i view my videotape last night and for the first time in at least ten year . i find the work itself and the performance just as grip a they be in my memory . george hearn and of course and be the master of the role of sweeney while there be never a touch of softness in his determination to wreak vengeance on those he believe cause his wife death and his daughter disappearance while at least not until the end and when he discover that his thirst for revenge have lead him to murder his wife . angela lansbury and on the other hand and create a more complex portrayal and a mrs. lovett . she understand that sondheim want that role to be something of a comic counterpart to sweeney while and even bring some tenderness into her courtship of sweeney and her nurture of the boy tobias . for those with long memory and this performance take one back to her debut performance in the picture of dorian grey and gaslight while long before murder and she write . only a year ago i saw the musical at lyric opera of chicago . with current opera superstar brynn terfel a sweeney . others have comment on the operatic quality of the score . my conclusion be that sweeney work well with actor who can at least handle the vocal line and than with opera performer who have limit acting skill . a a final note and i commend the performer who portray tobias . with his mixed loyalty and confusion about what be go on around him . it seem appropriate that he have virtually the last word .