Research Paper On Angela Lansbury

When it comes to theater productions, there are several vital factors that are needed to run a successful production. Without the presence of singers/actors, an orchestra, props, sets, costumes, conductor, director and much more, theater productions would cease to exist. However, the most important deciding factor and the center of the attention out of the entire list are actors. Many people watch theater productions to be entertained by the actors and actresses. Every other factor would be considered as a supporting casts that helps promote the actors. One of the few actresses that stand out in the theater production world is Angela Lansbury, short for her full name, Dame Angela Brigid Lansbury. Angela Lansbury is an Anglo-American, born

in October 16 1925, London, England. Lansbury is a singer and actress that appeared in many prominent theatre, television, and films. She appeared in works such as: The Manchurian Candidate, Mame, Ireland and Gypsy, Murder, She Wrote and Sweeney Todd. Lansbury is not just a “legend” but she is also an icon that people look up to. Till this day, she is still actively participating in the entertainment industry.
Angela Lansbury is talented because she is able to act and sing perfectly simultaneously.

Her role as Mrs. Lovett, in Sweeney Todd, was phenomenal. The role of Mrs. Lovett requires an extraordinary voice and sensational acting skills. Lansbury entered the acting world in 1944 and by the time the original production of Sweeney Todd started in 1979, she already had a ton of experience. When people go watch theater productions, they expect to be entertained and Lansbury was able to deliver and she won several awards for her work. Since the role of Mrs. Lovett was significant along with Sweeney Todd, if Lansbury was not able to perform at a high level, the entire production would have been a disaster. Due to her success on stage in the past, when given an opportunity to play the role of Nellie Lovett, Lansbury immediately took it. One of the reasons for the cast of Lansbury is because of her popularity among the theatre world. The production would draw in fans from all over the world because she is such a prolific

actress.
Lansbury’s singing and acting is truly incredible.

The role of Mrs. Lovett required Lansbury to sing rapid songs while multitasking, such as: making pies, dancing, running back and forth, basically she never stood still while singing, she is always moving. “Her voice is a visible voice; you can follow it amid any confusion; it is not piercing but piping” (Eder). Lansbury has an amazing wide vocal range. She was able to hit high emotional notes and speedy, fast paced notes. Lansbury also has amazing acting skills; she portrays different emotions by using her best attribute, emphasis of her voice. She goes from low to high simultaneously when she is collective, excited or angry. Lansbury’s marvelous acting and singing ability was widely recognized as she received a Tony Award for it. In 1979, Lansbury received a Tony Award for Best Actress in a Musical for Sweeney Todd. On top of that, in 1985, Lansbury was nominated but did not win for Outstanding Individual Performance in a Variety or Music Program for Sweeney Todd. This supports the claim that she is in fact, one of the biggest stars in Broadway

Theater.
Broadway theater productions are like movies. With great actors and actresses, the production/movie will receive good reviews and draw in money. Lansbury had a long career which she started in 1944 at the age of 19. She was involved in numerous television shows, movies and Broadway theater productions. “A small number of people have seen me on the stage. Television is a chance for me to play to a vast U.S. public, and I think that’s a chance you don’t pass up… I’m interested in reaching everybody. I don’t want to reach just the people who can pay forty-five or fifty dollars for a theater seat - Angela Lansbury.” (Edelman, Kupferberg) This shows that Lansbury was passionate about her work and contribution. She wanted to popularize Broadway Theater and make it known to the world. Since Lansbury is so passionate with what she does; she continued to work on more productions and achieved many more awards. Throughout her entire career, she won five Tony Awards, eighteen nominations for Emmy awards, three Academy Awards, fifteen Golden Globe Awards and won six times.