[EponineBarker]

I think this number deepens Turpin's character a lot, so why does this number always seem to get cut from the show? Is it because of time issues? I know it's on the OBC and the Revival recordings, as well as the 2000/2001 concert, but it was cut from the 1982 DVD version (and the Burton movie) and I don't hear of too many other productions that use this song.

[ActingDude17]

It actually isn't ever cut. If it's ever present in a production it's technically illegal actually.

The number got cut during the original Broadway production's previews. I've seen the show done twice and the song was in one of them. I actually enjoyed it very much.

[dolbinau]

[theatre4life]

it's not illegal in the least. thats just ridiculous. they were cut during previews due to reasons of length.

[Salome]

Most productions use the song..its only ever bene cut in the OBC.

[diamonddust]

[Disney-Bway27]

"The Tooth Pulling Contest", I believe, is on the OBCR in the latter portion of "The Contest."

I dunno about "Searching (II)" though.

[Pannic]

There's also the Beggar Woman's Lullaby, an extra section that was added in for a later production. There's a choice between that and the "Beadle-deedle-dee."

Or does it come after the "Beadle-deedle-dee" thing?

[dehaveyoulicious]

Searching II and the Beggar Woman's Lullaby are one and the same. As I recall, it is included on the DVD of the concert production with Patti Lupone and George Hearn. It comes immediately after the "beedle deedle deedle dumpling" bit. It was added for the London production, but is usually not included because - from what I'm told - it foreshadows a little too well that big twist ending. It uses melodies previously established in "Poor Thing" as a lullaby.

[dolbinau]

[theatre4life]

[Mistress]

I usher at a community theatre as a part-time job, and a few months back, for the second show of the MT season, a group put on Sweeney Todd. They kept EVERYTHING; Mea Culpa, the tooth-pulling sequence, the parlour song sequence, and even the lullaby was in it. They didn't leave ANYTHING out.

[Salome]

[Yakko]

[Pannic]

I find the Lullaby more compelling than just "Beadle-Deedle-Dee." It gives the Beggar Woman some humanity, and makes the revelation much more chilling, especially when Sweeney kills her.

Also, it's musically a better piece than most of what she sings in the rest of the show.

[theatre4life]

good points, Salome and Pannic. maybe Ill hafta watch it again. the first time i ever saw the show was in community theatre and i managed to get a vid, 'cos my former English teacher from 10th grade was the MD. i cant even remember right now if that did spoil the ending for me or not, mainly 'cos it's been years since my first viewing of the show.

they'd left in everything as well - Judge's Johanna, Tooth Pulling, Beggar Woman's Lullaby, the lot. i think, tho that somewhere in the area of the Judge's Johanna and the Contest, they shifted scenes or songs or something - at least different to the script i have, which is the Applause Books version.

[dehaveyoulicious]

I never said I didn't like the piece, I just stated the primary argument I've heard for cutting it. That said, I don't know that we learn anything new about the Beggar Woman from adding the number. We can see her revelatory moments, that she's been here before, that this is where she nursed her baby, in the brief Beedle Deedle waltz. I think that after "City on Fire" the second act needs to move. There is something tragic that she finds this moment of pure joy, something we have not seen from her, just before she dies. Also, I like the idea that Lovett stole the melody that Lucy sung to Johanna to torture Sweeney in "Poor Thing". Still, I think it is the smallness of the moment, and how quickly it is dismissed once the judge enters that makes the audience second guess who she is. Of course, I cannot say for sure. The first time I saw it was the Hearn / Lansbury video which does not include it, and admittedly, I was one of those people who only figured it out when Sweeney did.