At Last my RIGHT arm is complete again
Why, in this version, did he say "RIGHT" arm? In the 1980's play version (same actor) and the newer one (with Johnny Depp), they just say "At last, my arm is complete again".
Thanks.
George Hearn explained this in radio interview where he mentioned that originally in the text the line is said as "At Last my Right arm is complete again". However; original Sweeney; Len Cariou was left handed so they cut the "right" from the text during the broadway production. Hearn also added that Sondheim loves the right arm bit and was hoping originally when Hearn had taken over the role that right would be added back unto the text. Hearn was also left handed so the right arm could not be added back to the script. Curiously; Hearn also did state that he took Ambidexterity courses to learn how to use both his hands during the run for Sweeney but it took long time to learn how to do it and by that time the public was already use to at last my arm is complete again.
Hearn absolutely terrific in that role but I strongly urge you to check out Len Cariou here http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JUo8LX3Iz7M
Hearn is actually better here than in the 1983 version with Angela Lansbury - and he was damned good in that one!!!
I wondered about the "right arm" too.
"In my case, self-absorption is completely justified."
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