Caroline O’Connor is the toast of Paris

AussieTheatre.com can reveal that composer Stephen Sondheim has a new favourite Mrs Lovett.

What would Angela Lansbury say?

AussieTheatre.com can reveal that composer Stephen Sondheim has a new favourite Mrs Lovett.

He has declared that Australia’s own Caroline O’Connor as the best Mrs Lovett he has ever heard, after she took to the stage in a production of Sweeney Todd in Paris.

O’Connor’s appearance in the show has gone virtually un-noticed by the Australian theatre scene, but she is earning stunning reviews and how impressive acclaim from the legendary Sondheim.

There’s an incredible story behind O’Connor’s casting in the show.

As we understand it, the actress originally slated to play Mrs Lovett in the Chatelet Theatre Company’s production of the musical was struggling with the role during the rehearsal process and was dumped in favour of O’Connor.

It is a massive production with a cast of 36 on stage, and a 46 piece Orchestra.

 

One review of the show said, in part: “The contrast with the stunning Mrs Lovett of Caroline O’Connor was remarkable. This English singer was quite simply brilliant in her role as the murderous pie maker who turns to cannibalism with an entirely disarming and pragmatic candour.”

Another said: “The Australian singer, dancer and actress replaced the scheduled artist less than a month ago. She didn’t know the role and yet, she made it hers in an amazing way: since Angela Lansbury’s performance, we have not heard of such incarnation. Stephen Sondheim made no mistake and he didn’t hesitate to let others know that she is ‘the best Mrs Lovett he has ever heard’. This little miracle takes place in Paris so you’d better hurry to grab your tickets.”

O’Connor’s achievement is a major Australian news success story.