Matthew Winn]

I wasn't mad for Emma Williams but in fairness that's probably just coz I'm just not mad for Joanna. Always thought that character needs a good slap. Much as I love Sondheim in every way, what's the thing with winsome heroines singing to the birds? Enough already.

Oh good, it's not just me. I've always thought of Johanna as one of the least appealing female characters in a major musical, mainly because she's so incredibly drippy, and I've never understood why Anthony is attracted to her. Evidently it's entirely physical. Forget your damned reticule, woman, and get yourself a personality.

(I like Sweeney Todd, I really do, but Johanna makes me want to scream.)

[Orchestrator]

Oh good, it's not just me. I've always thought of Johanna as one of the least appealing female characters in a major musical, mainly because she's so incredibly drippy, and I've never understood why Anthony is attracted to her. Evidently it's entirely physical. Forget your damned reticule, woman, and get yourself a personality.

(I like Sweeney Todd, I really do, but Johanna makes me want to scream.)

I'm embarrassed that I've temporarily forgotten the name of the actress that played Johanna at the National. She really made the part work for me, not drippy at all, rather, intelligent and distracted. My grandmother, who I now (far too late) realise was as camp as Christmas, always referred to her handbag as her reticule.

[Boob]

Carol Starks played Johanna at the NT.

[QTip]

Saw it last night. Sound quality was poor with many lyrics lost (all right, I know we all know them anyway, but that's not the point). Bryn Terfel's sang beautifully but oh my his performance was totally devoid of any light and shade whatsoever. I was longing for him and Philip Quast to swap roles. (Surely PQ must play Sweeney sometime soon? He was more than up to BTs standard of singing). It was a shame that BT got some of the lyrics to A Little Priest wrong and that MF totally dried in the middle of By The Sea. Otherwise her performance was OK - rather broad and based on a poor copy of Angela Lansbury.

Daniel Evans was absolutely superb - can he do anything badly?! Was disappointed in Daniel Boys - nice enough voice but no visible acting ability. Thought Emma Williams was OK. Talking of Joanna's who've brought more to the part - anyone remember Eithne Harrigan in the Half Moons production with Leon Greene as Sweeney and Gillian Hannah as Mrs L? Fantastic production - really scarey. I remember leaving the theatre and running to my car!

Back to the RFH. Staging absolutely dreadful. I realise they were battling against the environ but please..... And the unveiling of Sweeney's chair in the second act simply raised a huge laugh. If you've seen it, you'll know what I mean!

Great to hear the score performed with a full orchestra.

The big let down really was that it simply wasn't thrilling.

[June]

Was disappointed in Daniel Boys - nice enough voice but no visible acting ability.

Wasn't this why he was eliminated from Any Dream Will Do?