National Lottery - 2nd November 1996. Bob Monkhouse introduces Pet singing 'With One Look' as Norma Desmond, the character she was playing at the time in Sunset Boulevard in London's West End.
I used to work in the Adelphi Theatre in London in 1996-7, Petula sang this song every night and a couple of matinees a week.....she was and still is simply a brilliant singer/actress. Her performance was always stunning.
I’ve seen several live productions of Sunset featuring Patti Lupone, Glenn Close, Petula Clarke, Rita Moreno and Betty Buckley. Of them all Petula stood out as she got the pathos, loneliness and despair of Norma like none of the others. She did not play it as a sad looney caricature. This was a woman tossed aside, by the Hollywood machine and filmgoers alike, at the height of her fame and beauty desperately wanting to retain and regain that love and adoration, not just from her fans but from herself. The delusion of Norma was portrayed as a means of protecting herself from the harsh reality of the world and as a coping mechanism. She may not have had the powerhouse vocals or high camp of Patti or Glenn but she didn’t need them. She brought authenticity, vulnerability and true mental neurosis to the stage in her performance.
Clark is stupendous! When you consider that she was famous during the time of the Beatles, it's amazing that her voice sails up to the high range with ease.
By far, the most expressive song version. Listen to the phrasing, the deliberately varied tone color and texture of her voice against the lyrics of the song, the highs and lows of the flow eg. with one look I'll ignite a blaze ....
This is interesting and unusual. Most actresses playing Norma Desmond give her a Legitimate Theatre voice with Round Tones. Petula gives her a working class American accent, which is what ended the careers of some real silent movie actresses when sound came in. It's a Lena Lamont voice, but with tragic echoes rather than comic ones, and it works very well. It gives a new dimension to Norma. She didn't just get too old, people heard her voice and the glitter all blew off in a hurricane of sound.
When 'Sunset Boulevard' with Petula Clark played at the DeVos Theater in Grand Rapids, Michigan I was so pleased with Miss Clark's performance that I wish I had a video camera. Since video cameras weren't allowed I just enjoyed Miss Clark's amazing performance. Thank you, Petula.
I never ever would have recognized Petula Clark. She loses herself in her role perfectly, setting a world-class standard that few can hope to equal. Bravo, Petula.
This is a great performance of the song - she is wonderful and that orchestra (!) - is astonishing - whatever happened to live musicians? Petula Clark is truly one of the finest female vocalists of all time!
It's so nice to see an area where there's some tolerance for differing opinions. Ms Clark is my fav but I sure did love Close & Paige as well. What really gets me is this queen "House onSunset" who has a hate thing going for Clark that borders on stalking. I'm beginning to believe he's bitter beyond words for being turned down for the part of the dead chimp ! I'm sure there are good reasons for so many Normas & I don't doubt for one moment they all passed inspection/approval by Sir Andrew!
have loved Petula Clark since Downtown I wasn't able to go see her when Sunset Boulevard hit Richmond but I did see her when Blood Brothers was here. She has always been amazing
Petula Clark is the best Norma Desmond ever---and she has had a career of excitement & excellence--based upon talent, experience, hard work, & respect for her supporters. Her fans are legion...& her life as a singer, an entertainer, actress, embody what is the art, the art of singing & telling a story. I adore her.
I saw her perform this role in the West End 20 years ago. This song alone captured one's heart. Her voice was like a bell and brought back memories of her songs in the '60s.
The very pretty and extremely talented actress, singer, dancer, entertainer, pianist, songwriter Petula Clark is excellent! Fantastic performance by Petula Clark! I am and always will be a fan of Petula Clark! It should be Dame Petula Clark! Petula Clark was a and teenage star in England! Then her hit song Downtown went to Number 1 here in the United States of America! She received the Grammy Award and more hit songs followed! Her career soared on television shows, radio, her own television show and movies and more stage performances! I was born in 1978 here in the United States. Thank you for posting and sharing this classic performance!
I love Petula - no one like her. She does what she does, and is fabulous at it. Also love Helen Schneider's German recording - terrific. But, back to Petula - Something about her voice touches me inside, gives me goosebumps. I love her voice - love the fact that the lady has survived long after others have crumbled - and with a voice amazingly young. Saw her on tour in Sunset Blvd. Her 2nd act was brilliant.
Absolutely fantastic - it was Sunset Blvd that turned me into a Petula Clark fan, and I remember watching this when it was broadcast itching to get back and see it again.
It is a marvellous song and Petula does it great justice. All other versions have sonething differfent to offer. I applaud them all especially if they are sincerely produced....
This sends a shiver down my spine whenever I hear this song, so beautifully rendered by one of my favourite female singers. She is amazing - no other word for it
J'adore, même si Glenn la chante divinement bien on ne peut pas comparer, à l'âge de Petula Clark j'aimerais chanter aussi bien et tjrs avoir une telle prestance sur scène.
I wondered also how Petula Clark would interpret this role. No one could ever had rendered a better performance than Gloria Swanson however, I've got to say Clark gives a distinct and clear impression of a silent era actress. The way she's made up, her gestures, the way she sings this song all seem to go together and give a very clear impression of a Norma Desmond. I think Clark has succeeded very well here.
Could we all be a little nicer? Petula was one of the most successful Norma's to date. He age and expereince added so much more to the role. And for those of you who are questioning her accent - she is British. Get with it why don't you.
Lots of silent film stars were Europeans...and very, very successful ones. Ronald Colman even went on to make popular sound films. He had to be dragged into sound, but his fans certainly turned him around .😊
I remember seeing this on tour and as you noticed, Petula is certainly a few years older than 50, so they changed the line near the end of the show that goes "There's nothing wrong with being 50, unless your acting 20." to "There's nothing wrong with being...your age...unless your acting 20." I always thought them changing the line made a big deal out of a non-issue. It's theatre.
Wonderful - really powerful voice, hits all the notes with ease. Does quite a naturalistic kind of Norma, not too exagerrated, not too comic (something Clark tended to veer towards). She makes you feel sorry for Norma, and actually feel sympathy for her. Magnificent performance, especially when not surrounded by the kind of sets of previous productions.
Watch Petula in "Petula Clark: Live at the Paris Olympia EXTakes Trailer" singing 'I'm not afraid'. She speak-sings musically and beautifully hits/sustains the highs till her voice reaches her head! That's magic for her audience and her! We really shd move on with her and let her do more great stuff.
I can't help falling for Clark's singing most among the Norma's I've mentioned. Brassier than her usual, it's a grow to like thing for me than love at first hearing. She has a wider range of voice colour/qualities which she employs imaginatively at different parts of the song. She also uses more interesting facial expressions/body language. My guess is, with Clark, one either finds Norma colorful with subtleties, or distracting.
she is an amazing talent..First time I heard her it wasn't kool because everyone was listening to the Beatles..But secretly I loved her and her music...Her voice strikes a chord in me...I would put Patula.And Dusty plus Cella up against any female singer in history..
GRANDE LAMAESTRA CLARK COMO CANTANTE COMPOSITORA ACTRIZ Y PIANISTA POR TODOS LOS TIEMPOS SERA ENTRE LAS GRANDES UNA GENRACION DE ORO QUE BRILLA ENLOS CIELOS
Many artistes disappear with time. Petula gets better reinventing herself: her voice bigger/more matured as Norma; her speak-singing as a technique augments the drama cleverly. She maintains head voice long by remaining performing and still hits/sustains the highs where they matter. She sounds good singing about other things today egs Autumn Leaves, latest Rod McKuen's songs. Fans shd move on with her. "She's not afraid" of that!(Paris Olympia).
How would you describe a 'Norma Desmondy' voice? I appreciated and liked each of the ladies who played this great character. It was like a modern version of Hamlet; so many different ways of playing her which made it interesting.
I saw Petula Clark play Norma in Los Angeles...she was spectacular. Each of the women who have played her have done excellent jobs at putting their own signature on the role and no body should be comparing one to the other.
wow petula is a great singers from the 60,s with songs like dont sleep in the subway and downtown but somethings just need to be untouched by such a singer.
I'm afraid I just can't see the point in finding the best performance and thrashing the other ones: I love them all, with all their differences! I might like Patty LuPone's best, but Glenn Close, Elain Paige and Petula Clark are all so wonderful, and they all add something enchanting to this song.
Petula Clark is a British woman attempting a New York accent in this production. We assume that Norma Desmond was raised in New York. Petula was 63 or 64 in this performance. I hope I have that much talent and guts at that age.
